Where should I put'chitting' seed potatoes

[maverick451]

Hi Guys

My seeds potatoes just arrived, I know I have to chit them but im not sure where to put them for best results.

I have a few options

Unheated greenhouse problem is I live a cold valley and its getting below freezing most nights in there.

Shed - I imagine its a tad warmer than the greenhouse?

Conservatory - its centrally heated and used alot to watch TV so quite warm in there.

Thanks

[Nicola.P]

Right or wrong mine are in the living room by the window.

[Penellype]

Mine are in the spare bedroom where it is quite warm. I would think the greenhouse is the worst option as there are huge temperature swings if it is sunny. The shed should be ok if it is frost free, but put them near the window or they will produce long, fragile white shoots instead of short green ones.

[arpoet]

Mine are in egg boxes on the top of the tall fridge/freezer. Tops of kitchen cupboards/units are a good place too.

[Chippy Minton]

Mine are in the garage on the window sills (frosted windows). Get's chilly in there but not freezing and it's light. I usually get chits, but probably not the 1" recommended, but I still end up with spuds. I would have thought the one's in the house were a bit warm?

In answer to the question posed I guess I'd say shed.

[Kristen]

Unheated greenhouse problem is I live a cold valley and its getting below freezing most nights in there.

Needs to be frost free

Shed - I imagine its a tad warmer than the greenhouse?

Reasonably well lit by the window?

Conservatory - its centrally heated and used alot to watch TV so quite warm in there.

Too warm

Spare bedroom?, preferably chilly

[Alison]

Mine are in egg boxes on the top of the tall fridge/freezer. Tops of kitchen cupboards/units are a good place too.

Would have thought it was a bit warm there, use the heat from the top of my freezer to prove bread if I do it my hand. Would be worried about the top of cupboards being too dark too giving you spindly chits rather than the nice stocky ones but will obviously depend on the room.

[maverick451]

I could put them in the greenhouse during the day and into the shed at night? would that ok?

[Bigmallly]

How confusing............Quote from How To Grow Potatoes | How To Chit Seed Potatoes |
"Chitting is basically another word for sprouting. What you do when you chit your seed potatoes is basically to speed up the ageing process of the potato, by exposing it to light and, more importantly, a bit of warmth. This will cause the eyes of the seed potato to start sprouting. The sprouts should be small, knobbly, and green/purple in colour. If you end up with long, white coloured sprouts, it means there’s not enough light, or you’re sprouting shop bought potatoes."

Personally, I'm not bothered if they chit or not. To quote a famous Grape "Where's Tom the commercial grower, I've not seen him for 2 weeks?" "He'll be chitting his Potatoes".................

[Nannysally99]

Mine are in the cupboard under the stairs, cold and dark

[Bigmallly]

They deffo need light Sal.

[Kristen]

I could put them in the greenhouse during the day and into the shed at night? would that ok?

Yes, bit of a faff though ...

They'll be happy in the shed (i.e. little/no light) for a day or three if you get very cold weather and you can't put them in the greenhouse for a few days.

[Kristen]

How confusing ... more importantly, a bit of warmth

I have a few Rocket and some Arran Pilot which are my earliest earlies, and they are on the Kitchen windowsill, which is warm , chitting as I want to plant them in containers in mid Feb, so they might as well get on with it and start sprouting.

The rest are in the conservatory at around 5C and will barely move for the next month (although its bright in there, so any growth that is made will avoid being thin, weak and spindly )

[Guest]

Hi Guys
I know I have to chit them but....

You don't have to chit. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...hit_82708.html
It seems to be more what people are used to and traditions rather than results

[Nannysally99]

They deffo need light Sal.

Thanks Mal,