Spuds, will this work?

[roitelet]

i thought that I would try and grow some new potatoes for late in the year, Christmas perhaps.

What I intended to do was this. Use the tomato rings and stand them on slate. Start them off outside and then move them into the tunnel later when it begins to get a bit chilly. I was going to reuse the tomato compost sifted with added fertilizer. Also I was going to use some of the small Charlottes that were a bit green as seed.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

[Penellype]

Will the Charlottes produce shoots? I've stored Charlotte until late October without them sprouting so you may need to chit them first. I don't know if the seed potatoes you buy for Christmas spuds have been treated somehow to make them sprout at this time of year.

[roitelet]

I've left a few out in the light, if they sprout I'll plant them. From what I have read the ones they sell for late planting are the same ones that they sell for spring just kept at lower temperatures.

[Jungle Jane]

Last year when I was harvesting some first earlies,I just left some in the bag,in the autumn I put the bag on a chair,kept covering the foliage,when the temps dropped I wrapped the whole lot in fleece,about 3m of fleece,so it was thick & snug. So they can regrow,it's like when you forget to harvest them all & in winter you notice potato plants appearing in odd places (add more potato fertiliser,I forgot!)

[Bill HH]

I have done xmas spuds two years running, starting them off outside and then moving them into the GH when the tomatoes are done. Both years were dissapointing regarding yield, shorter days and colder temps probably. I wont bother this year.

[roitelet]

Beginning to have second thoughts.

[Snow]

I grew some last year, Vivaldi that were planted about this time. They began to look unwell in late October so I cut them and was expecting nothing. I turned the pots out and got a surprisingly good harvest. It was warmer last year mind you.

I am planning on doing the same this year. I would plant now if I could but not sure they will sprout. They are just ones that I harvested over the last month. I put them in the fridge for a week then took them out. Some are on the windowsill and others in a cardboard box with no light. Not sure what will work, if either. The windowsill ones are turning green, so I am guessing this is not a problem.

What I would like to know is whether you actually need them to sprout, or whether planting them now will work. I may test one out and see. I'll be reusing spent compost with some added fertilizer.

[Elfeda]

I have already planted couple of weeks ago. and all of them growing . they 2nd early veriety. any suggetions how to care them outside ?

[jackarmy]

Beginning to have second thoughts.

Nah roitelet,
dont give up before you even started , carry on and give it a go .
Ive been reading a lot of late and i checked out the main suppliers ( none in stock plus pretty xpensive i thought but not a regular tattie grower at all ) 2nd earlies reccomended apparently)
Anyway, what i read is supermarket tatties ( all depending on when they were harvested ) will sprout if ready and Marris peer come highly reccomended, sooooooooooo.........

My sprouting peers via lidl are about to go in, if it works it works and happy days, if it fails what have we lost ? not a lot says i and as far as im concerned anything that makes me think its not winter is good

Time is precious but if its used and not wasted then trying anything is good no ?

now where was that car park ?

[roitelet]

OK will give it a go. Found two Charlottes that were sprouting in the last lot that I bought, one Cherie and one of my own Charlottes that has a tiny sprout. So one to a big flower bucket, thanks Nicos, old tomato compost with added extras and away I go!! One tuber in a pot.

[Lumpy]

I put this in the wrong section - see I am getting worse with age.