New potatoes for christmas

[Kimbo]

Can I use some of this years crop to use as seed potatoes to try and get some spuds in pots ready for christmas? If so do I have to chit them?

[valmarg]

According to OH yes you do need to chit the potatoes. I have been trying to persuade him (aka nagging) to put some in tubs for Christmas, and his excuse is that they need to be chitted.

valmarg

[Kimbo]

I'll get them chitting straight away - I am going to grow them in tubs in the greenhouse so hopefully should get some for christmas (I have plenty of fleece at the ready just in case)

[Flummery]

I understood that they didn't need to be. Could be wrong (it has been known!)

[JennieAtkinson]

Kimbo - what are you using? Salads or an Early?

I have no idea of how to answer your question, but if its salads I might still have some left to give it a try!

[Kimbo]

an early - pentland javelin I think I still have some charlottes left as well

[terrier]

I think it is more as to what type of potatoes you use. Earlies crop faster than lates so I believe. So if you are planting main crop for Christmas you may not get many good spuds. I put some shop bought salad spuds in tubs about 6 weeks ago without chitting them and now the foliage is about twice as high as the tubs and looking really healthy. It seems that just putting them into soil makes them sprout, or maybe I was just lucky!

[love-my-plot]

Chitting isn't neccessary

[Alison]

Don't grow pots (although grow lots of things in them ...................) but from what I understand, you don't actually need to chit (although loads of people swear blind that you do) but you do get the advantage of seeing that they've started to sprout and therefore you can throw away any duds etc. You have, however, also got to find the space to put the damn things during the chitting process.

[valmarg]

Chitting isn't neccessary

Oh dear, It seems to be one of those things that you can, but you don't have to do

Anyway, I've had the pleasure of telling OH he was wrong. Just keeps him on his toes!!

valmarg

[moggssue]

I planted half a dozen maris pipers last week (I know, I know, toooo late!!) without chitting, never gave it a thought to be honest, so will report back when and if they crop!

[love-my-plot]

I've had the pleasure of telling OH he was wrong. Just keeps him on his toes!!
valmarg

It's just one of those things ... I've found they do just as well without chitting.
Moggsue, I have maris peers on the go, since a couple of weeks back. Ordered from fothergills for planting August ... so hopefully they'll do ok.
I haven't done them this time of year before so fingers crossed

[moggssue]

lovemyplot - I got mine from the same place! Did you chit yours? This is definitely a first for me so everything is crossed here (especially with blight around).

[Mozzi]

I got some Carlingford from Dobies, and the instructions said plant straight away, do not chit.

The ones in the patio tubs had broken through the soil in a week, the ones on the allotment took 2 weeks to show, but they are coming along well.

[clckwork]

Have tried to get some seed potatoes to plant ready for Christmas but everywhere seems to be sold out. Anyone know of anywhere that still has any, Please.

Thanks,
John