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Over the past few days, I've seen references to chitting potatoes in current threads.
There have been numerous threads over the years about chitting.
For those that haven't had my tuppence worth on this before (and apologies once again to those who have) chitting makes no difference - to the ultimate crop. It may encourage a slightly earlier crop but essentially chitting is simply a way of controlling the growth of the potato sprouts before planting. Commercial growers keep their seed potatoes in carefully controlled conditions and low temperatures for that are essential. We lesser mortals don't have temperature controlled warehouse conditions however and for most of us, keeping the seed potatoes indoors is the only way we have of protecting them from frost. If kept in the dark with even the slightest amount of heat, long spindly easily broken sprouts will develop. However, if kept in open light, the sprouts/chits which develop, will be small, stubby and robust and they will keep in that state until suitable planting conditions are available.
Do I chit my seed potatoes? Depends on when I buy them. If bought within 10 - 14 days of my intended planting date, I don't bother. If bought earlier I do but simply to prevent long sprouts developing.
Potatoes not set up to chit before planting will catch up.
There have been numerous threads over the years about chitting.
For those that haven't had my tuppence worth on this before (and apologies once again to those who have) chitting makes no difference - to the ultimate crop. It may encourage a slightly earlier crop but essentially chitting is simply a way of controlling the growth of the potato sprouts before planting. Commercial growers keep their seed potatoes in carefully controlled conditions and low temperatures for that are essential. We lesser mortals don't have temperature controlled warehouse conditions however and for most of us, keeping the seed potatoes indoors is the only way we have of protecting them from frost. If kept in the dark with even the slightest amount of heat, long spindly easily broken sprouts will develop. However, if kept in open light, the sprouts/chits which develop, will be small, stubby and robust and they will keep in that state until suitable planting conditions are available.
Do I chit my seed potatoes? Depends on when I buy them. If bought within 10 - 14 days of my intended planting date, I don't bother. If bought earlier I do but simply to prevent long sprouts developing.
Potatoes not set up to chit before planting will catch up.
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