Kitchen Garden Forum

i have arran victory, sarpo mira, setanta and roosters that will be planted from early march outside in the veg bed, i have always chitted the early potato varities but should i chitt the main and late crop potatoes

to chitt or not to chit main crop potatoes thats the question
regards
nemo

Morning Nemo

Have a look at this recent thread
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7976

You will see that some say yes and some say no

If you are planting so early (luck of the Irish ) I don't think it will make any difference.

thanks Alan

Hi Nemo,

Last night I went to my monthly "GIY Ireland" (grow it yourself) meeting in Clonakilty and heard a tip which I had never heard of before, regarding chitting.

Joy Larkcom told us that she was given this tip years ago by an old man and she has used it ever since and has had good results.

Line a seed tray with plastic and then place several sheets of newspaper onto this. Water this with Maxicrop or any seaweed based fertiliser and place your seed potatoes, onto it, on end, sprouting end up, and put them in a warm , light place. When the paper dries out re-wet it with the fertiliser.

Not exactly what you asked but I thought it was a tip worth passing on.
I'm going to try it anyway.

Regards, Gerry.

Afternoon Gerry, did Joy mention what the benefits were of doing this, i have to say i'm quite intrigued.

Afternoon Gerry - OH

I have seen it done, though not tried it myself. It gets the tuber to produce roots, presumably getting the planted tuber off to a flying start. I imagine it is best done a few weeks before planting time (whenever that is in your area).
If Joy recommends it, it's worth trying.

Thankyou both.

Good afternoon OH and Alan,

Joy gave no indication as to what this achieved and I didn't think to ask. I just assumed that it was, as you say Alan, to encourage roots to form.

Regards, Gerry.

An authoritative article strongly in favour of chitting, with arguments why - and a mention of Maxicrop.

http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/growing_show_ve ... tatoes.php

thanks everyone for your tips
regards
nemo