Can anyone help a novice ....

I have just received my 4 x potato pods along with 4 varieties of potatoes. I was hoping to start them off at 1 month intervals but I notice that all the tubers have small white shoots already. Is there any was that I can store them until ready to plant without wasting them

Also, the first batch I am going to plant have the white shoots. Should I take these off bbefore I set them to chit, or, are these the start of the main shoots and should I leave them on in that case?:cnfs: I was going to keep them in an egg box in the kitchen initially.

Hope all this makes sense.

Cheers
Salgor

 

I reckon you need to get planting. March is the time to plant earlies, and even main crop should be in by mid April (IIRC).

However, once they are "ready" for harvest, you will have several weeks to dig them up and use them ... so that will provide some continuity of cropping, particularly if your 4 varieties are spread between First Earl and Second Early (and even, maybe, main crop or Salad spuds).

Yes, the little shoots are the growing buds, so don't take them off. Its important they don't get too long (otherwise its easy to break them when you plant them), and that's partly what chitting does - provides enough light that the shoots grow slowly, rather than getting really leggy "reaching out" for the light - which they would do if you just put them in a draw - or on the shelf in the Garden Centre :( :( so pop them in egg boxes, shoots / buds uppermost, in a cool-ish but well lit spot, and plant as soon as you can.

(If you are not sure whether you have First Earlies or whatever post a list of the varieites here and I expect some kind soul will tell you what they are)

 

Thanks muchly!! I have Vales Emerald, Charlotte, Romano . and King Edwards. I think I will take your advice and start them all chitting and get them in as soon as they are ready. Afterall, I can harvest them and then store back in the growing bags in some sawdust (is that appropriate material for keeping them in?).

 

Vales Emerald = First Early
Charlotte = salad potato
Romano = Second Early or an early Main crop
King Edwards = Main crop

I wouldn't delay - although you can store them, the greater risk is Blight - which comes quite late in the season - so earlier harvests help to avoid blight. Of course, this year we are going to have a bone-dry scorcher, so you'll be fine <Thud!>

 

Hi,

Read the other posting--Seed potatoes and chitting by Steve R.

That should answer you question!

Anyway get planting right away.

Good digging!