do i need to chit potatoes?

[Scott Mersey]

do i need to chit seed potatoes?

 

[skywise012000]

Up until this year I've never bothered to chit potatoes, I've just bunged them in the ground and they've always done fine.

This winter though I've read so many articles in gardening magazines on how essential it is the chit the seed potatoes that I'm trying it out. So far it looks as if the sprouts are growing nicely but I assume that they'd have done that in the soil anyway so . . . . . .

Anyway, I'll be planting them out in the the middle of April, as usual, and waiting to see if the chitting actually has any effect. I'm using Cara again this year because I've always had good yields from them in the past so it'll be interesting to see what happens.

So, I suppose, the answer to your question is chit or not, it's entirely up to you.

 

[daylily]

Not if they already have healthy sprouts. If they don't, chit by spreading them in a single layer, with the most sprouts facing upward, in a well-lit, warm place until the sprouts are at least 1/2" long. Then cut and plant as usual.

VCE Master Gardener

 

[Dowlinggram]

As far as I'm concerned you don't need to sprout (chit) potatoes at all. We have been growing potatoes for 40 years and my husbands parents before us and we have never sprouted potatoes at all. The only benefit I can see to the practice is the potatoes may be a week or so earlier.

This must be a strictly English practice because I had never heard of it until I came on this site. Anyone I know who plants Potatoes simply plants small seed potatoes whole or cuts up larger ones leaving at least 3 eyes per piece and lets the cut ends dry and callus over for a week or 2. After they are callused over they are planted cut side down with no sprouts.

So suit yourself do it or don't do it. In my opinion it's not necessary but you do what you are most comfortable doing

 

[Spike]

If you are going to grow them then yes you do ot buy them already done.

 

[Kayla Lowe]

whats chit?