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Seed Potatoes
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moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 1:28 pm    Post subject: Seed Potatoes Reply with quote
    

It looks like I have left it too late as everywhere seems to have sold out. I have some potatoes that got left in the cupboard and chitted all by themselves but the ex says I mustn't use them if they have gone soft. Sometimes he does talk a load of BS but is he right this time?

Do they still have to be hard for me to use them?

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 2:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Absolutely not, you can use them any time you like as long as the shoots are healthy they'll be fine

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 2:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

As the potato grows it uses up the energy stored in the tuber to grow. That's why they are going soft. The bigger the shoots the softer they'll be probably. If you have the space pop some in, if you haven't the time at the moment save the firmest spuds with the shortest shoots and keep them somewhere light and pop them in when you can.

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Indeed, there are various scams people come up with for autumn and Christmas new potatoes, involving either keeping back some of your early seed potatoes, or keeping a few from the earlies harvest.

They tell you to chit in the normal way, just you need to keep even more of an eye out for aphids; but they mention that the potatoes will look quite soft and sorry for themselves by the time you plant them and you can still expect them to grow. Just reconsider if they have aphids (I doubt you have aphids in your cupboards).

SparklyWellies



Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 88
Location: Oxfordshire
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Moggins get yourself over here. I've got a bag of Desiree and a bag of Pink Firs. Enthusiastic Husband has to buy industrial sizes of everything and I've run out of room.

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mine always go soft when they chit - I thought it was cos they used up the starch they were storing.

have you tried mail order?

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Oh thanks everyone, I've been keeping them in a dark sack in the pantry but I'll get them into the light for a few days and stick them in and see what happens.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Moggins, a word of caution. Unless you're using proper seed spuds, you've got more of a chance of your crop getting a viral or fungal infection. So fine for a few in the garden or in pots, but not as good for a serious crop.

Failing that, I've got some spare pink fir apple if you send me your details. Chitted and ready to plant.

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks Cab, Wilko's have some plastic dustbins for £4 each so I'm thinking I might buy a couple of those and plant my spuds in there.

I have pm'd you

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

cab wrote:
I've got some spare pink fir apple if you send me your details. Chitted and ready to plant.


And the perfect complement to that would be a good roaster/baker, something perhaps like Duke Of York, of which I have around 12 ready chitted tubers surplus....

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I just don't know what to say, I really don't! Everyone on here constantly amazes me with their generosity in every direction. I just don't want to appear to keep taking and giving nothing in return.

I think I had better throw a party for my 40th just so I can say thank you to everyone.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Just gis yer address woman

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You should already have it as you were sending me the Fat Hen seeds too this week

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

moggins wrote:
You should already have it as you were sending me the Fat Hen seeds too this week


He says that to all the girls

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 05 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    


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