Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
Sprouting Potatoes

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own
Author 
 Message
DavidW



Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 31
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 6:19 pm    Post subject: Sprouting Potatoes Reply with quote
    

I’ve just purchased my seed potatoes from Wilkinson’s (Desiree and Pentlan Javelin), Where is the best place to keep these potatoes for them to sprout.

1. In a cold dark shed
2. In a light warm house




Thanks
David

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45384
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Neither, have you got nowhere that's light and cool?

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I keep mine in a paper bag, in the bottom of the larder. It's cool in there, and it's light when the door is opened. They seem to do OK. For the past couple of years I've sprouted seed saved from the previous years crop that way (they were bright purple spuds that I bought, and which sprouted).

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45384
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They don't need loads of light, or for it to be that cold, but a little of both will be very handy.

Erikht
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 8:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

For most people, the trick is to get them not to sprout.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Seed potatoes do need to sprout but the secret it to buy them before the shops keep them too warm and make the sprouts too long but not too soon otherwise you end up with trays of sprouting tubers covering your window sill in the unheated spare bedroom.

Tristan



Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

As long as the shed is frost-free then keep them in there until mid February then put them, eye end upwards, into egg trays, in a light, warm spot in the house for about four weeks, or the shoots are 1 inch long and purple (hopefully), then plant out under fleece.
Having said that, mine have done fine in the house, in a dark cupboard (av 25 deg C!), from Xmas to mid March, for the last three years cos our shed freezes mercury with an east wind.

Deedee



Joined: 10 Jan 2005
Posts: 250
Location: Surrey
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 05 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I normally stand mine in the recyclable type egg boxes (you know the cardboard ones) and stick them on whatever surface is free in the house not ideal but they always seem to do well..I must have a declutter someday...

Behemoth



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 05 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Not too dark as the shoots tend to be pale thin and weak. Light and cool is best. Last year I used the spare room with the radiator off. Most f my fellow plot holders seem to use their greenhouses and sheds.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com