Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
Posted by
AiliDeSpain 6a (
My Page) on
Mon, Mar 4, 13 at 9:47
Hopefully this potato question won't spark a debate ;)
Do you cut seed potatoes before or after chitting?
Getting ready to chit mine and want to see what everyone recommends.
TIA! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| I do it before so the cut edge has time to dry and seal too. I find that planting fresh cuts increases rotting and soil pest damage. Plus that way I don't waste space planting cuts that never sprouted. Dave |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
first off chitting seed potatoes has no benefit of an earlier crop or greater production. Second chitting is antiquated method only really used by old gardener or stupid British gardeners.
third cut seed potatoes is done first and the cut parts need to be let dry before planting. If you were to cut seed potatoes you really would want them unchitted. as for chitting see above.
several large organization have done test to see if chitting had a benefit. all found no real benefit. they include rhs, US department agriculture, horticulture, rodale organic group among others. |
This post was edited by thegreatcob on Mon, Mar 4, 13 at 11:19
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
- Posted by glib 5.5 (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 4, 13 at 13:06
| At any rate, for a faster sealing of the cut, dip the cut part in wood ash. It is too alkaline for rot to set in. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| Thank you for the information. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| Thanks for the gratuitous insult, thegreatcob. Charming. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| thegreatcob is chitting on you flora! LOL I couldn't resist! I don't actually chit mine, but I do spread them out for a few day's in a lighted place without direct sun to let them start sprouting a little so that I can see where I need to cut them. If the eyes aren't obvious you can cut them wrong. I cut them and let them cure for about a week before planting. Sometimes longer if the weather acts up and I can't plant. I check for any fungus or spoiling on them every day. I cut off any fungus, keep a watch, and toss the ones that are spoiling. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| you tell him flora uk , i grown potatoes in uk for 25 years and never cut any just put them in whole and chitted , only when i came to usa that i see lots of post saying cut the potato even usa potato seed seller tell you to cut them to get more for your money , to me cutting them loses the vigor and strength of the tuber imho , from a stupid brit in usa lol :P |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| People in Maine know potatoes - read this link. |
Here is a link that might be useful: U of Maine potato publication
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| Sorry Allie. Especially since you made a point of asking so politely. One rude individual is capable of posting insults only and blowing any attempts at civil conversation. Hope you got the info you were seeking. Dave |
This post was edited by digdirt on Mon, Mar 4, 13 at 16:01
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| Yup, you want to cut early, as you want to give them several days if not a week or two to completely scab over from the cut before you plant them. In all honesty though, unless you've got a baking potato sized tuber, you don't need to cut it. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| Jonfrum - a very useful link! Thanks. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| I've cut potatoes and planted them the same day without problem. That doesn't mean you shouldn't dry them, but not doing so doesn't mean disaster. Just dusting them in a fungicide like sulfur will probably do the job. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
flora_uk i stated only stupid gardeners but did not know you were stupid till you admitted it.
Even rhs admits chitting advice was an old wives tale. oldpot the tubers do not lose vigor if cut them.
second cutting the seed tubers makes them go farther. third they cut tubers in the old uk garden info saw from the dig for victory era during ww2. but then again so much UK
garden advice is not based on fact but old practice and beliefs. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| Yes Cob/Grid is a very charming poster on several forums where he is received equally graciously by all there. Potatoes, yes let them start to sprout, nothing fancy, just move them out of storage into warmer and brighter surroundings. Cut 24-36 hours before planting so they can harden but not shrivel up, which they will do if you cut too soon. Plant cut side down.
If you can pick out your seed stock by hand choose small spuds that will not need cutting. Irish Eyes actually has these as a separate order which is nice. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| I am doing an experiment with seed potatoes received on the same day because I've never planted potatoes and I liked the idea of being able to watch them grow. I cut half of them, and let them cure for 2 days before planting. The others have been chitting in a windowsill. They've been growing very slowly -- just small 1/8" long sprouts after about 3 weeks. I'll probably plant them this weekend. Does anyone know how long it takes between planting them and when they will start to grow? It's been about 3-4 weeks now and no sign of life from the ones I've planted outside in SmartPots (temps have been between 45 (night) - 70 (day) for the past month). I think I've been doing a good job of keeping the soil moist, I hope they're still okay under there! |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| It depends how deep you planted. I plant shallowly with a bulb planter so I can hill up when they emerge. Since I have a weed problem in the field I need to hoe a lot. 
Pic before inserting in ground. This year I will use a transplanter instead of the bulb planter so I don't have to bend. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| I'm jealous. If I cut a seed potato the voles will sniff it out in two days! All mine must be thoroughly greened up and whole if they are to stand a chance. Our vole situation is steadily improving with the feline help, but meanwhile I've had to give up cutting seed potatoes. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
| I didn't know it was called chitting but I guess that is what I do and after I cut them, I let them scab over a bit for up to a week to help prevent rot. So far so good. My big problem is, I get too greedy and cut pieces too small. I saw something on YouTube the other day that leads me to believe my pieces are too small and I need not cut up the potato in so many pieces. |
RE: Cutting seed potatoes
| | |
Well let's clarify. Chitting means sprouting. Taking them out of storage and letting them be in light and warmth. THEN you can cut them after they start to get sprouts. All instructions say to leave them 1 -2 days before planting so the cut can harden and not rot.
See link for diagram of cutting. Scroll down page. |
Here is a link that might be useful: ronnigers potatoes
Post a Follow-Up
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in.
If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
