Chitting potatoes: they are slow to sprout

Yorky

I started chitting some seed potatoes six weeks ago and they seem to very slow to sprout. I put them in a cool, bright place away from frost (garage windowcill).

All of the information I have read suggests they will be ready to sow after six weeks when the sprouts will be about 2cm long. Most of mine are not even 1cm - please see atached photographs .

Should I wait until they are 2cm long or would they be alright to sow now?


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1050060.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1050060.jpg


Also, is it alright to cut some of the seed potatoes in half in order not to overcrowd some containers and/or make up a shortfall for other containers?

Thanks in advance.

Aeneas

Yorky wrote: »

I started chitting some seed potatoes six weeks ago and they seem to very slow to sprout. I put them in a cool, bright place away from frost (garage windowcill).

All of the information I have read suggests they will be ready to sow after six weeks when the sprouts will be about 2cm long. Most of mine are not even 1cm - please see atached photographs .

Should I wait until they are 2cm long or would they be alright to sow now?


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1050060.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1050060.jpg


Also, is it alright to cut some of the seed potatoes in half in order not to overcrowd some containers and/or make up a shortfall for other containers?

Thanks in advance.

Your potatoes are fine. Spuds don't actually need chitting, although the therory is that it gives them a better start. They will grow anyway when you put them in the ground. In my view it's better to have short, strong shoots than long weak ones that break when you plant the tuber. Some people plant on St Patrick's Day. Personally I leave it another week.

Yorky

I planted them all today but ran out of rigid containers so used fertiliser and compost bags for some of them. I'm concerned about frost over the next couple of weeks so I put them all on the greenhouse footpaths temporarily.

When I move them back out, will the movement of the compost in the bags affect the potato root system?

Do I need to worry about frost affecting them when they're not in the ground and at this time of year? If not, I could put them outside now.

Yorky

Thanks. Another question is watering - I've read conflicting views as to the frequency and volume. Should I water daily with a sprinkling of water?