Chitting

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by dogsbody, Apr 20, 2023.

  1. dogsbody

    dogsbody Gardener

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    I've just bought some Desiree seed potatoes. Is it necessary to chit them or can they go into the ground as bought ?
     
    dogsbody, Apr 20, 2023
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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Best to chit them
     
    JWK, Apr 20, 2023
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  3. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I thought Desiree was maincrop.
    Cant see the point in chitting them unless you want to remove some shoots before planting.
     
    pete, Apr 20, 2023
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  4. Freddy

    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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    I always chitted mine when I grew them (earlies). Many years ago I grew some maincrops, I probably chitted those too. I realise that chitting is the accepted traditional way of doing it, but does it actually really make any difference? Genuine question.
     
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      Freddy, Apr 20, 2023
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Yes chitting improves yield for earlies through to main crop. Always worth doing.
       
      JWK, Apr 20, 2023
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      How?
      Just asking.:smile:
      I thought it mostly promoted earliness.
       
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        pete, Apr 20, 2023
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        upload_2023-4-20_22-26-16.png
         
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          JWK, Apr 20, 2023
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          That leaflet is from 1969 and aimed at commercial growers, things may have changed since then! Basically the benefits of chitting earlies are well proven, but with maincrop it depends if you are in an area likely to get potato blight. By chitting you get an earlier harvest of maincrop and so can avoid issues with blight (that hits later in the season). It's also beneficial for maincrop in northern climates where the growing season is shorter. Some varieties are naturally late maturing and hence likely to taken out by blight as well.
           
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            JWK, Apr 20, 2023
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Thanks John, I was under the impression that something that is going to take 3 months and often left in the ground longer than that wouldn't benefit.
            Interesting. :blue thumb:
             
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              pete, Apr 21, 2023
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