Chitting

What would folk advise regarding rubbing off some of the sprouting eyes when chitting potatoes? If some are to be rubbed off, is it done just before planting or when they are visible, and how many shoots should one leave? These are Pink Fir Apple going into barrels. MD

 

I would say that 3 eyes are enough. If you were growing for Roasters you might remove more eyes (to get bigger spuds), and if you were growing for New Potatoes you might leave, say, upto to 5 on to get smaller spuds.

Rub off when you plant. They'll just grow back if you do it whilst they are chitting (and they may grow back if you do it when they are planted - there is a school of thought that you need to dig them out with a knife, or to pull up the shoots that grow instead / in addition, but I'm not that fanatical about it myself!)

 

I don't worry about it Critical.
I just plant them as they do it themselves. The results are fine for me.

 

I have to admit that this is my school of thought too... If there are loads, then take a few off, other than that, I spend more of my time worrying about whether Im earthing up at the right time

 

Hi all, first time on (not quite true, it's a long story) anyway I am also chitting my spuds and was also wondering about the No of eyes to leave. You say you are planting in tubs, cr1tical, tell me how many seeds do you put in? and how or when do plant the different types ie Earlies, Main crop, Lates, etc

 

Thanks for the thoughts - I'll leave most of them on - I'm aiming for small pots for salads.
Cothey2 - I put 5 seed pots in a tub that is about the same diameter as a standard dustbin, seems to produce the goods OK.

 

Thanks cr1tical 5 was the figure I had in mind but thought mayby too many. Thanks.

 

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