Early Potatoes

Hi All I purchased some Charlotte pots a bit late and have followed the advice of Chitting them. I have them in the conservatory in the obligatory egg box on the shelf, so lots of light. I have had them around 4 weeks now and the sprouts are still tiny, 2-5 mm.The pots are starting to go soft but not wrinkly.
I think you plant out around end of April??
Would you still leave them to produce good sprouts even if it means planting say early May or just go ahead and plant them in around 3 weeks. Am I doing right as far a position and light is concerned for these earlies??
Thank you

 

Hiya trogre.

I would normally be planting them out mid April. This year however is not 'normal'! The ground is still very cold, so I will wait probably until the end of this month. The thing is that they only take a couple of weeks or so (once planted) to get above ground, at which point they have to be 'earthed up' to avoid being frosted. Others here may well have a different opinion, all valid. A lot depends on your locality, and the unfolding weather, which at the moment ain't great!

 

Sounds spot on. The chits should not grow long (if they do it means they have not got enough light)

Also normal, they are using on some energy. Misting them with some water daily (at least) will slow down the rather at which they get wrinkly.

Plant them as soon as the soil is warm enough - which is unlikely to be soon around here!