To chit or not to chit...that is the question!!

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Hi again!

Got the following seed potatoes on Thursday 21st =

6 kgs of Dunluce for earlies
3 kgs of Sante for maincrop
1 Kg of Valour for lates
1 kg of Maris Peer secong early, to try for first time
6 only Rooster for Roasting

I potted up on Thursday, 9 Dunluce in pots with peat and placed in the hotpress.
I first gave them a soaking in water for about an hour and as some had buds these were placed bud down into the pure peat, then the pots were placed on a seed tray and enclosed in a poly bag, to keep the moisture in!

The water and the heat in the hot press is to kick start them into making roots, not sprouts at this stage.
On checking at 15.00hours today Sunday, all have got roots showing, two I am unable to lift from the compost as they are firmly rooted.
I will place them on the greenhouse bench tomorrow to make shoots, and the poly bag will be removed!

These will be planted in a wooden framed cloche as soon as they have shoots about half an inch in length.

This was prepared in early December, dug over, manure placed deep down, compost dug in and covered with fleece and bubble wrap and the glass cover put on.

The other Dunluce will not be put up for chitting untill mid Februart at the earliest as I do not want them making top growth too soon!

Cheers for now!

 

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Hello -Marley Farley

A hotpress is where the hot water cylinder is and where the towels are kept warm!

I also germinate the seeds in pots and trays there as well, my wife usually has a few moans about taking over her space but usually it is only for a few days (week)!

I don't bother putting any other seed potatoes into pots with peat.

The next lot to go in goes under a large poly sheet and also the ridges are covered with fleece at first.
The reason I got two bags of Dunluce is that I start diggin them when they are quite small in the spring and some times I have to dig up two plants to get a meal from them at first!

Although I grow some Roosters, my wife only uses these as roasters,as they distingerate when boiled with her!

Cheers!