Chitting Potatoes: What's your approach?

[Meadowlark]

@Oliver Buckle mentioned in another thread that he had started chitting potatoes.

I've asked him to share with us here how he goes about doing that in UK....and hoping others will also share their approach to getting their seed potatoes ready for planting.

Tell us your approach to chitting potatoes, please.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I have a collection of trays that held stuff like fancy biscuits in compartments and I put them one to a compartment with the eyes upwards as far as I can see . I check as they sprout. Then they stand on the window sill in the sun room.

 

[Meadowlark]

Same here for me in Texas.

I try to start chitting about 4 weeks before time to plant. You don't want to start too early, or plants may be exposed to temp damage or start too late with plants getting off to a slow start.

Chitting, in my experience, can lead to an earlier crop, stronger plants, and more uniform sprouting.

Once chitted and a couple of days prior to planting, I cut the seed potatoes into chunks making sure to have multiple eyes in each one. I like to coat the cuts with Sulphur to prevent rot and let them dry out good. Some use wood ash to coat the cut but that can raise ph which needs to be in the 5-6 range.

It's getting that time of year in many places....any more tips to help beginners with planting potatoes?