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Post by ohiorganic on Apr 26, 2007 5:56:32 GMT -5
Do you all chit (cut up) your spuds before planting? If so how long before pplanting do you do this?
I have been told by Mainers to chit at least a week before planting but have found we can do this out in he field as we plant (not he most effecient way to chit but someimes chit happens ;D). Generally we will chit a day or two ahead of planting.
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Post by Alan on Apr 26, 2007 9:45:13 GMT -5
wow I had no clue that cutting potatoes was called that (sounds like a combination of chicken and their manure).  Anyhow, I cut mine up a day or two before hand and they always do well. Usually I try to have two "eyes" on each piece of seed potato I plant. -Alan |
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Post by ohiorganic on Apr 26, 2007 13:19:52 GMT -5
Ya learn somthing new everyday ;D
The first time I saw the term I thought the person was swearing but was really out of context. It was on a forum that will not allow banned words (not iDig) so I assumed they were substiuting a "C" for an "S" at first.
Looks like we will be chitting tomorrow so we can plant this weekend if the soil is dry enough to work
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Post by houseodessey on Apr 26, 2007 14:29:50 GMT -5
I thought you were supposed to chit a couple of days before planting, too. In my case, I chitted and then the spud pieces sat around for almost 2 weeks before I got a chance to plant them. The plants are thriving and look great but I have no idea what's going on with the tubers. I'll let you know how it turns out.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Apr 26, 2007 22:37:58 GMT -5
I only cut up tubers that are larger than 2-1/2 inches in length. And let them heal over for about 3 days or more. Seems I've heard that there are less problems with rot this way?
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Post by johno on Apr 27, 2007 18:13:09 GMT -5
I used to cut 'em up, but I seem to have better luck when I just plant them whole. Or maybe that's just a rationalization so I don't have to bother?... Anyway, I just plant whatever kind we happen to have in the kitchen that are getting a little old. It's a staggered harvest that way, and I like surprises...
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Apr 27, 2007 22:31:37 GMT -5
The surprise that I planted that way last year was a big flop at our house Johno. Don't know what was wrong with it, but Bob just hated it compared to the Yukon Gold's. Probably all that was wrong with it. It was lacking in texture and natural buttery flavour?
This year, I'm planting some red potatoes that are sprouting up a storm as well as Yukon Gold seed of my own. But you never know..If they have little $1.00 bags of seed taters in the grocery store again this year, I just might be forced to try something different..this time with previous knowledge of the variety to I don't make mistakes by harvesting too soon? Or using it for boiling when it should have been baked.
Anyone ever use sulphur powder to dust their potatoes for winter storage OR after cutting them in preparation to plant?
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Post by Tom Akers on May 2, 2007 1:26:09 GMT -5
I was taught to always put them in a bag, after chitting???, with some sulfur and shake them gently to completely cover them and let them dry for a couple of days before planting. No more than 2 sprouts per chit. Don't always use the small ones that you have left or they will be all small.
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Post by Alan on Aug 23, 2007 23:03:39 GMT -5
My family always has cut our seed potatoes, my grandma was a stickler for the two eyes on each piece thing, however I just planted 250 lbs about a week an a half ago and it was so dry I was afraid to cut them up for fear of rot and loosing thier moisture content so I planted them whole, they set for 9 days without water and they came through the soil! I was so relieved! I finally got them 450 gallons of pond water the other day, I hope that helps them, I think "chitting" to get more tubers is a great idea in the wet spring of the year, but I think planting for fall in the hot, dry part of august, particularly in a drought year with a record streak of 100 degree plus weather, it would probably be a bad idea to chit, just my belief, but I think if you cut them up they would dry out to much.
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Post by Alan on Aug 23, 2007 23:04:44 GMT -5
by the way, i've never heard of the sulpher thing, what is that supposed to do?
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Post by downinmyback on Aug 23, 2007 23:39:38 GMT -5
It keep the potato from rotting as the cut side is easily infected with rot
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Post by doccat5 on Dec 30, 2007 11:32:27 GMT -5
I have always followed the 2 eye per spud thing. And I've heard of use the sulphur on them to help protect from rot. I usually let them "harden" for a couple of day, you can see the callous forming on the cuts. Then start laying them out. I haven't "planted" potatoes in the ground for years. We use oak leaves and straw as the soil. I've found we have little in the way of pest problems, great production and no more tater fork ouchies! Plus you can rob the patch more easily and they just keep on coming! When their done, we just rake back the cover for the compost bin and start harvesting. Easier on an old woman's back....LOL
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Post by sandbar on Dec 31, 2007 20:42:20 GMT -5
Normally, a week is plenty after cutting them up, IMHO. Three to four days should be sufficient.
Do not plant freshly cut taters in the ground. You'll be lucky if ANYTHING comes up ... don't ask me how I know ...
However, last spring, I cut mine up and then it was almost two weeks before I got them in the ground ... that was too long ... some of them looked pretty bad ... I still had a good harvest, though!
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Post by flowerpower on Jan 1, 2008 7:41:12 GMT -5
I always pick out the smallest seed potatoes when I buy them. Then I do not have to cut them up. Yield is excellent.
I wonder if the word "chit" is short for "chop it"?
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Post by paquebot on Jan 17, 2008 1:00:29 GMT -5
Chitting has nothing to do with cutting. It's pre-sprouting, either seeds or potatoes. With potatoes, it's allowing a sprout to begin growing. It's an assurance that one isn't planting a piece with an eye that may have frozen or otherwise dead for any reason. Takes about a week or so of the pieces being laid out in a warm place and the sprouts begin showing up.
Martin
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Anyhow, I cut mine up a day or two before hand and they always do well. Usually I try to have two "eyes" on each piece of seed potato I plant.
