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Splitting seed potatoes ?
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:41 pm
by skeast
So I have just brought some seed potatoes, they are already sprouting and I plan to put them into sacks and keep them under my carport/porch until it warms up a little, then have them anywhere I can find room !
Soooo, they each have several eyes on, am I right in thinking I can chop them up a bit, maybe so there are only 2-3 eyes on each part and then plant them ? do they need to dry out or anything ?
Any advice ?
Thanks
Sarah
Re: Splitting seed potatoes ?
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:07 pm
by diggernotdreamer
Hi Sarah,
If I split potatoes, I do it at the time of planting, making sure you get an eye on each piece, the only drawback is that it can appeal to slugs or eelworms, so I dip the cut ends into diamatacious earth or woodash.
I said this in another thread that, as it is getting late in the season, I would put my spuds into some compost so as they start some roots, I have done this a lot over the years and they grow really well, I think it is a better way to do it than just ordinary chitting,
Re: Splitting seed potatoes ?
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:39 pm
by Odsox
I wouldn't put them into sacks in the dark if I were you. They will develop long white spindly shoots that will try to grow through the sacking making it very difficult to get them out again.
If you're not going to plant them they need to be put in a reasonably light place so they develop short, fat, green shoots.
I agree with DND, they should be cut when you plant them. If you do it now they will probably lose moisture and shrivel.
Re: Splitting seed potatoes ?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:36 pm
by doofaloofa
Considering the relative cheapness of seed spuds is there any great benefit to cutting them?
Are they more like to become diseased if cut?
Re: Splitting seed potatoes ?
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:59 pm
by Biscombe
A trick in the Spanish Civil War to make the crop go further!