seed potatoes

[digitS']

That's so weird. When I was talking to them at the gardening center they told me there was no reason to start/sprout the potato seeds. If they had eyes they sprout on their own.

I thought just making sure they had eyes to sprout was all you needed.

It's probably mostly to do with temperatures, V.

Many of us like to get our spuds planted very early. Now, since the foliage is frost-sensitive, that seems counter-intuitive. The thing is, until the tubers are like 45F, they are NOT going to grow. But, the seed potato should be safe from frost down there in the soil.

Home temperatures are around 70, even under the sink or wherever - it is probably warmer than 45. So, they grow . . . and you can take advantage of that earlier start by planting those that already have sprouts.

Howsomeever . . . I've had sprouts that were waaay too long to handle easily without breaking. Since they will grow new ones, may as well break the sprouts off rather than handle that spud like it's the Hope Diamond. (Something wrong with that analogy )

Be advised that store-bought spuds are nearly always treated to retard sprouting. The common chemical is one that is sprayed on the plants in the field, weeks before they are harvested. But, whatever the case, spuds from the supermarket need to be looked at with great suspicion as a source for seed.

Steve

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's so weird. When I was talking to them at the gardening center they told me there was no reason to start/sprout the potato seeds. If they had eyes they sprout on their own.

I thought just making sure they had eyes to sprout was all you needed.

I see I am the third to respond to your post. You must have hit a chord. Well done!

Just like everything else, some people at the gardening store or feed store or big box store know better than others. To be fair, though, I thought exactly the same as you. And, other than two years ago when nine of my ten mail order seed potatoes failed to sprout, I have always planted them by cutting them with at least two eyes on each potato piece, put them immediately into the ground, and had seed potatoes sprout. Maybe a difference is that they sprout, but presprouting may give better results?

I could be wrong, but I think a big reason to presprout them is to allow them to heal before you stick them in the ground so they are less likely to rot.

 

[vfem]

That's so weird. When I was talking to them at the gardening center they told me there was no reason to start/sprout the potato seeds. If they had eyes they sprout on their own.

I thought just making sure they had eyes to sprout was all you needed.

I see I am the third to respond to your post. You must have hit a chord. Well done!

Just like everything else, some people at the gardening store or feed store or big box store know better than others. To be fair, though, I thought exactly the same as you. And, other than two years ago when nine of my ten mail order seed potatoes failed to sprout, I have always planted them by cutting them with at least two eyes on each potato piece, put them immediately into the ground, and had seed potatoes sprout. Maybe a difference is that they sprout, but presprouting may give better results?

I could be wrong, but I think a big reason to presprout them is to allow them to heal before you stick them in the ground so they are less likely to rot.

Well, I may have to watch mine. My last 2 plantings I didn't pre-sprout. But then again it could be the humidity and temps where I live. I did ask locally, so I probably got a local answer at the time I asked.

Then again, I did do what you did. Most of my potato seeds I cut myself from store bought. I had between 2-3 eyes on each piece before I let them 'scab'. Then I planted them after they rested for about 5 days.

Digits is right though, I don't fear frost killing them underground, so this early I don't have threats. We also have 40+ degree nights now. Our last frost danger is APril 15th, but having the potatoes in buckets I just cover anything in danger.

We all live and learn.