uh oh....ginormous potato sprouts!! What to do?

[Mirabelle Plum]

I just checked on my seed potatoes in a cool/dark place in my finished basement (a closet surrounded in cement that stays nice & cool). Looked like a science experiment gone wrong. On my Rose Golds, I have huge sprouts, up to 6 inches long, and the potatoes are slightly wrinkled. What to do?!!

My Yukons are still firm with tiny sprouts on two of them. Need advice, guys!! I was really excited about growing potatoes this year...

 

[lesa]

What is your weather like? Are you covered in snow, or could you get them in the ground now? What about planting them in barrels in a garage?

 

[Mirabelle Plum]

I'm in zone 7, Alabama. I was planning on doing them in raised beds but I can switch that to cans in basement. Think I should plant now? Will the wrinkled slightly soft condition mess me up?

 

[Mirabelle Plum]

I didn't directly answer you question; sorry. We had snow on ground 2 weeks ago, none now (just dodged another snow bullet). The weather's so freaky this year that it makes me reluctant to plant in raised beds now.

 

[lesa]

I think you will have to risk it- or lose your seed potatoes. Why not plant them and be prepared to cover in case of bad weather? Could you set up some old windows as a semi-cold frame over your raised beds? Many people say their potatoes actually over winter in the ground- so I think you will be okay.
I would cut those wrinkled potatoes into smaller pieces. I think you can wait a while on the Yukons- they still sound like they are okay. Are you storing the potatoes in the dark?

 

[silkiechicken]

I'd get them in the ground a bit deep. The top two inches or so freeze for a week or two and many of the potatoes overwinter in the dirt.

 

[thistlebloom]

Just a little FYI on spuds here. Storage at 40* is ideal with a humidity of 80-90%. Drier than that and they begin to shrivel. Temps above 50 make them want to sprout. Be careful not to break the sprouts that have formed off when you plant them however you choose to do it. Soil temps should be about 50*, or two weeks before your last frost if you plant them outside. Maybe you could plant them in containers inside and then move them out when your weather is more stable? When you're ready to plant the yukons move them into a warm,(70*ish) room with a medium light intensity about a week before planting. The warmth stimulates sprouting and the light insures the sprouts are stubby and therefore stronger. Hope this helps and good luck! ETA WELCOME!

 

[RickF]

I've planted a few potatoes over the years and have never had any issues with planting a spud that was shriveled up with long spouts.. I think the potato's using it's own energy (saved up internally) to get those sprouts going hence the shrinkage.. Anyway, I've never had any bad side effects cause of that..

 

[Mirabelle Plum]

Thank you all so much for the advice. Really didn't want these seed potatoes to go to pot (ruin), too.. See, I lost last year's supply; my track record is a bad one. Reason being, I had everything a-go for my beautiful new garden: growing tons of seedlings, dirt prepared in raised beds, on & on, so much work. I couldn't wait.

Then I got pregnant at 42. Me, unfertile myrtle (we adopted our first son). I couldn't eat or look at vegetables for 9 months; even stepping foot in the garden caused dry heaves when I saw all the green.

My poor backyard flock of hens had to make do with my husband for that time, also. Meat was my other aversion...even "meat" that was still living and clucking! Carbs. I inhaled carbs.

So I "grew" something I wasn't counting on last year! But the harvest was better than I ever expected

Thanks again! Will go with the garbage can this year on the Rose Golds. Maybe can plant Yukons in my beds if they hold out. My pitch dark closet must have been too dry; was in the finished part of basement. Live/learn.

 

[thistlebloom]

Congratulations on last years "produce"Mirabelle! That's a sweet story.