Help! Potatoes aren't chitting ....

[Millie1]

I'm new to this so bear with me! Put potatoes in the garage to chit around 2-3 weeks ago. Nothing's happening. They're sitting on trays/eggboxes, on a table, near window. They have eyes and a few have teeny little shoots (but only 1-2mm) which haven't increased in length at all. What's going on? Am I expecting too much, too quickly or could the garage be too cold. They're Charlottes and Maris Piper btw. Think I should be aiming to plant them out at the end of March - is that right? Would appreciate any advice please! TIA

Oh, I'm having this problem too. I was wondering whether I should be putting them somewhere darker because the potatoes I didn't put out to chit and stashed in a cupboard are sprouting much better

Its probably too cold. My df has his in his garage as you do, but has wrapped them in bubble wrap! Mine are doing just right by pure fluke as I am new to it too, but are in a 'cold' room in the house so warmer than a garage. Mind you, research is that they dont need to chit to be good and also you dont want massive shoots which are leggy so dont panic. We got potatoes in our garden last year from the peelings in the compost heap that hadnt decomposed properly - amazing.

I've the same problem with my main crop. Earlies are fine. They are sat indoors on the windowsill ao it should be warm enough.

You should have them in the light to chit, not in the dark. Dry and bright and not too warm. - does your garage have a window?

Thanks everyone. Glad I'm not the only one !
Midnight ... yes, they're next to the window but there have been heavy frosts at night so I imagine the garage is getting pretty cold overnight. Am worried that if I bring them inside it'll be too warm for them - what do you reckon?

All our potatoes are chitting beautifully (never heard the word before; I've learnt a new term!). They're in the larder in a paper bag and are meant to be for eating!

Perhaps it's too cold or too light for yours?

Thinking more cold than light - mine chit beautifully in the kitchen too!! The instructions said to put in a light and airy place. Hmmm

Did some earlies about a month ago. Chitted on the window ledge in my kitchen in egg boxes. The shoots were not very long 0.5 - 1.0 cm but planted them just below the surface of soil/compost in buckets.Kept the buckets in my house on a sunny window ledge and watered well. They are well grown now. Just covered them with soil and expect to harvest in 2 months.

I suggest you bring indoors and plant in compost now just below surface and water well. It has been too cold outside to chit.

You also need to have them in the sunlight as others have said.

It's not the end of the world if you don't chit them - they will still grow perfectly well. If you do chit them then do it in the light or they just grow long fragile shoots, not short tough ones.

Okay ... thanks everyone. I'll try them inside first - will bring them in tomorrow and put them in a sunnier & warmer spot. If that doesn't produce anything, I shall do as you suggets ABetaDad and plant them.

Thanks!