How quick can you use saved seed potatoes?

[Turf cutter man]

I have read about planting earlies in jul/aug. and harvesting them in december(protecting them from frost)

My question is I have just harvested some potatoes. Can I chit these straight away?

thanks
John

[JR]

I didnt think you chitted summer planting potatoes.

I read it is better to plant late July and pick a blight resistant strain. If the plants show signs of blight chop them down and leave them in the ground.

It is going to be my first try this year so I await any words of wisdom anyone has too!

[MKG]

You know - that's a really interesting question. Unharvested spuds stay in the ground and don't grow until the following season, though. Does that mean that they need to mature for a while before they'll sprout again? I don't know. I'm watching this topic with fascination.

[JR]

I am not 100 percent but I think you are correct.

I didnt think you could dig up an early and replant it straight away for another crop this year!

I too am very interested in knowing more.

[MKG]

OK - quick bit of research. There is a natural dormancy period for potato tubers, and its length depends very much on environmental conditions. Seed potato producers keep them under very strict environmental control to intentionally extend the dormancy period. What the dormancy means in terms of normal growing conditions is that winter catches up with the tuber before it comes out of its "natural" dormancy phase, and the colder temperatures force it to remain dormant until the weather turns more potato-friendly again.

I suppose, then, that you cannot immediately chit or replant spuds you have just harvested and expect any kind of growth. If there are ways of artificially extending dormancy, I'd say that there are probably ways of shortening it, too - but you might need a lab and an environmentally-controlled enclosure to do it.

[Turf cutter man]

Thanks for your answers so far. I have put four to one side and will see if they chit . If they do I will plant them.

Do seed potato producers lengthen the dormancy period so they fit into us buying them when they say/weather conditions are right?

Would it be worth putting a couple in the freezer as you do with some seeds to trick them it has been winter. Or will that damage them? as I know when chitting you must protect from frost. But is that to protect the tuber or the emerging growth?

Thanks
john

[JR]

I think they must store as if they are burried. They then must bring them out to coinside to when they can be planted. All very clever.

This means in days gone by they would have dug up this years and replanted after a period under the ground for next year then let nature do its thing!

Would make sense. I wonder if anyone has a guide to growing and re-growing from 1940 or before.