"Raymond RUSSELL" wrote in message
...
Hello all

I'm harvesting the first of our potatoes
(one plant at a time - to save going shopping).

This year we've had quite a few "volunteer" plants
springing up from odd bits left in the ground.
I can't remember what variety they are - but they taste lovely.

I want to save a few little ones to use as seed again next season.
What is the best way to store them between now and next year
- not to eat but for next year's crop ?

Best regards from Ray.

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We used to put them in a flat wooden tray (not touching each other), and put
them under the bed until spring, examining occasionally and chucking any
which showed rot.
Others may have other thoughts and methods but nowadays with central heating
I have reservations about the underbed method, so keep them in a frost-free
place. Some say darkness is good others say it doesn't matter, the
moistness stays inside the potato. My dad used to lay his seed taties on
the soil for a few days to go a bit greenish but I don't bother with that.
In spring, of course, they are laid out in a tray upright with the end (the
end with the pimples on) upwards at the top. To identify,- the other end
which is underneath has just one pimple within which there is a small stump
which used to be attached to its parent's root. I put mine on the floor
in this here room. Don't worry if you chit them upside down by mistake, -
the shoots will circumvent the circumference of the tatie and grow upwards .
Some people put newspaper sheet around them (leaving the top quite open for
light) to stop them touching each other. I don't, I use a bigger tray,
keeping them apart from each other.. but that is being a bit fussy.
The buds at the top will then start to grow, (chit) so according to the
season and when the shoots are about an half-inch or to maybe an inch they
are gently transferred to their prepared trench, and planted,- shoots on the
top sticking upwards .
(This advice is a possible guidance for those persons new to the game.).
Doug.

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