On Oct 14, 3:54*am, "David Hare-Scott" wrote:
Higgs Boson wrote:
I had always been taught that it's good to "harden off" potato eyes
before planting. *Does anyone have comments about whether this is
true/ false and *(b) how long harden off before planting?

I am not sure what you mean by "harden off". *In cases where you cut the
tater up it is usual to allow the cut surface to callus over for a day or
two before planting. *I understand that this is to try to prevent fungi from
invading the cut area when it is buried.

That's what I meant by "harden off", not knowing any other term.
But did not know the reason for doing so. I notice Gloria suggested
using sulfur.
May try an experiement planting some w/sulfur, some w/o.

Next: *Is there any harm in eating the rest of the potato after
removing the eye and accompanying meat? *I have done so & survived,
but wonder if there is a problem.

TIA

There is no reason that you shouldn't eat the rest PROVIDED it meets the
usual criteria of edible potatoes - that it doesn't have green areas which
are likely to contain the poison solanine. *As seed potatoes are often old
and have been exposed to light it is common for them to fail this
requirement. *OTOH it is usual to not cut the eye out but cut larger tubers
into segments where each segment has an eye, or to plant small tubers whole.
The starch with the eye is required to provide energy to send up the new
shoots, so usually there wouldn't be any spare meat to eat.

See reply to Gloria. I do leave lots of "meat"/starch to get the new
potatoes going.
And I am aware of green potato danger,but didn't know the term you
cite.
I have never used purchased seed potatoes.
Thanks for help.

HB