Hey everyone, I'm looking to grow some potatoes, but I'm getting all sorts of conflicting advice online about how to get them started. I think the term I'm looking for is either 'sprouting' or 'chitting,' and from what I've gathered, that's about getting the potatoes to grow roots. Some videos suggest washing the potatoes first, while others recommend keeping them in a cool, dark place or in indirect light, and then there are those who say a warm, damp spot is best. It's all a bit confusing! Can anyone clarify what the best method might be or if there's some truth to the different approaches?
1 Answer
Honestly, chitting isn't a must. Yeah, some folks say it speeds things up a bit, but you can totally skip it. Just be careful with those potatoes—don't wash them too much or you'll end up damaging them. A quick rinse is fine, but cutting them into chunks and burying them under about an inch of soil works well. If you're using seed potatoes, about 90% will sprout, but store-bought ones are iffy since they get treated to stop roots. Just make sure they don't get waterlogged, and you'll be alright!
So, can I just throw a store-bought potato into a bucket of soil and water it like usual?