Now is the time of year when a lot of you like to get a jump start on the growing season. If you live in a colder climate like western New York State, you can start your tubers indoors in pots or flats, so that when it's warm enough to plant them outside, they will be miles ahead of schedule. January or February is good if you're planning on taking cuttings and rooting them: otherwise, the end of March or early April is good. You don't want to start too early on the ones you're just going to take outside and plant. Your sprouts will be too tall and leggy even if they're doing time in a sunny window.
Do you ever notice that when you do this, there are certain varieties that simply refuse to pop those eyes and start growing? I have seen tubers sit around for weeks before they finally decide to start. This can put your flowering schedule off by a couple of weeks.
Here's a little trick: soak your tubers in hot water (120 F ) for one minute, then set them in their flats. The hot water helps the tuber to break its dormancy.
The timing on this technique is for smaller tubers. medium tubers should be immersed for two minutes, and larger ones for three or four. Don't worry, at this temp you won't kill them, just make them uncomfortable. The stress helps break the cycle of dormancy.
Remember: don't water until you see they've sprouted. Then water sparingly.
Happy growing!
