1. Nearly all the compost has been eased away from the dormant
tubers taking care not to tear the skin as roots will not form next year
on the damaged area.
2. It is important to remove the scab at the base
of where the stem formed. If left unattended rot can develop underneath
and eat down into the tuber. I have never found it necessary to
treat the wound in any way, after a few days it will heal
naturally.
3. Tubers are washed and given a light scrub. The area where
the scab was removed can clearly be seen, as can the scars where basal
cuttings were taken early in the season. After drying out
and inspected for any rot the tubers will be stored in dry moss peat, but not
before they have received the
hot water treatment.
4. My cutting tubers in larger pots (5" 13cm) are
now being harvested. Shown here they are straight out of their
pots and not yet cleaned. Some have the stub of the stem
remaining, this will separate in due course. They are mostly of a disappointing size this
year. The ones in smaller pots (3½" 9cm) will be
left until mid-January and then restarted within a couple of weeks. And
so another season will begin.
