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potatoes are dead
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:53 pm
by ashb
Hi all planted my christmas cropping potatoes about 3weeks ago
and out of 20 tubers i planted in my planter boxes about 15 have
just died of, have had plenty of rain recently could that be the cause
i am open to suggestions and comments am really baffled because
some are doing really well the ones that are left that is.
ash.
Re: potatoes are dead
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:15 pm
by Compo
One word probably will cover this
Blight?
These late potatoes are having their growth period during warm damp conditions when blight spreads the most virrently. What is known as a 'full smith period'
CoMpO
Re: potatoes are dead
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:58 pm
by solway cropper
A picture of the affected plants would help. Was there some sign that they were not happy such as stunted growth or discoloured foliage? It's unusual for things to just die off without showing some sign of distress.
If there was insufficient drainage in the containers the compost could have become waterlogged, causing the seed to rot.
Re: potatoes are dead
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:10 pm
by ashb
they where doing fine i had already covered them once and they where
about 4-6 inches of the plants showing then they just started to
wither and wilt and they had been looked after ok not too dry or over watered, anyway i have also contacted the companies i bought them from
1 was even from d,t browns who do the shop on here still waiting for replies though.
ash.
Re: potatoes are dead
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:45 pm
by ashb
re my last post have pulled up afew of the tubers and the
stems are rotten, so i have decided just to pull all the tubers
up, my query is now what else do i need to do to the compost
they where planted in
cheers in advance for all replies.
ash.
ps have decided to buy 10 more and try again.
Re: potatoes are dead
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:54 pm
by MikA
My old Dr D.G. Hessayon Vegetable Doctor book mentions Blackleg.
Early season (for normal crops but day length and timing probably right for these Christmas spuds), heavy soils and rainy weather. It also says don't plant soft tubers . Maybe this was the the problem - I know mine were soft when I put them in quite late (no problems yet - touch wood)
Suggest completely replace the compost with new stuff if you are trying again. You could also try hydrating the tubers by soaking in water if they are soft. (don't know if this works but worth a shot so do a couple first to see if ok without problems).
MikA
Re: potatoes are dead
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:33 pm
by ashb
thanks for the advice mikA, come to think of it the tubers was soft
but atleast 5 seem to have survived but seeing this is my 1st year
of trying to grow veg i am on a big learning curve so i will just plod
on and listen to all the advice people on this great forum give me.
ash.