Potato Sarpo Shona

[Monika]

Is anybody else growing the potato Sarpo Shona? Ours don't look at all happy. One plant sort of 'collapsed' about 10 days ago and the stem looked suspiciously like blackleg. Now it's spread along the row (though I believe blackleg is tuber-borne and would not spread from plant to plant). As the Sarpo varieties are only supplied by very few merchants, I wonder if it is indeed blackleg and if others are experiencing it. When it turns a bit drier, as they promise us for tomorrow, I shall examine the plants more closely.

All other potato varieties are doing fine.

[Colin Miles]

You might like to look at this link
http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Sarpo%20Shona

[solway cropper]

I've lost six plants to blackleg this year, all seed from a reputable Scottish supplier.

Blackleg is very distinctive and not easily confused with anything else. If you tug the haulms they will just come away from the ground and be all black and manky at the ends. It starts with the leaves looking stunted and yellowed.

[Monika]

Thank you, Colin and SC. I am quite sure now that it is blackleg. We lost some plants to blackleg a few years ago (different supplier, different variety) and this looks just the same. Almost the entire row is now affected whilst the different varieties on either side are growing perfectly ok. I think I will let the supplier know and send some photos.