Blight is back

[The Mouse]

I've just been told that blight is appearing over at one side of our extensive allotment site. So far, my own potatoes look ok, but it's only a matter of time This is exactly the same time that it appeared last year - not surprising, given the frequent rain we've been having, but upsetting, nevertheless!
Have any more of you seen signs of blight yet?
Just thought I would forewarn you all - if you notice the problem soon enough you might be able to lift the plants before the tubers are affected, though I guess it depends on what variety you are growing as to whether they will be developed enough to use / store. I was surprised last year to find that my Majestic were non the worse for being lifted at least six weeks earlier than usual. This year I'm growing Pentland Squire (or it might be Pentland Crown!), so it remains to be seen if I will be as lucky this time!

[alan refail]

For more information see THIS THREAD

[Angi]

I've just lifted all my spuds after noticing early signs of blight.

[Chantal]

Well JB, you'll be proud of me. I've been to the plot and sprayed all my tomatoes against blight. I don't feel entirely happy doing this, but I'll be less happy if I lose the entire crop like last year.

I'm officially a pragmatist

[Colin Miles]

Hi Chantal, as a matter of interest what spray did you use?

[Chantal]

The only one available in our local garden centre, Bordeaux Mixture.

I feel awful for doing this, I just hope it works

[Geoff]

Sprayed all mine today as well. Signed up on Blightwatch and they sent me a warning email.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Chantal, will you not have to do repeated spraying to try and keep them protected from blight.

[Chantal]

It says every 3 weeks whilst blight is active (late July - mid August), so that's going to be at least 2 lots, possibly 3 I would think.

Last year, as has been said before, I lost 54 plants overnight, all laden with fruit. I can't take the heartache of that again, after all the expense and nurturing to get them that far.

I'll let you know if it works and if it doesn't I'm only only growing Ferline next year

[Johnboy]

Hi Chantal,
I always knew that you were Pragmatic at heart!
I feel sure that the spuds next to me this year will be sprayed very soon. They are a really wonderful looking crop this year. Although I have no financial hand in the crop I would be really gutted if they were to fail.
JB.

[Primrose]

Like Chantal, I too went out early this morning and very reluctantly sprayed all my tomato plants using Dithane. I inspected them closely and currently they're looking very healthy. I would much prefer to grow organically, but like Chantal I'd rather have a tomato crop than call myself an organic gardener and find myself looking at a row of dead rotting plants. I used Dithane last year and although I lost one plant and 2 or 3 tomatoes from another one, it did halt the blight in its track possibly because I used the spray very early and I didn't have any other tomato growers nearby.

[Johnboy]

Hi Primrose,
Really this is what pragmatic gardening is all about.
I try very hard not to spray any pesticides at all but use herbicides on non productive land I now use the New Advanced Slug pellets that now carry an organic accreditation. I use netting wherever possible to prevent the nasties attacking my crops.
You have used a Fungicide because you could be in peril of losing your crop to blight. To me this is just plain common sense. I only grow early potatoes and these are almost over now and are unlikely candidates for blight.
I have 80 acres growing the other side of the hedge although these are not my crop I generally manage to
glean at least 8 potato sacksful for the winter.
Have been known to tickle the odd few before harvest as well!
My Maris Bard have been absolutely outstanding this year.
I lost my Tomatoes (outdoors) to blight last year but so far they look pretty good.
I do not see why anybody should lose a crop for somebody elses principles.
JB.

[Monika]

Confession time: I used glyphosate weedkiller this morning on our "cordon sanitaire". Our allotment has dry stone walls on three sides and wire netting about two feet off the wall (so that the rabbits and lambs can't get scramble over the wall and straight into the allotment). The problem is that any weed seeds have a great time in this strip, germinating on the uncultivated soil and hoeing is very difficult in the confined area. So, this morning, it being sunny, dry and still, I gave the young weeds a blast with glyphosate.

[Lurganspade]

Back to the subject, I see from other sites that the dreaded "blight" is appearing from Somerset to Northampton, The Midlands and Cheshire.

It is not looking good, looks like we will get it before long if the humidity returns.

Here in Gloucester (not Fairford) it was warm today, but there was a strong wind blowing, which helps.

So far our allotments appear clear,so he's hoping!!

[Compo]

We have the blight watch alert three times here, there is a tiny amount of blight on the plot but touch wood I am ok. I have planted Sarpo Mira as my main crop and may consider it being my only crop next year if my Cara get attacked, the first and very earlies are now lifted and eaten or stored safely. I may consider a blight resistant tomatoe, I can't bring myself to spray because the cost is not that grim for me, for commercia growers it is different. That is why I have my own plot, to exercise choice. And I know I may have to pay for it.