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Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:59 am
by ken
Am growing potatoes in sacks this year. Have just harvested a bag of Swift - the spuds look v good and am happy with the yield. However, we found one with a hole in it, and the potato was all rotten on the inside. Am a little mystified as the seed were planted in new compost, and the bag has been standing on gravel, so slugs have not been a problem.
Re: Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:40 am
by John
Hello Ken
Is this the remains of one of the original seed potatoes that you planted which often finish up like this. Its quite natural - don't know about the hole though.
John
Re: Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:58 am
by ken
Thanks, John, but I don't tink so. The original seed potatoes had gone all soft; this one was nice and firm on the outside.
Re: Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:54 pm
by ken
...and more bad news. My wife has just found three more potatoes with the same problem. They are firm on the outside, but the centre is hollowed out and a bit messy. Couldn't see an bugs or slugs with the naked eye, however.
Re: Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:07 pm
by ken
Just taken a look at 'The New Vegetable Grower's Handbook' by Arthur J. Simons, which ironically is quite old - 1st published by Penguin in 1945. He mentions one or two physiological problems with potatoes, including one called 'hollow heart' which can happen with some varieties when a dry spell is followed by heavy rain. Given that the potatoes were grown in a bag, it is quite possible I didn't achieve even watering. Do you think this could be the problem, from the symptoms I've described? Never heard of it before but then I've never grown potatoes this way before, either.
Re: Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:39 pm
by snooky
Evening Ken,
In Dr.Hessayon's "Vegetable Expert"book there is an illustration of a problem called "Hollow Heart" which is exactly as you describe.It is caused by a prolonged wet spell after dry weather and may rot when stored,and there is no cure for it other than watering during dry spells.
Re: Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:52 pm
by alan refail
Re: Potato problem
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:29 pm
by ken
That looks like it alright. Many thanks, Alan & Snooky. In my defence, I'd point out that one day in early June we had more rain than in March, April and May combined. But next year I'll have to watch the watering more carefully. Or grow a different variety. We harvested Charlotte about a week earlier, and as far as we have seen so far, it hasn't suffered from this...