Tiny white spots on my potatoes

  • 3 Replies
  • 5993 Views
*

Cate

  • Newbie
  • *
  • 1
Tiny white spots on my potatoes
« on: July 20, 2009, 16:31 »
Hello folks,

Please excuse me if I've posted in the wrong place or if this is a silly question!

I've just lifted my early potatoes and noticed a few of them had tiny white dots on them, which seemed to rub off. There was also a mass of sogginess under one of the plants which I'm presuming was a rotten potato. Firstly I googled the problem and found a site which said this was often caused by very heavy rain and if caught early enough the potatoes would be fine - brilliant I thought (we had torrential rain last week in Newcastle). However, I then checked in my trusty Joy Larkcom book "How to grow vegetables" and I'm concerned it could be the more serious "Potato cyst eelworm" as she mentioned white pinhead cysts on the surface as an indicator.

If it was just caused by the rain will my maincrop potatoes be ok? Should I lift them early in case they all rot? Are the potatoes with the white spots ok to eat?

I've only had my half plot since April and I'm a complete novice so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers
Cate

*

Greengirl

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Northants
  • 177
Re: Tiny white spots on my potatoes
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2009, 16:52 »
If your plants are growing well, I wouldn't think it's eel worm. I've seen these pin pricks on my spuds sometimes & they were fine. The rotten spud was probably the original seed potato.

*

Yorkie

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: North Yorkshire
  • 26331
Re: Tiny white spots on my potatoes
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2009, 19:02 »
Welcome to the site Cate  :D

I agree with GG above - I have white spots on some of my spuds, doesn't seem to be a problem.  And the seed potato is indeed really horrible and mushy.

If you find bits eaten out of your potatoes, or lots and lots of them rotting off then do post piccies, but I'd hope you won't find this.
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days all attack me at once...

*

Salmo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Peterborough
  • 3787
Re: Tiny white spots on my potatoes
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2009, 23:36 »
Eel worm cysts are lemon shaped and may be white or light brown. They are attached to the fine roots not the potato tubers. I am sure your spots are not them.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2009, 23:42 by Salmo »



xx
White spots on potatoes

Started by Wellpotty1 on Grow Your Own

9 Replies
4581 Views
Last post July 19, 2012, 16:55
by mumofstig
xx
white spots on potatoes

Started by Jamboian on Grow Your Own

7 Replies
2765 Views
Last post July 25, 2011, 16:03
by Jamboian
xx
White spots on potatoes??

Started by Biddy on Grow Your Own

1 Replies
2142 Views
Last post August 07, 2009, 18:55
by beansticks
xx
tiny white marks on my potatoes

Started by frazzy on Grow Your Own

11 Replies
42261 Views
Last post July 09, 2007, 10:10
by ytyynycefn
 

Page created in 0.426 seconds with 38 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |