[RJR_38]

I haven't been to the plot since Sunday as work has been manic but I thought I would pop down to dig up some earlies tonight. All was going well when I glanced across at my maincrop, 'Purple Majesty' and noticed this:





From looking at google images in my phone I was pretty certain it was blight so I cut everything down, burnt it and have left the potatoes in the ground. The earlies and second earlies appear unaffected. The ones I dug up tonight were fine. We have had no warnings round here as I have signed up to that site DD recommended and everyone else's on the plot look fine 

My questions are:

1) Is it blight?
2) Have I done the right thing
3) Is it likely to have spread to the other 2 varieties
4) will I be able to eat the main crop spuds?

Sorry for all the questions!

[Beetroot queen]

No idea here but it doesnt look great. I think i would have done the same as you

[snowdrops]

It does like it to me,keep a close eye on your others,you can try picking the first leaves as you see sign of them,just put an answer on your comments thread about leaving the spuds for 2 weeks before digging them up

[Yorkie]

I'm sure it will be OK, but I would suggest leaving further harvesting of spuds for 2 weeks.  This is the usual advice so that any spores can die before they come into contact with tubers.

[Kirpi]

I never understand why the blight map we are pointed to shows no blight in our area when we clearly have blight on our plots every year. Nothing yet, but I do wonder how reliable that map is when you get down to tiny plots on allotments.

[surbie100]

I never understand why the blight map we are pointed to shows no blight in our area when we clearly have blight on our plots every year. Nothing yet, but I do wonder how reliable that map is when you get down to tiny plots on allotments.

Doesn't it depend on people reporting it? If people don't report, it won't go on....

[Growster...]

Sticking neck up over parapet, I'm not so sure it is blight, RJR, as you don't have the characteristic black scars normally associated with the disease. Can you try looking at Magnesium Deficiency in a Hessayon book. Isn't it more like that?

[AnneB]

Sticking neck up over parapet, I'm not so sure it is blight, RJR, as you don't have the characteristic black scars normally associated with the disease. Can you try looking at Magnesium Deficiency in a Hessayon book. Isn't it more like that?

I'll peek over the parapet with you Growster.  If you look google magnesium deficiency in potatoes and look at images, there are some very similar pictures to those posted by RJR.   Difficult to say, especially as blight map not showing a great deal as yet and everyone else at your site being OK. 

Are any of your other plants looking a bit yellow?  That might be an indication of magnesium deficiency in your soil.  In which case a dose of Epsom salts might help.  Interesting to see if others on your site get blight or not.  If you have it then I can't see them avoiding it for very long.

[RJR_38]

Sticking neck up over parapet, I'm not so sure it is blight, RJR, as you don't have the characteristic black scars normally associated with the disease. Can you try looking at Magnesium Deficiency in a Hessayon book. Isn't it more like that?

I'll peek over the parapet with you Growster.  If you look google magnesium deficiency in potatoes and look at images, there are some very similar pictures to those posted by RJR.   Difficult to say, especially as blight map not showing a great deal as yet and everyone else at your site being OK. 

Are any of your other plants looking a bit yellow?  That might be an indication of magnesium deficiency in your soil.  In which case a dose of Epsom salts might help.  Interesting to see if others on your site get blight or not.  If you have it then I can't see them avoiding it for very long.

Ooh yes - definitely more like that! There are a few other plants further up that are looking slightly yellow.. Looks like I didn't need to cut it all down then oh well, better safe than sorry I suppose....

Where would I buy Epsom salts from? Would garden centres stock it?

[AnneB]

Yes you should be able to get it at a good garden centre.

[Growster...]

Yup, garden centres are the best bet, as chemists will charge an arm and a leg, and maybe another body part..;0)

[RJR_38]

I will be on to that today then. Just a teeny bit annoyed I 'panicked' and cut down all the elevates as they are bound to be tiny now but oh well lesson learnt for next year!

[Auntiemogs]

I will be on to that today then. Just a teeny bit annoyed I 'panicked' and cut down all the elevates as they are bound to be tiny now but oh well lesson learnt for next year!

Better to be safe than sorry though RJR. I'm guessing not everyone with a plot is so considerate and hope you get a reasonable harvest.   

[simonwatson]

It looks a lot like pictures of early blight. Much less serious than late blight.

[Aunt Sally]

I never understand why the blight map we are pointed to shows no blight in our area when we clearly have blight on our plots every year. Nothing yet, but I do wonder how reliable that map is when you get down to tiny plots on allotments.

Doesn't it depend on people reporting it? If people don't report, it won't go on....

Exactly so.  Kirpi - do what I have done and become a blight monitor.  PM me if you want the contact details.


AND I agree - definitely not late blight.