[Christine]

Yes it has been ideal blight weather where I live. And OK - have spotted it in one of my tubs on the allotment (so presume the three tubs next to it are likely infected). Yes, yes I know about haulm disposal, rotten spud disposal, harvesting, storage and all that.

But on to the compost in the tubs - do I keep it to one side as I have this idea from somewhere that the virus can stay in the soil for some time/years.

And will Jeyes Fluid do the trick for making the tubs fairly free (mind you I can stack to one side and use for a different crop next year no problem).

I just can't lay hands on information about how long you should leave soil that has been home to infected spuds free of the same crop.

Will someone please enlighten me. Tell me I'm wrong, inform me of the correct way to go.

[DD.]

Are you absolutely sure it's blight? (I'm not saying it isn't). There is not much reported in your area, the nearest being as far away as Scotch Corner.

 Blight Map

[Christine]

Well the leaves show the first signs as per all the pictures in the book and one of the spuds in the tub that I emptied this afternoon was totally rotten and another one on the way ....

The map hasn't been updated for some time I might say because I consulted it last month.

Can't see anything else that looks the same in the way of disease. Most of the tatties in tub were fine and just as you would expect a King Edward (young) to be.

[Aunt Sally]

But on to the compost in the tubs - do I keep it to one side as I have this idea from somewhere that the virus can stay in the soil for some time/years.

Not a virus at all it's a fungus called Phytophthora infestans

[Christine]

Question though - does it hang around in the soil or have I got my information wrong?

[DD.]

Your rotten spud could just be the original seed potato if the others are OK  - they do this, if the leaves are yellowing the plant could simply be maturing.

I beg to differ about the date of the map, as it shows an outbreak in Dundee 2 days ago.

[Christine]

:oops: wrong about map - sorry  :oops:

That's an interesting one on the original spud. Tis my first try at spuds and there are none of the family to ask.

Tis a shame when you grow up and then find that you are the elder of the family without the other show gardeners and allotment holders to ask.  

[DD.]

Tis a shame when you grow up and then find that you are the elder of the family without the other show gardeners and allotment holders to ask.  

Ah, but you're going to become the one all the others will look to!

[GrannieAnnie]

I still miss my Dad when I'm in the garden, his allotments were the only 2 right next to our house as we had a pylon there, so they couldn't build a house, and there wasn't anything he didn't know about gardening!  But he's been gone these past 38 years now, and me and my brother and a couple of cousins are th family elders now!!!!!   SCARY!!!