[charliesmum]

My potatoes are really tall, and some have flowers on them.  Some of the leaves have started to go yellow, and I have been told that I have potato blight.

Someone else on the same allotments has got what they say is blight, and the leaves have all shrivelled up within a couple of days.

I have cut off the infected leaves, but have just read if the leaves are starting to turn yellow, then they may be ready for picking.

I am now really confused. :?

[arronc]

New to all this but after flowering they should start to die which is a sign they are ready for picking, however I am sure someone more experienced will come along to confirm

[Aunt Sally]

Check out the link on the useful topics thread

Takes you here http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0701/potato_blight.asp

[Annie]

It`s very early for blight and yellowing leaves is not a symptom of it,early varieties are harvested once the flowers open so dig a plant up or have a little gentle dig and remove any big enough to eat and enjoy!If these are earlies then they are probably about ready to reward you with a nice meal and more planting space.

[Aidy]

As far as I know, blight is more of a spotty thing leading to dry brown/black leaves, getting black spots on the leaves colud be the first sign, yellowing maybe something completly different, like pest damage to the haulm under ground.

[WG.]

Agreed.  Too early for blight & it would cause leaves to blacken rather than to yellow.

Which variety of potato are they please, charliesmum?

Are leaves yellow all over, or are the mottled at random, or do the centre and main veins remain green?

[mkhenry]

Agreed.  Too early for blight & it would cause leaves to blacken rather than to yellow.

Which variety of potato are they please, charliesmum?

Are leaves yellow all over, or are the mottled at random, or do the centre and main veins remain green?

Until you have a better description it is not possible to make a proper diagnosis.Potatoe leaves can go yellow for many reasons.From frost,even light frost,to Potatoe Cyst Eelworm.Magnesium Deficency and Blackleg both can mimic Blight in its early stages to the untutored eye.

[Aunt Sally]

What they are saying charlies mum is...  Give us a picture  

[mkhenry]

What they are saying charlies mum is...  Give us a picture  

 

[charliesmum]

They aren't mottled, but are turning yellow, but not all over.    It's the top leaves that are affected, so i cut them off.   They are Aaron Pilot.

I will try to get a picture later,   thanks

[WG.]

Arran Pilot is a first early and this is very relevant information.  They might very well be maturing which would make the yellowing nothing to worry about.  Dig one up and include a photo of the tubers as well please.

[jessicapollitt]

Ooo, I've got a really similar problem!
Glad to see that it might not be blight... the land's not been used for the previous 8 years so I'd be really unlucky to have blight...
I'll post a photo soon - we can compare yellow mottling..!
Thanks,
Jess

[DD.]

Ooo, I've got a really similar problem!
Glad to see that it might not be blight... the land's not been used for the previous 8 years so I'd be really unlucky to have blight...
I'll post a photo soon - we can compare yellow mottling..!
Thanks,
Jess

Blight is airbourne and can spread from any adjacent plot if the wind's in the wrong direction!

[noshed]

My Arran Pilots had gone a bit yellow and manky looking so I dug some up and they are great. Quite big, perfect spuds. And it leaves room for the tomato and chilli farm I seem to be developing.

[charliesmum]

Sorry I never got round to posting a picture.   We found out the next day that it wsn't potato blight - it was frost damage.

Just goes to show, you shouldn't believe everything you are told - my poor brother in law believed what he was told and  lopped the top of all his crop.   I was a bit more cautious, and am now just starting to lift my lovely, white Arran Pilots.

Thanks for all the advice, that was what really stopped me rushing off an doing anything hasty