Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Lardman on June 10, 2009, 17:15

Title: Scabby Spuds
Post by: Lardman on June 10, 2009, 17:15

Well I tried...  :(

Just lifted my first International kidney plant for dinner and they've got scab again.  >:( I'll pull one of the pentland javelins later this week and see if they're as bad.

Does look like spuds are off the menu until I can sort the problem out though.

Title: Re: Scabby Spuds
Post by: Iain@JBA on June 10, 2009, 17:27

Just peel the skins off and the potatoes are fine to eat.

Title: Re: Scabby Spuds
Post by: Lardman on June 10, 2009, 17:42

Peel a new spud ???  Iain shame on you !!!   :D

Im looking for bakers and new spuds that taste like they should - normal boiled pots I might as well pick up form the supermarket - I can't really tell the difference once they're covered in gravy.

Am I right in thinking its just the poor soil condition  (too alkaline? ) that causes it.  I have nasty sandy soil. The solution being as always more pooh  :D ::)

Title: Re: Scabby Spuds
Post by: Iain@JBA on June 10, 2009, 19:32

Hi Lardman
Lime and potatoes don't like each other and will result in scabs.
The scab could be caused by spores in your soil which can cause scab aswell.
Go on peel them and eat them :D

Title: Re: Scabby Spuds
Post by: Lardman on June 10, 2009, 21:36

Theres no skin as such to peel... Id eaten them before I posted  :D bit of scab never did anyone any harm - did it? Not as nice a flavour as I remember though  :(

T.O.B.N.D.'s spuds are fine, he grows vast amounts - hes been cultivating the ground for 30 years so I expect its in slightly better condition than mine.

Title: Re: Scabby Spuds
Post by: Lardman on June 13, 2009, 17:22

Well I've lifted a pentland javelin.. Id say its just as bad if not worse than the international kidney..   :(

 

Title: Re: Scabby Spuds
Post by: Iain@JBA on June 13, 2009, 17:52

Well 2 different varieties with the same problem would make it something in the soil.
Your PH could be too alkaline or you could have suffered from dry warm conditions at tuberisation which can cause scab to be formed.