[Judd]

Someone had a look at my potatos( ) ,they said my second earlies had blight and I should dig them up immediately.
They did look unwell and I checked on here and it looked like blight to me, I took them up today and got 2 full sacks from 2x 20ft rows. All the tubers looked in excellent condition.
Would the tubers have been ok if it was blight ?
I have 5 rows of maincrop in alongside them what can I do with them? They look ok at the minute but they do have a few yellow leaves and some are black and dried up.

[ilan]

well done If you read all the posts on blight you should leave the potatoes in the ground untouched for a good two weeks this gives the spores that are lying all over the surface of the soil a chance to die  now they have been dug in they will infect any small bits of potatoes left in the ground

[Judd]

Thanks for that ilan that's made my night!
I read the posts but must have missed that bit of advice.

[Salmo]

Pity you missed that advice. Must read more carefully next time.

By digging your potatoes immediately you may have got spores on the tubers. Keep a good eye on them in the bags. Infected tubers will go soft and will need removing.

As for the main crop. If blight develops on the leaves and seems to be getting worse remove the tops and bag them, then wait 2 weeks before lifting. Or you can leave them in the ground for a bit.

[sunshineband]

You could always wash them carefully Judd, and then bag up in clean bags when they are thoroughly dry.

If any are blighted, the smaell is repulsive so you will be in no doubt

Good luck with them: I hope all will be well

[The Golden Heap]

What does blight on potatoe smell like?

[JayG]

The infection itself has no smell, but a rotting potato (from whatever cause) is one of the more disgusting smells around! 

[ilan]

You now also need to be very carefull to ensure every last bit of potatoe is removed from the plot any volanteers that grow next year may well carry the infection