[domw001]

What's causing my potatoes to die back this early?

I planted Purple Majesty (maincrop) and Charlotte (early) about the same time. The Charlottes are fine but the PMs are dying back a lot sooner than I would have expected for a late potato.

We havent had a lot of rain so I dont think its blight. 

The only thing I can think of is lack of water. But then again I dont water my potatoes - I just let them get on with  it. The Charlottes are doing well and I also have Rudolph (also maincrop) which dont seem to be affected.

Anyone have any ideas?

[mumofstig]

I think you've already answered your own question 

According to the potato database that variety is an early maincrop - still a bit early though.
http://www.varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Purple%20Majesty


Some varieties do cope better in drought conditions than others, so I'd guess that's all it is.

[Eightball]

sure it's not blight?

[Beetroot Queen]

Blight is turning the blight map into a post box its covered in that many dots. We all got it and we had had no rain etc etc and our whole site went down. I lost two beds even after spraying but the others seem to be holding on.

[domw001]

Note to self:

NEVER grow blue/black potatoes in the ground again - save them for bags.

You just can't see them when you harvest them. I'm sure my storage sack contains 50% spuds and 50% mud-covered stones.

And Lord knows how many I've missed collecting them. I'm convinced I have a ready-sown potato bed waiting for me next spring.

[AnneB]

Well, I wish I could get hold of Edgecote Purple again.   I had no problems picking them out for harvest despite the colour, and the harvest was plentiful and no pests. 

[Rexmundi]

My potatoes are beginning to die back and I have harvested about 10%.
I am about to go on holiday for 2 weeks and wondering if I can leave the rest of them in the ground? Would you suggest cutting off all the foliage as well?
Thanks