[seagull121]

Hi All,

So this year at my first attempt I managed to grow some potatoes!!! I had earlies (Rockets) and main harvest (King Edwards). My earlies came through really well  . However my main harvests did not come through well at all. In fact 3/4 of the potatoes come up looking a bit weird. As I am completely new to growing anything I have decided to take some pictures and post them here to understand where I went wrong. As you can see from the picture the majority of potatoes had holes in and the rest had a scabby looking growth on. As well as this some of the potatoes came up slightly green. Unfortunately I had to throw these away!! Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Nick.

[azubah]

Looks like slug damage to me. Is the black stuff stuck on soil?

[JoshP]

Looks like wireworm damage on the left, was the area you grew them in recently grass?

[Goosegirl]

I agree with wireworms and possibly slug damage too. They also sould like they have potato scab which, though unsightly, is ok when they are peeled. The green bits are due to areas being exposed to the light.

[oakridge]

Oooer nasty.  For the last two years I have used nematodes from the wonderfully named company - Nemesis.  I have not quite followed instructions, but have poured the lot into the water butt in the greenhouse and this has been a great success.  They deliver two packs with a 6 week interval.  I have had considerable trouble with slugs, nematodes etc, but nothing these last two years.

I have added a recent photo.  They are showing scab but I think that that is largely due to the dry soil.

Malcolm

[bazial]

Slug damage on the left potato ,scab on the right one .
Get yourself some nematodes next year and you will have no problems with Slugs .
You will always get a bit of Scab ,dew to the variety ,and soil conditions (sandy soil and dryness )
Bazial

[seagull121]

Thanks all for your useful information. I did have a battle with slugs this year! I will look into using nematodes next year. Thanks again.

In answer to your questions -

@azubah - Yes this is soil! Sorry I hadn't cleaned them!

@JoshP - The area I grew the potatoes in did not have grass growing recently.