[Jakell]

 Due to a close shave with blight last year (I spotted it early and managed to get most of the crop in) I bought Sarpo Axona potatoes from Thompson and Morgan.
 They seem to be growing very slowly (but seem healthy) and seem quite a long way behind Desiree for instance, so slowly in fact that for the first time ever I have had to weed the potato patch as they are too small to earth up yet, which usually finishes off any weeds.

 They are classed as a late maincrop which is a new classification to me. Anyone else experienced this slow growth?

[DD.]

I've grown Sarpo Mira for the past few years.

As usual, the foliage is the shortest of all the maincrop, but  once it goes, it goes!

[dougsta]

Sarpo Axona for me too this yr - also a bit steady
Late maincrop just means they take that little bit longer - not all maincrop take the same length of time.
Look at Lady Balfour for example - some call them a late 2nd early and some call them an early maincrop

[Jakell]

As usual, the foliage is the shortest of all the maincrop, but  once it goes, it goes!

 I take it you mean that after a slow start it eventually takes off, I was hoping this was the case as I know my soil is well composted.

 I find the growth on desiree, for example, a little too vigourous. The haulms, though prolific, seem a little sappy and just waiting for some desease or pest to come along. The growth on these seems pretty sturdy

[RichardA]

first time of trying and same for me - stocky but looking very good. I put mine in last of all so can be last out of the main crops if blight threatens.
R

[Wombat]

Sarpo Mira and well behind the others.  As with yours, also the most robust looking.

[Jakell]

first time of trying and same for me - stocky but looking very good. I put mine in last of all so can be last out of the main crops if blight threatens.
R

 I haven't even considered the B word this year. I have heard that blight is almost non-existent with Sarpo, so much so that I may even save seed potatoes from this crop for next year, which is usually a no-no with me, unless I get leaf-curl, which, I assume will remain in the tubers.

 I have heard that Sarpo can remain in the ground until very late in the year. This could not happen even if there was the slightest hint of blight susceptibility.

[DD.]

If people are still reading this thread, just had a thought.

I remembered I took this photo a bit back, they've grown a bit since, but it illustrates the point well.

The nearest two rows are Sarpo Mira, then two rows of Picasso, one row of Ambo, one row of Kestrel & two rows of Charlotte.

The Sarpo were admittedly planted last, but not by much.

Disclaimer - the shed is on the next plot and is not mine.

[mumofstig]

errrr what photo DD?

[DD.]

It was just a test.

You people are getting slower. It took you over 8 hours to find that deliberate mistake.

Try this...

[mumofstig]

It was just a test

 

[Janeymiddlewife]

Glad you posted that DD - I was getting a bit worried about mine as they seem quite slow, but healthy!

[Yabba]

It was just a test.

You people are getting slower. It took you over 8 hours to find that deliberate mistake.

Thank god for that, I thought my morning coffee was to weak! ... Having said that ... You bum! I spent all day worrying about my morning coffee being to weak! :|

¥

[DD.]

Just to update,  3 weeks down the line, you can see how they've caught up. They make very tall weed supressing foliage & will overtake the others.

Then



Now