[MyAchingBack]

Planted second early potatoes in April and everything was going well. I have earthed up and the plants are now covered in white flowers. Yet yesterday I noticed that the lower leaves of some plants have turned yellow and the stems appear to be wilting. I had a little dig around and there is a strong fishy smell coming from the stems. Has all of the recent rain killed my potato plants? 

[sunshineband]

That sounds like the stem is rotting

Dig down and check the potatoes underneath and see if they are OK

[Salmo]

Probably blackleg. Usual to see more in a wet year. Mainly it comes in the seed. Plants should be dug out and destroyed, not composted.

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=223

[MyAchingBack]

That sounds like the stem is rotting

Dig down and check the potatoes underneath and see if they are OK

The potatoes are not much bigger than large marbles (fourers). They have a good white color but feel a bit spongy.

[mum23kids]

But don't despair. Do as RHS say and dig out affected plants. Be careful not to spread earth around and keep spade off healthy ones. Destroy the bad ones and clean spade. It is a bacteria.

I had it in 5-6 plants about 3 weeks ago. Did the above and went away for half term. Fully expected to come back and see all my lovely plants mushy. They are fine, flowering and almost ready.  It does come from affected seed but cannot be screened out so even certified pots (mine were) can have it (though they shouldn't). Also it can last in the ground for a fair number of years. Rotate.

The main problem in may opinion has been the ammount of rain which has just made it worse! Especially if on heavy clay soil.

Good luck

E

[MyAchingBack]

Thanks mum. Do I just pull the infected plants from the soil or do I need to dig right down? I'm just thinking that if I have to start digging I may as well dig out the lot. It's a shame. I've always wanted to grow potatoes and this is my first time of trying 

[mum23kids]

If you pull, the bottom of the plant will stay in the ground as the stem has rotted. Dig, but carefully. You should be able to just get the dodgy ones out. Try (easier said than done) not to shower the soil everywhere and be careful to keep your spade away from the healthy ones.  You should get out the original seed potato (which will be a mushy mess - should be don't panic!) and any little pots that may have started forming (though if it IS blackleg, these will only be tiny and probably not too appealing either!)

If some plants look Ok try to leave them as you are almost there now and your own new potatoes are always worth the effort!

Good luck
E