Maris Piper haulms dying off - normal?

[Jon B]

Is it normal for the haulms to be dying off on Maris Piper in July? I thought they would keep going till Sept. - should I start to harvest now?

[sewer rat]

I would say that it's most unusual. Piper is a maincrop and I wouldn't expect them to start dying down til mid/late August at the earliest.
Have the plants been diseased or stressed in any way - blight or blackleg ? Drought or flooded ? Are the leaves and stems still healthy looking ?
I would lift one plant and see what you find. If you can give us some more info,or post a piccie of the plants, we may be able to help further. It may be that there is nothing wrong with the plants - when did you plant them? It maybe that if you got them in early, they have already matured - have they flowered yet ?

[Jon B]

Planted 26 April after chitting. Dug one up and have spuds from a large egg size downwards i.e. small. Wondering about lack of water now you mention it, live in SE Kent and haven't had much water since June. I don't remember them flowering but this may be my memory! Don't have photo at this time.

[sewer rat]

Jon
I have 4 varieties of tatties in, including one maincrop - King Edwards - and believ me I have seen no real rain since about the end of April. Tatties will perform better with rain but you would be surprised how well they can get by on just a bit af rain and some heavy dews.
My King Eddies are not ready but are about egg sized and down just now, but are still flowering. If you can post a photo, it might help as it certainly doesn't sound as if they should be dying back just now.

[Jon B]

thanks; will try to get down allotment for photo on Thursday or Friday...

[Two_Sheds]

Are you sure it's Maris Piper (maincrop) and not Maris Peer? (2nd early)

[Snadger]

If they get badly 'droughted' they can hit a stage called 'permanent wilting point.'
If they have got to this stage they won't recover and wysiwyg I'm afraid!