Potatoes and Water Do they Mix

[Getoffmylande]

just a quick question, we have only had an allotment for a month or so and have set potatoes(rather late we feel) but yesterday afternoon we went down and decided to water all our youbg crops. My next door neighbour so to speak came over and said it would be better if we didn't water them as once we started doing so we would end up having to spray them every 7-10 days or so to prevent blight. Any answers gratefully accepted from the more experienced or knowledgable out there. Many thanks

Nikki And Nigel Plot 2

[Lesley Jay]

It could be that the site is prone to blight and not watering the potatoes could be the way they reduce blight attacks. I don't know. I would talk to some of the other plot holders and ask their opinions. We water our potato plants every other day - when it's not raining!!

[poultrychat]

I'm not sure what causes blight but isn't it something to do with the humidity in the air or maybe that just encourages it so maybe the other holder was trying to say if you keep on watering them then you are more likly to get it. I very rarely water mine but then again I'm just lazy

[Squirrel]

I think you are right Poultrychat. It is something to do with the humity making the conditions right for the spores already around to do their evil duty! As wel all know once it sets in it spreads so fast!

[Doggler]

What about potatoes grown in pots? How often do they need watering?

[leona]

i read in a book by the head gardener at audley end that he dosent water ones in the ground until they are in flower. my container ones i just watered today for the first time but the ones in the soil are fine.

[poultrychat]

Doggler This is only my second year growing spuds but from everything I read it seems to suggest that potatoes like it damp if that's any help

[Peardrops]

We all water spuds on our allotments, we have never had blight that affects our spuds, but 2 years ago everyone lost their tomatoes, and I am told by those who know better than me that this year is a blight year, so I will spray my toms and possibly spuds with a copper sulphate solution later this month, I think it is mentioned in the new GYO mag for July.

[Doggler]

Thanks Poultrychat! Pots seem to dry out so quickly compared to the soil but I've been a bit nervous about overwatering.

[leona]

ah well. itl be interesting to compair crops then as im not going to water my spuds that are in the ground until they flower.

[poultrychat]

I have 4 different types in the ground and I haven't watered anything - yet!

[janie]

I've watered some of mine in pots, when they have been really dried out and had wilted-poor things!.
The ones I lost to early blight (also in pots ) happened in the last few weeks of last month when we had that really rainy patch followed by a little bit of warmth - I didn't water them.
Luckily my remaining potatoes seem to be ok (blight free) so I am letting them grow on. I also lost some, but not all of my tomatoes.
Keeping my eyes peeled.

[janie]

This might be useful?
I was directed to loads of info by other Grape-viners too. There are loads of interesting/ informative links if you look on The PESTS AND DISEASES section further down the main Forum menu, Plus some resistant varieties for next year.
It's in my lament titled:
A blight-tomato problem this time....

[Peter]

If your local farmers grow potatoes you will invariably notice them irrigating them.

Reason.
In a good potato growing year for non-irrigated spuds you will get a 10% increase in crop if you irrigate. Imagine the difference in a bad year.