split spuds

[ChrisE]

Do any experienced grapes out there know what has caused splitting in my Picasso spuds? (see photo) its happened to about 1 in 10 potatoes, they are still ok to eat but makes them a sod to peel.

I suspect it might have been inconsistent watering but thats just a guess as my tomatoes do something similar but don't survive it as well. I also grew saxon & anya and swifts but they didn't seem to suffer from this.

If it is down to watering I'll know how to avoid it, but worried it might be soemthing else.

Like many on grapevine I had a poor crop this year but seem to have avoid blight and have kept some in the ground to plump up some more.

cheers,

Chris

[baggyman]

My Picasso also had splits on them but with all the rain we've had I didn't suspect the watering to be the problem.
Changing the subject slightly Chris, have you tried to boil the Picasso?

[Hazel at the Hill]

My picassa look exactly like that and are massive! 36kg from 24 seed potatoes - so I'm well pleased.

Looking at your photo they splits formed weeks ago in the ground (yes - too much water in one go!) and have carried on growing. They will store perfectly well as they are - I peel them as well as poss then slice the mostly peeled spud along the split thus exposing the unpeeled bit for attention!

I'm using up the damaged ones of Pentland Dell and picassa at the mo - can't remember if the picassa are the ones which are inclined to go pappy in the water if boiled - but I steam my spuds mostly anyway.

[ChrisE]

I have not boiled them for a few weeks Baggyman, think they were fine boiled then mashed, but have mostly baked them.

We also did anya which are great par-boiled then roasted whole or just boiled. I grew saxons to use as bakers, but they didn't get big.

Chris.