Potatoes

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have harvested 3 out of 6 bins of spuds up to now and am slightly disappointed to say the least. About 10% of the crop are a black, gooey, smelly mess.

Been racking my little brain as to what could have caused it, I know it wasn't blight either early or late. So my first thought was drainage blocked, laid in water and rotted, however its happened over three separate bins and most of the spuds including those next to the effected ones are fine.

One thought I did have was that last year was a very bad year for seed potato's, loads were rotted of in flooded fields and I did notice the seed was not up to the usual standard, so maybe this was the problem.

Look forward to your thoughts.

Potty.

[lottie dolly]

sorry cannot be of help,only offer sympathy,does seem odd though,maybe it was duff seed,

[veggiechicken]

What variety were they Potty?
In sympathy, Veggie

[SarzWix]

Blackleg maybe? I had a few go down to that. It's carried in the seed I believe.

[WendyC]

I would agree with Sara. I had some Lady Christl with this. As you say others next to them were fine. I thought at first the foliage was dying off as it was harvest time but when you looked closely the stem was black at soil level and below. It was around early July, when our plots were being judged for annual competition. The judge who is something big in veg growing suggested some disinfecting of the soil but as I won't be growing spuds there for 4 years I haven't bothered. Only mention it as I wonder whether you shouldn't re use your compost for potatoes next year.

[Potstubsdustbins]

No sign on the haulm of anything unusual they are Picasso.

I had the Hessayon book out and read up no clues in there, its just that about 1 in 10 have rotted.

Potty

[Potstubsdustbins]

Wendy yes I reuse my compost but try to change things round what grew spuds this year will be put in the brassica beds and bean pots next year. Not exactly rotation but about the best I can do growing the way I do.

Potty

[solway cropper]

I lost a lot of Lady Christl to blackleg and quite a few of the Picasso were affected with PCN. Like potty I re-use my compost but anything that had potatoes last year is kept well clear of them this year.

I blame a combination of dodgy seed and it just being one of those years. On a positive note most other crops have performed very well. You can't win em all!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Bit of an update.

Took a beer with my mate TK last night and of course we talked gardening. He has had exactly the same problem, about 10% rotten tubers.

After some discussion we have put it down to bad seed due to last years rubbish weather. We may not be right but at least it gives us some solace.

Potty

[WendyC]

Harvested my Desiree at the allotment yesterday. I knew there was a rat in the compost bin next to the bed but I didn't know he like potatoes that much. Any near the surface were eaten. Had to bin loads.

[SarzWix]

I've had blackleg in about a third of my Blue Danube this year. Usually it just kills the top growth from ground level, but a couple of them have had it travel down and affect the tubers as well. It's definitely carried in the seed, worse after a wet year.

My worst problem has been scab though, presumably from the drought this year. The tubers all have it so badly that it's gone beyond the skin and pitted the tubers Still edible, but I don't think they'll keep very well.