Potato and Bean pest/disease?

[Two_Sheds]

I asked at the local Bunnings (DIY/Garden Centre superstore) and the guy thought it was "blackspot"

Blight?
Factsheet about potato blight


the guy at the store is there to sell you something from the store, but I realise you don't have anyone else to ask.

Plants do always get the odd funny colour, misshapen leaf etc. It's perfectly normal & natural, it doesn't mean your crop will be ruined.
I always prefer to err on the side of caution, esp where sprays are concerned. Apart from the risk to wildlife, you don't want to be spending more on the sprays than the crop would cost in the shops

[StevePerth]

Thanks all good information. It's definitely gotten worse. I have sprayed them with a product call Mancozeb so we'll see how this week goes. Here is another photo.



The beans don't look too good either so I have sown some more seeds today.

[rustylady]

Is it windy where you are Steve? The damage to the beans looks like windburn or scorch to me.

[StevePerth]

Is it windy where you are Steve? The damage to the beans looks like windburn or scorch to me.

It can be a bit breezy at times but it's not howling all the time. I really think it was poor watering technique.
I have decided to cut my losses and pull them up tomorrow and improve the soil while I'm waiting for the new seeds to sprout.


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[Bigmallly]

I wouldn't pull them up Steve, the new growth looks pretty healthy. I would make sure the soil is moist & give them a good mulching.

[StevePerth]

I wouldn't pull them up Steve, the new growth looks pretty healthy. I would make sure the soil is moist & give them a good mulching.

It's not really, the new leaves are turning brown now too.


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[Two_Sheds]

... and improve the soil

actually, what are you using for soil? I can't tell from the photo, but it looks pretty black and not-like-soil

[StevePerth]

actually, what are you using for soil? I can't tell from the photo, but it looks pretty black and not-like-soil

The site was originally a small decking. I pulled up the decking and underneath was some very sandy soil. I dug in 1.5 cubic metres of soil conditioner which is "A blend of peat, sawdust, fertilisers, wood fines shavings and Gin Gin red loam."


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[StevePerth]

I also dug in 3 smallish bags of sheeps manure.


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[chris]

Was the sawdust / wood visible still? - in the improver.

Start a compost heap, if you have sandy soil then you'll need to add as much organic matter (bulk) as you can... Which will help to hold on to moisture.

When you're watering, try to water to the roots, and not splash the leaves- water droplets on the leaves will act as tiny magnifying glasses and scorch the leaves. A lot of us here sink up turned water bottles (bottom cut off) next to out thirsty crops - that way when watering into the bottle the water is going straight to the roots- rather than evaporating from the surface. When you do water, give then a long good soak so the water penetrates the soil (not really a problem in sandy soils!) - bit light watering a will cause shallow and poor rooting.

TS gardens on sandy soil and I know that she doesn't use it- but if you can get some horse or farm yard manure (where the farmer doesn't spray their fields!!!) then that really will add moisture retention to your soil. It'll take some years to improve the soil there unless you have a lot of money and buy in compost etc- but if you start your own heap, you'll be able to add the compost to it each year for nothing

[chris]

I also dug in 3 smallish bags of sheeps manure.


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Was it rotted?

My post above about using manure - I should have said make sure it's rotted or it can "burn" the roots of crops.

[StevePerth]

The saw dust wasn't visible no. The manure was very well rotted. I do think my poor watering technique may have been the main contributor.


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[grahamR]

Could also be late blight. If it is, you need to harvest the potatoes quickly. I plant blight-resistant potatoes, just in case.



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[RedThorn]

Don't pull them up and don't water in daylight water in evening as it gets that hot the water droplets scorch the leaves


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[StevePerth]

Well I didn't end up pulling the beans up, they are nearly at the top of the polls, have started to flower and today I've noticed the first bean pod! The foliage still looks sparse and sad so not sure how much if a crop I'll get. But it's positive!

The potatoes are a different story, they haven't deteriorated after I sprayed them with Mancozeb but there is no new growth either. It looks like they've completely stopped growing.


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