is this scab?????

[chilli_grower]

Can someone please confirm that this is 'scab' on my potatoes?

THank you!

[Bigmallly]

It doesn't look like scab to me. What are they like when you cut into them?

[Martin H]

I don't know what this is. Are they Rooster? Many of my Rooster potatoes looked like that. They are fine inside though, the wrinkling is only on the surface.

I assumed it was caused by uneven watering, a bit like when potato skins split. But maybe there will be an expert along soon...

[KevinM67]

They actually look really good to me - however, I'm certainly no expert.

As the other contributors to this thread have suggested - slice one and look inside.

[bearded bloke]

This disorder is called elephant or alligator hide on russet varieties and fish skin or turtle back on red and white varieties. It is characterized by a thick russet appearance to the skin due to furrowing or cracking of the skin. Causes and practices to control it are not known. Russet Burbank seems to be especially susceptible.

Taken from ......... Physiological Disorders -- UNL Potato Education Guide | CropWatch | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

[Martin H]

Thanks BB, useful page.

My rooster crop had some growth cracking as well, described on that same page. That's apparently caused by uneven watering earlier in the season, so I'll stick with my hypothesis for now.

[bearded bloke]

I've had similar shallow cracking in the past,scraped or peeled they cook & taste fine I suspect that boiled with the skin on they would be good to eat,but may not look too appetizing.
The bulk of my potato problems are also caused by erratic watering as well Martin

[KevinM67]

Taken from ......... Physiological Disorders -- UNL Potato Education Guide | CropWatch | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

I only had a quick skim-read of the link you provided, however - I couldn't see if the OP's problem meant their potatoes were inedible or not ?

[Martin H]

They are definitely edible. Well, mine are.

[chilli_grower]

hi all,

they are perfectly edible, and are perfect inside.

They just have this mild 'cracking' on the skin....

They are Setanta variety, a freebie from T and M at the beginning of the year.

I pulled these today, and had 7lb 12oz worth, from just 5 seed potatoes!

[Penellype]

I've had similar occasionally on Desiree - definitely not scab. The only difference you will notice is that when you peel them the skins are a bit thicker. They should be perfect inside and definitely edible.

Scabs are raised, brownish, lumpy areas which tend to have brownish marks on the flesh underneath them. I get quite a bit of scab, but you can just cut it off and the potatoes are otherwise fine. The main problem with it is that it provides a weak area where slugs or millipedes can get into the potato and eat it.

[chilli_grower]

ok great, it's just that my first earlies had perfectly smooth skin, and I assumed the maincrop would be the same....

[Green Gerkin]

Good to hear they are ok CG, I have the same crop but haven't lifted then yet, I may take a sneaky peak tomorrow. Handy to know what they look like and that they are fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[Dorothy rouse]

I have to, mine are in bags, so may not be so good, I think yours look lovely cg. I hardly ever peel potatoes, just a wash, then cook in the skins, lovely.

Scab, kind of looks 'scabbier',and you can rub the scabby bits off, and still use them.

[chilli_grower]

Thanks Dorothy, I hope yours are good too!!!

I will be cooking some of them up tomorrow.

I also rarely peel potatoes. I do not even peel them when making mash.