Potatoes looking grim.

[Scoot]

pic host

Any ideas what's going on here. Only been in since start if May.

[Thelma Sanders]

Magnesium deficiency, try spraying with Epsom salts. It won't cure the already spoiled leaves but should stop the others going the same way.

On the other hand they may have decided they're ready - were the earlies or seconds, or maincrop?

[Scoot]

Spray the leaves or the ground?

[Thelma Sanders]

The leaves - do it early in the day if you can so the leaves dry quickly.

[Scoot]

Just need some Epsom salts now. How much are they as I'm getting a bit sick of buying stuff now. This year has been rubbish.

[Snow]

Just need some Epsom salts now. How much are they as I'm getting a bit sick of buying stuff now. This year has been rubbish.

I byuy mine from ebay and use them in the bath mainly, but of course use some for the potatoes, you dont need a lot really for the spuds, so maybe try the chemist, it shouldn't cost much.

[Jungle Jane]

How long have they been in flower for,because it looks like they're ready for harvest soon,the foliage will naturally die down,you can cut off stems of leaves that look unsightly. You don't need to buy anything,it's a choice you make,but I think so close to harvest just remove the yellowing or brown leaves,soon all the foliage will look a lot worse,then you'll know your potatoes are ready.

[Thelma Sanders]

How long have they been in flower for,because it looks like they're ready for harvest soon,the foliage will naturally die down

and that's why I asked

On the other hand they may have decided they're ready - were the earlies or seconds, or maincrop?

As you said earlies or second earlies could be ready/almost ready and won't need anything except harvesting

[Scoot]

They havn't flowered yet. That's a foxglove flower that's fallen over from last week because of the rain.

These are maincrop.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Potatoes looking grim can be down heartening. Try growing the variety smile next year

[Jungle Jane]

In their last couple of months of growing I give my potatoes a high potassium feed or tomato feed,have you ever fed that area of soil they're in? Flowers like potassium too,so the area could be lacking in nutrients? Have you checked under the worst looking leaves for aphids? If it was a fungal brown spot I'd want those leaves off the plant before whatever it is travels down the stem to the potatoes,if they were my potatoes,with no insects or cause for how the brown spots appeared,I'd cut off the brown spotted leaves,I did have to 'prune' some of mine,to leave just healthy green growth. By doing that you'll see if new areas get the same problem or if it is a nutrient deficiency the spotting on the leaves might stop once they've been fed.

[Scoot]

I've got some banana skins soaking in a bucket of water. That water is ready to go onto the potato bed tonight. I'll see what happens in the coming days and weeks after this has gone on. I'll also remove the leaves.