Potato blight

[rodofgod76]

I've had a couple of bags of Anya potatoes growing in the garden for around 7 or 8 weeks now. In early August I planted 4kg of Carlingford potatoes for Christmas in 10 large planters and these were also in the garden.

Over the past few days I noticed some of the leaves on the Anya's had black patches on them and since them they've been decimated by what I'm assuming is blight? So too have half of the Carlingfords, though the ones around the back of the greenhouse seem okay.

I also had a bag of Charlotte potatoes growing, which had flowered and were dying off, but showed no apparent sign of blight so I pulled them this morning. I also cut the foliage off the infected ones, bagged it and threw it in the bin.

What I'm wondering is what steps can I take to prevent the remain potato plants from going the same way? I assume it's all of the rain we've had that's brought this on? How effective is Dithane at preventing blight and is it safe? Didn't really want to go down the chemical route if possile, but I think I might have to.

[Hilary B]

I buy "Bordeaux mixture" and at the first suggestion of blight on my tomato plants, they all get smothered (not having a sprayer I use it in dust form). Last year I couldn't find the stuff soon enough but it still stopped it spreading any further once treated. This year they got a precautionary treatment as soon as we had 'warm-and-wet' weather, and so far no problems. Bordeaux mixture has been around for a LONG time, and doesn't 'get into' the plants, it is a surface preventive treatment.

[rodofgod76]

Where can I buy Bordeaux Mixture?

[Hilary B]

I found it in the garden centre (eventually). Try a Wyevale (most branches sell the same things, and that is where I finally found it)

[ugly gourd]

My outdoor tomatoes leaves nice and healthy fruit got the tell tale signs of blight so I have to remember to water the green house tomatoes which are still lovely before I pick beans that are next to the blighty ones!!