? Sick potato

[Hennan13]

Hi, I'm a complete newbie to growing my own. A few of my potatoes look as though they have been got by something. Please can anyone advise what it is and how to get rid of it. Thankyou

[Two_Sheds]

You've got two problems.

- curly blistering leaves
- something taken bites out of the leaves too

Slugs & snails will eat the foliage.

What are you growing the spuds in? Manure?

[Edward Ronald]

I am also new to this field and hoping to see cooperation from expertise to help newbies like me.

[Hennan13]

They are in a part of my allotment that was kindly rotavated by a neighbouring plot holder to make it usable. I took the plot over in spring, it was very unloved and full of weeds. I don't know when it was last manured though.
This is currently affecting about 4 out of about 40 plants but am worried about it spreading. I have used nemaslug and there seems to be very little evidence of slugs and snails on the plot in general

Thank you

[Two_Sheds]

Nemaslug needs to be added at the right time, or it won't be effective (temperature is critical).

There is evidence of slugs & snails: right there in your photo
Humour me: put a half grapefruit shell or a plank of wood, or a sheet of black plastic near the plants for a couple of days. During the daytime the slugs will gather underneath, allowing you to dispose of them.


Are there greenfly on the leaves? Check carefully underneath and within the folds. They can cause blistered curly leaves.

[rustylady]

Whereabouts are you Hennan, and when did you plant your potatoes? What variety are they?

[Hennan13]

Hi Two sheds,
I will certainly humour you and do as you ask. I will also put some slug pellets down though there is no evidence of slugs elsewhere on the plot. Can't see any greenfly or other creatures on the leaves but will take a magnifying glass down with me later to look more closely.

Rusty lady, I'm in greater manchester.
Just trying to recall which row they are on???? Hmm I think the potatoes are charlottes but my wonderful helpful neighbour earthed them up for me and buried all the labels. I had done a quick sketch of what was where but that is in the shed on the allotment. They could also be Maris Peer. They were planted on the 6th April or thereabouts. Apart from 4 plants the others all look healthy and uneaten so far.

[rustylady]

Oh that does annoy me when people try to be "helpful".

Anyway, as to your potatoes I shouldn't worry too much if it's only 4 plants affected. Just keep an eye on them.

As to slugs and snails, they hide away during the day so you are unlikely to spot them. Just notice leaves with holes in them.

[redser]

Looks like aphid damage doesnt it. Or did you spray during a hot day and they got scorched?

[darcyvuqua]

I have found ants strip my rhubarb leaves after using all kinds of slug preventives turned out it was ants

[Two_Sheds]

there is no evidence of slugs elsewhere on the plot.

Did you check under the soil?

That's where they shelter during the day, where it's dark & damp

[Hennan13]

Not sprayed.
Have been down with my magnifying glass. Good job no one else was there, I must have looked jolly strange crouched down between the plants inspecting them through the glass!! Behaviour worthy of the little yellow van in my husbands opinion !
Anyway there was very little to see, a couple of green fly adults but no visible tiny ones and there were 3 very tiny white balls (like minute pearls) that I squashed. There are a few other plants with a little damage but could see similar amounts on other people's potatoes. I will give them a spray over the weekend and I have put some slug pellets down and some black plastic to se what tries to hide there.

Thanks for your help, it is worrying me that something serious could be wrong and I will be so gutted if it ruins the potatoes. I have just enjoyed my very first produce ( a cabbage and some summer PSB) which were amazing and want to continue to enjoy what I have grown.

[Hennan13]

Did you check under the soil?

That's where they shelter during the day, where it's dark & damp

I just meant that there was no evidence of anything else being eaten and no silvery trails. I do think that the nemaslug has had some effect as other plot holders are on regular slug patrol as stuff is being eaten. Dam pigeons have had half my swedes though, wretched creatures!!

[rustylady]

I will give them a spray over the weekend and I have put some slug pellets down and some black plastic to se what tries to hide there.

What are you going to spray them with, and why?

[Hennan13]

What are you going to spray them with, and why?

Something to get rid of the aphids????? My mum swears by soap and water but thought I would visit the local horticultural society shop and see what they have to offer.
Is this not the way forward?
Don't know what else to do