My spuds are blighted

[Millymollymandy]

Happened overnight and hit one variety worse than the other. We've cut the haulms off the worst hit ones (Ratte, which were the ones also badly attacked by flea beetle and colorado beetle - the other variety Oceania weren't touched by either!). Not really a problem as they are 2nd earlies and fully formed, but they are very close to my toms so I am crossing everything here.

Also it's interesting to note that there were quite a few green spuds sticking out of the soil and starting to sprout. So much for the earthing up. Next year I'm doing it Jandra's way, no earthing up at all, as all they do is just ride up in the soil and have their spuds in the top 6" anyway. It's a complete waste of energy.

[ina]

Not good. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you... I only have tatties in three containers, so it won't be much of a problem if I get any diseases/pests. But a friend of mine discovered a sad looking plant in her lot the other day - stem was properly rotted off - not quite sure what that was! She dug it up and burnt it, in the hope that it hadn't affected any other plants - let's hope for the best.

[windy]

My sympathies go out to you...Ive lost all my toms and spuds to blight the last two years and it's soul-destroying It also seriously affected the household budget! This year I'm growing Sarpo Mira, a supposedly blight resistant variety - in a totally new patch of ground that was previously lawn so I'm not expecting high yields. So far so good - but we've had a cracking year so far down here, but the weather has turned and we're forecast plenty of rain over the next few days. I am watching me Tomatoes like a hawk

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks guys, taken off all the rest of the haulms to be on the safe side and dug up some of the big floury ones to start to harden off their skins, as these will be nice bakers later on. Let's hope I won't be making green tomato chutney!

[red]

mind you to be fair - I only invented my green tomato chutney recipe because of the blight

bad news on the spuds MMM - guess its only a matter of time before it arrives here. hope the tomatoes hold out.

there are lots of different opinions on what to do with spuds once hit. we have cut the tops, dug them up, washed them and stored in small bags, and go away with it.

[Peggy Sue]

I'm amazed there is blight about, it's been so very dry. I understood the risk was only if it rained for 3 consecutive days or more.... we haven't had 3 days in 2 months here

[Millymollymandy]

We had thunderstorms and rain on 4 days preceding the arrival of the blight - however I have had blight in the middle of a drought before with hot sunshine and not a drop of rain!

[Peggy Sue]

We had thunderstorms and rain on 4 days preceding the arrival of the blight - however I have had blight in the middle of a drought before with hot sunshine and not a drop of rain!

Ah maybe I should be more observant even though its dry- thanks for the warning!