"Indigo" wrote
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Indigo" wrote

Anyone had the dreaded scourge attack their spuds yet?

We've had a couple of plants looking yellowed and sickly and showing
signs of probable blight, so hubby's dug them up and salvaged the tubers
in an attempt to stop it spreading through the lot. Luckily the potatoes
seem fine and there's more than enough for tea.
[...]

I've never known it this early, usually end of July and August.

The OH remarked it seemed a bit early for blight but we have had several
days of very warm and rather muggy weather here in Norfolk; just right for
encouraging all manner of trouble. The two plants he got rid of (Arran
Pilot) also had stems that were blackening at the base. He said one tuber
nearest the stem had a rotten patch and was binned as well. Could it be
something other than blight? So far the other plants still seem clear.

That is Black Leg not blight, usually comes from infected seed tubers which
is why it's randomly distributed through the rows and it's encouraged by wet
conditions. Arran Pilot is one of those susceptible to the disease as are
Majestic, Maris Bard, Desiree and Estima. So don't grow any of those for a
few years and don't replant your own tubers.
Resistant varieties are
Second Early.. Kestral, Saxon and Wilja
Maincrop... Maris Piper.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK