I am growing some Autumn potatoes (Carlingford & Charlotte) and they
are just starting to sprout above ground level.

However, I have planted them right next to some tomatoes which haven't
finished cropping yet, but are starting to show quite a bit of Tomato
blight.

Is it likely that this could be transmitted to the Potatoes, or is it
a different variety that they suffer from?

If it's the same, have I left it too late already (since the tomato
blight spores must already be around) or should I dig up the tomatoes
now to give my spuds the best chance of not catching blight
themselves?

Colin
-----
(Sorry - no direct email. Please reply via the newsgroup)

Colin Malsingh wrote in message ...
I am growing some Autumn potatoes (Carlingford & Charlotte) and they
are just starting to sprout above ground level.

However, I have planted them right next to some tomatoes which haven't
finished cropping yet, but are starting to show quite a bit of Tomato
blight.

Is it likely that this could be transmitted to the Potatoes, or is it
a different variety that they suffer from?

If it's the same, have I left it too late already (since the tomato
blight spores must already be around) or should I dig up the tomatoes
now to give my spuds the best chance of not catching blight
themselves?

Same disease AFAIK, so you would be better off removing the tomato
plants.

Mike
www.british-naturism.org.uk

In article , Colin Malsingh
writes
I am growing some Autumn potatoes (Carlingford & Charlotte) and they
are just starting to sprout above ground level.

However, I have planted them right next to some tomatoes which haven't
finished cropping yet, but are starting to show quite a bit of Tomato
blight.

Is it likely that this could be transmitted to the Potatoes, or is it
a different variety that they suffer from?

If it's the same, have I left it too late already (since the tomato
blight spores must already be around) or should I dig up the tomatoes
now to give my spuds the best chance of not catching blight
themselves?

Sadly, I agree with Mike, your best bet is to remove and burn both the
tomato and the potato plants before blight further infects your soil.
Don't use the affected area to grow any of the Solanum family ( potato,
tomato, peppers, aubergine, cape goosebery etc.) for at least four
years.

--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

Colin Malsingh wrote:
: I am growing some Autumn potatoes (Carlingford & Charlotte) and they
: are just starting to sprout above ground level.
:
: However, I have planted them right next to some tomatoes which haven't
: finished cropping yet, but are starting to show quite a bit of Tomato
: blight.
:
: Is it likely that this could be transmitted to the Potatoes, or is it
: a different variety that they suffer from?
:
: If it's the same, have I left it too late already (since the tomato
: blight spores must already be around) or should I dig up the tomatoes
: now to give my spuds the best chance of not catching blight
: themselves?
:
: Colin
: -----
: (Sorry - no direct email. Please reply via the newsgroup)

It is the same disease but I disagree with Mike about not growing there for
four years. Blight depends mainly on the weather not on the diseases in the
ground unlike say, cabbage club root, and I WOULD move the crops around but
4 years is a bit excessive. You can still get blight if there have never
been potatoes or the like on the ground anyway

Robert The Devil's Advocate www.pafc.co.uk

"Colin Malsingh" wrote in message
...
I am growing some Autumn potatoes (Carlingford & Charlotte) and they
are just starting to sprout above ground level.

However, I have planted them right next to some tomatoes which haven't
finished cropping yet, but are starting to show quite a bit of Tomato
blight.

Is it likely that this could be transmitted to the Potatoes, or is it
a different variety that they suffer from?

If it's the same, have I left it too late already (since the tomato
blight spores must already be around) or should I dig up the tomatoes
now to give my spuds the best chance of not catching blight
themselves?

Colin
-----
(Sorry - no direct email. Please reply via the newsgroup)

We live in a very arable farming area and last year was atrocious for blight
but this year there has been none. The blight spores need warm but humid
conditions - I think it's above 65% humidity on 3 consequetive days with min
temp of 17C. OK, the temp requirement has been met but here at least the
humidity level hasn't been anywhere near that for 3 days. It might be worth
recalling if your conditions have met the criteria as it may not be blight.
Normally potatoes will go down with it quicker than tomatoes, so I'm led to
believe.

I too beg to differ on the 'not grow there for four years'. The spores are
air-bourne mostly so avoiding that piece of land will not go very far
towards protecting your crop.

Charlottes are supposed to be quite blight tolerant (don't know about your
other variety). If it was me, I'd leave your spuds in place and watch the
foliage for any signs. If you do see signs, chop off the haulms and burn
them but the tubers should still be ok. I think there's advice that
pregnant women shouldn't eat potatoes from blighted plants as a precaution.

HTH
--Alison

Colin Malsingh wrote:
: I am growing some Autumn potatoes (Carlingford & Charlotte) and they
: are just starting to sprout above ground level.
:
: However, I have planted them right next to some tomatoes which haven't
: finished cropping yet, but are starting to show quite a bit of Tomato
: blight.
:
: Is it likely that this could be transmitted to the Potatoes, or is it
: a different variety that they suffer from?
:
: If it's the same, have I left it too late already (since the tomato
: blight spores must already be around) or should I dig up the tomatoes
: now to give my spuds the best chance of not catching blight
: themselves?
:
: Colin
: -----
: (Sorry - no direct email. Please reply via the newsgroup)

PS I would take up the toms carefully, removing all visible debris and take
a chance on the potatoes. As they are already in, you have nothing to lose

Robert The Devil's Advocate www.pafc.co.uk

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

Since the tomatoes have been *very* productive this summer, I will cut
my losses and uproot them.

I don't really have the luxury of keeping this family of plants away
from the plot for 4 years, so will rotate next year but may have to
return in due course.

Colin
-----
(Sorry - no direct email. Please reply via the newsgroup)

In article , Colin Malsingh
writes
Thanks to everyone for your advice.

Since the tomatoes have been *very* productive this summer, I will cut
my losses and uproot them.

I don't really have the luxury of keeping this family of plants away
from the plot for 4 years, so will rotate next year but may have to
return in due course.

My suggestion about having a four year gap from the solanum family was
made because you already have evidence of blight in the plot and that
would be one way to eliminate it. Any steps you can take to break the
disease cycle would be helpful. When you have cleared this year's
tomatoes and the potatoes you could consider sowing a green manure
there, digging in the herbage before any seeding occurs. That could then
be followed next spring by a non-solanum crop, i.e. roots, onions,
cabbage or salad greens etc. then a complete rest from cropping over the
following winter.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

Xref: kermit uk.rec.gardening:164461

On Sun, 7 Sep 2003 06:18:09 +0100, Alan Gould
wrote:

....you could consider sowing a green manure
there, digging in the herbage before any seeding occurs. That could then
be followed next spring by a non-solanum crop, i.e. roots, onions,
cabbage or salad greens etc. then a complete rest from cropping over the
following winter.

Excellent - thanks Alan. I had already bought a whole pile of Green
Manure seeds but have been putting off any action because I can't get
my head round what to rotate into which patch next year.

So many of the Green Manure plants have to fit into this, so it's good
to get some constructive advice.


Colin
-----
(Sorry - no direct email. Please reply via the newsgroup)

In article , Colin Malsingh
writes
So many of the Green Manure plants have to fit into this, so it's good
to get some constructive advice.

HDRA Fact sheet GG19 gives excellent advice on crop rotation with some
examples of four year plans. It also lists the more popular garden
vegetables into their plant families. www.hdra.org.uk
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.