Is this potato blight?

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Conor Dowd, Sep 1, 2018.

  1. Conor Dowd

    Conor Dowd Apprentice Gardener

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    I am fairly sure that my potaotes have been hit by Phytophthora infestans but I just wanted to check with people who may know better than me before I take any action.

    Are the brown and dying leaves in the 2 pictures below a result of blight?

    If yes, should I pull all the potatoes immediately before the blight spreads?

    I have 2 rows- about 5m by 0.3m and about 80 seeds which were put down in mid May. The potatoes are bionica which are supposed to be blight resistant but I was told that no breed are entirely blight resistant.

    Cheers.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2018
  2. Conor Dowd

    Conor Dowd Apprentice Gardener

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    Sorry the photo didn't upload in the OP.
     

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  3. Conor Dowd

    Conor Dowd Apprentice Gardener

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    Another photo.
     

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  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Personally I dont think it is blight'
     
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    • Freddy

      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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      I don’t think so either. If it is, they’ll go downhill rapidly, so just keep your eye on them to be on the safe side.
       
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      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

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        Don't think it is, but take the affected leaves off and burn them as a precaution.

        What do you think @Scrungee ?
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          I've had similar on my spuds most years, its never progressed into anything other than a few tatty leaves, and at this time of the year they are mostly dying off anyway.
           
        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

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          Far too mild to be an attack of late blight at this time of year in my opinion.

          Always worth having a furtle around one of the plants to see whether they're ready for cropping, and if so cut tops and lift spuds in a couple of weeks.
           
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          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          • silu

            silu gardening easy...hmmm

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            Some of mine have similar marks on their leaves as in photo 2. They have had these for a while and not gone racing down hill a la blight. The potatoes gathered from the plants are totally blight free so just think it's the leaves getting old and beginning to look a bit tatty round the edges....like me:lunapic 130165696578242 5:.
             
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            • Conor Dowd

              Conor Dowd Apprentice Gardener

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              @all -

              Many thanks for the useful replies. I won't do anything drastic just yet, but may pull a few tomorrow and cut them in half to see if the potatoes are healthy on the inside to put my mind at ease. And of course it's a perfect excuse to maybe eat a few tomorrow.

              I first noticed the leaves browning last Saturday. Would it be correct to say that if it was blight more of the crop would be affected by now? Only a small fraction of the leaves are affected.
               
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