Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: 123b on July 04, 2009, 17:16:36

Title: Blight/Smith period observation
Post by: 123b on July 04, 2009, 17:16:36

Using the charts on blightwatch, and my diary from the last 2 years.
I have noticed that in 2007 I discovered Blight on my Potatoes 6 days after the first Full Smith period was recorded in my area.
In 2008, I discovered Blight on my potatoes 7 days after the first full Smith period!

Does anyone else keep a diary? Have you checked how long after a SP you noticed Blight?

Title: Re: Blight/Smith period observation
Post by: Digeroo on July 04, 2009, 17:46:44

Could you just run through what a Smith period is.  How do we know it we have one?

Title: Re: Blight/Smith period observation
Post by: ceres on July 04, 2009, 18:02:34

It's all here:

http://www.blightwatch.co.uk/content/bw-Smith.asp (http://www.blightwatch.co.uk/content/bw-Smith.asp)

Title: Re: Blight/Smith period observation
Post by: Digeroo on July 04, 2009, 18:14:19

Thanks

Title: Re: Blight/Smith period observation
Post by: asbean on July 04, 2009, 18:21:57

If you register on their website they will send you a sms when a smith period is in your postcode.

Title: Re: Blight/Smith period observation
Post by: amphibian on July 04, 2009, 20:56:03

Really blight, or just that the first Smith Period happens around the time of first early die back. After all, we've had several full periods in this area, but only one confirmed outbreak in a commercial crop in the vicinity, and we have some big organic potato producers in the area.

I scouted the allotments the other day, no blight to be seen anywhere. Though I was told I had blight on my earlies, by another plot holder, it was not blight, just dieback.

People never seem to question why their earlies are 'infected' but the rest of their crop untouched.