Blight already.... Advice needed please.

[gwynleg]

Yep - its got my seconds and remaining earlies. I have taken off the haulms but how long can I keep the potatoes under ground - do they keep best there (slugs) or dug, dried in the sun (ahem), and put in bags like main crops? Or do I really need to fill the fridge with them?
Thanks

[gwynleg]

[Tee Gee]

Cut off the tops asap.

Leave the potatoes in the soil and pick as required.

Use earlies first and second earlies next.

OK a few slugs might get into them but this is a lot less of a problem than if the blight gets into them.

Sorry to here of your problem

[tim]

Our RDY succumbed overnight!

[Sparkly]

Oh dear! Haven't been down to the plot today, but am dreading checking the spuds tommorrow with the weather we have had!

[tim]

I am surprised that it has been warm enough.

[Sparkly]

It's been warm here... boo hoo

[redimp]

I haven't had a full smith period since the 7th June.  Perhaps that's why we grow so many in Lincs!

[gwynleg]

But actually a neighbour has told me I am panicking too soon and it is just that they are dying back. What a relief. Sorry for the panic but I am still keeping a very close eye on them!!!!

[manicscousers]

we've had this, too..there's one bloke telling  the new people they have blight, he's got them spraying with dithane, I've managed to calm them down, their plants are just dying back, they're now the proud owners of some lovely spuds.. ;D

[mc55]

please look at my Vales Emeralds and tell me whether they have blight, or whether this is just part of the natural cycle.  Only one plant is affected in this way so far.  They are next to my main crop, which looks very green, strong and healthy (so far anyway)



I'm hoping its just sun scorch ... what do you think ?

[redimp]

I think it is the plant dying back because it's job is done.  Dig them up and enjoy them for Sunday dinner.

[MrsKP]

We've had 6 Full Smith Periods so far this month and although they haven't updated for the last two days yet, i've a feeling you can add another couple on.  It has been very warm and humid just lately and I've not been up to the plot since the weekend when I didn't get chance to spray.

I'm a little bit scared if the truth be known, but if I get out of work early enough, i'm up there tonight armed with my copper stuff and sprayer.  Fingers crossed.

[Robert_Brenchley]

No Smith period here since 6-7 July. As long as it's only one a month or so I'm not too worried.

[tim]

If this is not blight............it's ugly enough to be! But it's not rampant. Two rows have got it & I've cut down the haulms just in case.

Two different varieties.

[Susiebelle]

Will some one plse put me out of my misery whats "Smith period"

[growmore]

Susiebelle, I think its a 24 hour period when temp and humidity are perfect  for blight conditions  .But I could be mistaken  :)

[ceres]

"A full Smith Period has occurred when:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least two consecutive days where min temperature is 10ºC or above and on each day at least 11 hours when the relative humidity is greater than 90%. "

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

[twinkletoes]

I thought blight manifested itself by making the stems go black/dark brown?  Not just the foliage going yellowy.  ???
twinkletoes

[Sparkly]

I think we have it!!  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( Definately have brown patches on the leaves..... these are 2nd earlies though and the crop is ready. Shall I cut the tops off and leave them in the ground then harvest in a couple of weeks?

[redimp]

If this is not blight............it's ugly enough to be! But it's not rampant. Two rows have got it & I've cut down the haulms just in case.

Two different varieties.

What sort of varieties Tim.  Looks like die back to me - and I hope I am right!