potatoes not thriving

icon · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject: potatoes not thriving

hi folks i have two differerent types of earlies growing one is british queens the other is orla despite the very good growing conditions including watering in dry spells they are not growing very well
is there any feed i could give them now or is it too late?

Belfast · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: potatoes not thriving

icon · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:58 am Post subject:

soil conditions are good was idle last year grew potatoes 3 years ago

only pest problems are them ugly slugs which shouldnt cause any problems till later in year

they are in sun most of the day

plenty of old manure at setting

organic growmore when established

they have received plenty of water

Jane · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

Could it possibly be contaminated manure? Check out the sites I put up in a new topic just now. Seems it's a big problem in the UK just now and it's definitely affecting my tomatoes. Let me know if the symptoms match.

icon · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

NO THE MANURE CAME FROM OUR OWN FARM AND IS YEARS OLD
HOW WOULD IT GET CONTAMINATED

Liparis · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:14 am Post subject:

WOW! that's a bit of rude shouting!
Why shouldn't your farm get contaminated unless your "organic"?
Did you save your own potato seed? If so it could be tired seed. I've got that with my Home Guard this year and new stock will be used next year, yet the Kerr's Pink and Queens are doing exceptionally well beside them.
"Not growing well" is a rather vague decription of what's going on.
Bill.

ian · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:33 am Post subject:

Dear icon,
all we can do is speculate on your problem based on information you provide, speculation based on experience and knowledge but it can only be just that, you have to decide what sounds most appropriate and take action accordingly.

Regards,
Ian.

verge · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:39 am Post subject:

icon, disengage the caps lock please. Members should not SHOUT (type in capitals).
Post a pic of the ailing potatoes and we may be able to help you further. There is a guide to doing so in my sig below if needed.

icon · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 12:08 pm Post subject: potatoes not thriving

sorry about shouting folks
think i may have the dreaded blight again
sprayed twice with dithane to no avail it seems
its everywhere around here in sth kerry

what action should i take now

Liparis · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 12:25 pm Post subject:

If the blight won't come under control, I would lift what you have and use any clean tubours that are there and not use any of the tubours as seed next year.
Bill.

michael brenock · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject:

The potatoes could be affected with eelworm, blackleg, tonia or many more root diseases. The potatoes may have been planted too early or the sprouting too advanced when planted. if the potatoes start tuerisation too early then vegetative growth (stalks and leaves) stops and the plant swells whatever tubers are formed,but if leaf numbers are small then the total crop will be small. in maincrop this condition can precede second growth.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)