That's a very impressive harvest! I'm growing Charlottes for the first time this year and this gives me some confidence. I've never had a really good potato year.
Thank you very much for your comment. I’m really pleased with the harvest and really surprised especially as I had blight. Luckily I caught the blight early! Kind regards. Gary
Thanks Gary, for the potato reveal, as always very informative. Question please, can you reuse the compost from the containers, which had potato blight. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much for your comment Sheila which is greatly appreciated. As the blight did not get down the stems or near the compost I will mix it with some new compost and a little fish, blood and bone and re-use it. Kind regards. Gary
Don't forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON and also the BELL ICON to be notified when each new video is uploaded. I hope you enjoy the videos and let me know if you have any suggestions for future videos. Thank you for watching. Kind regards. Gary
Lovely harvest! Can you please talk about potato scab. My second year planting potatoes but both times I’ve struggled with scab. Charlotte’s badly affected and Maris Piper. Any advice would be appreciate. Thanks 🌺
Thank you very much for your comment. Potato scab is quite common and very annoying! I found the information below on the internet which should answer most of your questions. I hope this helps. Kind regards. Gary Potato scab is a common plant disease caused by several species of bacteria, primarily Streptomyces scabies. It affects potatoes and other related crops like beets, radishes, and carrots. The disease is characterized by rough, corky lesions on the surface of the potato tubers, making them unattractive and reducing their market value. Although it doesn't generally affect the taste or edibility of the potatoes, severe infections can lead to a reduction in yield. The primary reason potato scab occurs is due to the presence of the bacteria in the soil. The bacteria can survive in the soil for several years, even without a host plant. When potatoes are planted in infested soil, the bacteria can infect the tubers during their early development. The severity of the infection depends on various factors, including soil pH, soil moisture, and the presence of organic matter. Here are some preventive measures to help you reduce the occurrence of potato scab: Crop Rotation: Avoid planting potatoes or other susceptible crops in the same location every year. Practicing a three to a four-year crop rotation can help break the disease cycle by reducing the buildup of the scab-causing bacteria in the soil. Select Resistant Varieties: Some potato varieties are more resistant to scab than others. When planning your potato crop, consider using varieties that are known for their resistance to scab. Soil Testing and pH Adjustment: Test your soil to determine its pH level. Potato scab bacteria thrive in alkaline soils (pH above 7). If your soil's pH is high, consider lowering it by adding elemental sulfur or other soil acidifiers. Improve Soil Drainage: Proper soil drainage can help reduce the incidence of scab. Ensure that your potato field has adequate drainage to prevent waterlogged conditions, as overly wet soil can encourage the development of scab. Avoid Excess Organic Matter: Excessive organic matter in the soil can promote the growth of scab-causing bacteria. Avoid using manures or composts that may be high in organic matter content. Instead, opt for well-rotted compost or balanced organic fertilizers. Irrigation Management: Proper irrigation practices are essential to minimize scab development. Avoid overhead watering whenever possible, as this can spread the bacteria. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are preferable for delivering water to the plants. Chemical Treatments: In severe cases, where other preventive methods are not enough, you may consider using chemical treatments. However, this should be done with caution and following all safety guidelines, as certain chemicals can have environmental impacts and may not be suitable for all growing situations. By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the occurrence and severity of potato scab in your potato crop, leading to healthier, more marketable tubers.
Hi Gary, if the blight has got to my potatoes how would I know. You said you would not be able to use them but what are the signs to look out for? Will they be squishy or really scabby? Thanks Paul 👍
Hi Paul and thank you very much fir your question. Once infected, the potato tubers develop dark, irregular-shaped lesions on the surface. These lesions are often firm and dry, giving the potatoes a corky or leathery texture. Infected potatoes may also rot during storage, making them unsuitable for consumption or planting in the next season. I hope this answers your question and kind regards. Gary
Fabulous result from just one container 👍🏻
Thank you very much for your comment. I was really thrilled with the harvest which I was not expecting. Kind regards. Gary
That's a very impressive harvest! I'm growing Charlottes for the first time this year and this gives me some confidence. I've never had a really good potato year.
Thank you very much for your comment. I’m really pleased with the harvest and really surprised especially as I had blight. Luckily I caught the blight early! Kind regards. Gary
Thanks Gary, for the potato reveal, as always very informative. Question please, can you reuse the compost from the containers, which had potato blight. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much for your comment Sheila which is greatly appreciated. As the blight did not get down the stems or near the compost I will mix it with some new compost and a little fish, blood and bone and re-use it. Kind regards. Gary
Don't forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON and also the BELL ICON to be notified when each new video is uploaded. I hope you enjoy the videos and let me know if you have any suggestions for future videos. Thank you for watching. Kind regards. Gary
Lovely harvest! Can you please talk about potato scab. My second year planting potatoes but both times I’ve struggled with scab. Charlotte’s badly affected and Maris Piper. Any advice would be appreciate. Thanks 🌺
Thank you very much for your comment. Potato scab is quite common and very annoying! I found the information below on the internet which should answer most of your questions. I hope this helps. Kind regards. Gary
Potato scab is a common plant disease caused by several species of bacteria, primarily Streptomyces scabies. It affects potatoes and other related crops like beets, radishes, and carrots. The disease is characterized by rough, corky lesions on the surface of the potato tubers, making them unattractive and reducing their market value. Although it doesn't generally affect the taste or edibility of the potatoes, severe infections can lead to a reduction in yield.
The primary reason potato scab occurs is due to the presence of the bacteria in the soil. The bacteria can survive in the soil for several years, even without a host plant. When potatoes are planted in infested soil, the bacteria can infect the tubers during their early development. The severity of the infection depends on various factors, including soil pH, soil moisture, and the presence of organic matter.
Here are some preventive measures to help you reduce the occurrence of potato scab:
Crop Rotation: Avoid planting potatoes or other susceptible crops in the same location every year. Practicing a three to a four-year crop rotation can help break the disease cycle by reducing the buildup of the scab-causing bacteria in the soil.
Select Resistant Varieties: Some potato varieties are more resistant to scab than others. When planning your potato crop, consider using varieties that are known for their resistance to scab.
Soil Testing and pH Adjustment: Test your soil to determine its pH level. Potato scab bacteria thrive in alkaline soils (pH above 7). If your soil's pH is high, consider lowering it by adding elemental sulfur or other soil acidifiers.
Improve Soil Drainage: Proper soil drainage can help reduce the incidence of scab. Ensure that your potato field has adequate drainage to prevent waterlogged conditions, as overly wet soil can encourage the development of scab.
Avoid Excess Organic Matter: Excessive organic matter in the soil can promote the growth of scab-causing bacteria. Avoid using manures or composts that may be high in organic matter content. Instead, opt for well-rotted compost or balanced organic fertilizers.
Irrigation Management: Proper irrigation practices are essential to minimize scab development. Avoid overhead watering whenever possible, as this can spread the bacteria. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are preferable for delivering water to the plants.
Chemical Treatments: In severe cases, where other preventive methods are not enough, you may consider using chemical treatments. However, this should be done with caution and following all safety guidelines, as certain chemicals can have environmental impacts and may not be suitable for all growing situations.
By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the occurrence and severity of potato scab in your potato crop, leading to healthier, more marketable tubers.
Hi Gary, if the blight has got to my potatoes how would I know. You said you would not be able to use them but what are the signs to look out for? Will they be squishy or really scabby? Thanks Paul 👍
Hi Paul and thank you very much fir your question.
Once infected, the potato tubers develop dark, irregular-shaped lesions on the surface. These lesions are often firm and dry, giving the potatoes a corky or leathery texture. Infected potatoes may also rot during storage, making them unsuitable for consumption or planting in the next season.
I hope this answers your question and kind regards. Gary
@@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen That's brilliant thank you 👍
Mine turned out gud even with blight still got more to dig up.
Thank you very much for your comment. Yes, mine surprised me as well, I didn’t think I would get as many. Kind regards. Gary