Potato Scab

Andrew Kenneth

Hello,

Just in the process of digging up my main crop potatos.

The first 6 rows were excellent in condition but, as I worked on,

 

the potatos came up with a scabby rough surface.

Just need to know if they are still edible?

I peeled one or two and underneath the skin the potato was perfect.

Also, will they store as well as un scabbed ones?

Thanks

 

 

Dovefromabove

Yes, they're edible - just peel them.  

Scab shouldn't affect their storing quality, as long as they're completely dry.  Just check them regularly (using your nose is good).

Andrew Kenneth

thanks

Alan4711

Andy i watched Beech grove on tv this morning he said scab was soil too wet ,we lost 50/60% of all our crop this year with the same scab but it was, believe it or not twice as bad as yours and we had to throw them

archiepem

you have  grown your own  spuds this what happens . spuds in supermarkets  are graded . yours will taste much better , enjoy .

Andrew Kenneth

Alan4711 wrote (see)

Andy i watched Beech grove on tv this morning he said scab was soil too wet ,we lost 50/60% of all our crop this year with the same scab but it was, believe it or not twice as bad as yours and we had to throw them

Alan,

We did have some torrential downpours this summer.

Maybe  because the affected potatos were grown under plastic with just a slit for the leaves to pop out caused them to scab and, rot (large amount) because there was too much humidity under the sheet and not enough air could circulate?

All my others without plastic were perfect!

Alan4711

Hi Andy were getting a new allotment very soon and were just not sure whether or not to try spuds under plastic like you did, ours that where a disaster were open ground ,mind you we did manure about 4 months before planting, But on a slope our drainage was good, its all sent to testus again init Good luck

Alan

steephill

Scab is worse when the soil is too dry, not too wet. That is what was said on Beechgrove too.

Andrew Kenneth

steephill wrote (see)

Scab is worse when the soil is too dry, not too wet. That is what was said on Beechgrove too.

Crumbs! so in my case it was the opposite. Having a cover of plastic stopped the rain getting in (as I never watered them).

The reason I grew them under plastic was to suppress the weeds.

I can live with a few scabs if that's the case.