Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi All,
Can anyone shed some light on what might have burrowed into my potatoes and eaten the centre out?

There was no obvious sign of entry, OH prepared them so there might actually have been a small entry hole .

Many thanks Caroline

If the spuds were in the ground, I'd put my bet on slugs. The soil-dwelling slugs are small and black and enjoy a nice potato for tea.

Yes they are in the ground, does this mean that I have ruined the rest of my crop?

Not necessarily - they may only have nibbled a few, you just won't know until you harvest.

It can also be a non-pest sign of erratic water supply, if I remember my Hennysson correctly.

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Peter is quite right but I think I'd put my money on the slugs.

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Erratic water supply or boron deficiency, as I remember. Slugs usually eat from the outside inwards. Was it a sort of raggedy edged hole with a hollow centre and browny/blackish edges round it?

Rustylady,
Have you got a spy cam in my kitchen .

I didn't know how to describe it but you've hit the nail on the head. Does this mean that you know what it is and what I should do?

Thanks

he he! There's logic for you!

But anyway, we want to know about what causes the raggedy edged hole...

Raggy holes and no entry hole are usually a watering problem. The plant grows quicker than it can cope with and creates a hollow. You can eat it (except for the hole!)

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Ah, I see. Hadn't come across that before.

Thanks.

ah, but the 'hole' is the least fattening part! tee hee

The tater with the less fattening centre, eh?

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Updated November 30th - Mr Stinky's Excellent Adventure (and a Christmas Cake)

Should rename it Polo.......the tattie with the hole!

Appologies Caroline........ for being flippant!

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Nothing you can do this year Caroline. Next year make sure the ground is well manured, or in good condition, set spuds and hope. The weather has been against us this year. Spuds need sufficient water when the tubers are swelling, but I tend to leave my crops to it on the lottie, except for new transplants.

I don't know I was going to market them as the "all new low fat Potato"