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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 02:38 PM
shirlthegirl43's Avatar
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Default Blight alert
Hi all. I have just received an email from the Fight against Blight team warning that there has been a full Smith Period in my area though no incidences of blight reported yet.

Does this mean I should spray my spuds with bordeaux as a precaution? I lost everything to blight last year and I am blowed if I am going to suffer the same this year.
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  #2 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 02:46 PM
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No! It's much too early for blight. Someone is just trying to flog you some chemicals!
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  #3 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 02:49 PM
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Not so Two_Sheds, BlightWatch is for the spud farmers nobody tries to sell you anything, they just send out alerts if the conditions are right for the nasties. I did think it was early but it has been very very warm here the last few days and was wet last night and the night before - prime blight conditions.
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  #4 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:15 PM
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Anyway, why are we both indoors on the Pootah, instead of outside digging and planting? Or drinking and BBQ-ing?
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  #5 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Two_Sheds View Post
Anyway, why are we both indoors on the Pootah, instead of outside digging and planting? Or drinking and BBQ-ing?
I am catching up on laundry and ironing, and alternating that with pootling in the garden (too hot for much digging) and the soil is a bit sticky after the rain too.
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  #6 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:40 PM
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For anyone wanting to get warnings regarding blight in your own area, here is the website for BlightWatch.

Blightwatch.co.uk - the essential service for professional potato growers
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  #7 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 05:43 PM
Seedling
  
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Early blight is a recognized problem along with southern blight for tomato's. If you google early blight you will get more details.

I would take heed Shirl .

Wren
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  #8 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 05:50 PM
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Cheers Wren. Think I will make up some bordeaux mixture and spray just to be safe. I would be gutted to lose the spuds a second year in a row.
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  #9 (permalink)  
Old 10-05-2008, 06:52 PM
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If you look at the potatoes and grapevines in my garden, you'll notice a pretty blue sheen on them. We have had a run of good weather here and tomorrow the forecast is rain and, like you Shirley - I'm not taking any chances
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  #10 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 07:42 AM
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I has a blight alert yesterday in camborne


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  #11 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 10:10 AM
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I had a look at blight watch, but it asks for business details etc. Can we join as non trade?
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  #12 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 10:25 AM
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I am not trade and I joined.
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  #13 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 01:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brooklynodog View Post
I had a look at blight watch, but it asks for business details etc. Can we join as non trade?
Just put n/a in the Job titile and company detail sections - it'll work.
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  #14 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 06:00 PM
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Done that, it works
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  #15 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 06:22 PM
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I was only thinking about blight earlier today but like Two Sheds thought it was to early. It usually hits here just as the first earlies are ready for harvesting. However I take the point that it is the conditions rather then the time of year that is the decider. However the number of potatoes I have planted spraying isn't really an option. Just have to keep my fingers crossed.
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  #16 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 07:00 PM
Seedling
  
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Shirl - how do I make the bordeaux mixture that you mention
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  #17 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 07:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anita Plot View Post
Shirl - how do I make the bordeaux mixture that you mention
I bought it at a garden centre.
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  #18 (permalink)  
Old 11-05-2008, 10:59 PM
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Does anyone know if this site is any good though or is it still just marketing? Are they postcode aware or just county or flippen country based?
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  #19 (permalink)  
Old 12-05-2008, 07:27 AM
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Post code aware - they ask for first part codes.
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  #20 (permalink)  
Old 13-05-2008, 05:22 PM