BLIGHT - East & West Sussex

[veggiemo]

Just to warn anyone in either of these areas that we have blight in BN8 (Near Newick/Lewes) and RH13 (Southwater).

On the allotment in Southwater potatoes on all plots appear to have been badly affected.

In my garden in East Sussex all of the potatoes have succumbed and I have had small patches on at least one stem of each tomato plant in the greenhouse. The glass on the roof has been loosened by the recent gales and this has allowed the rain, and therefore the blight spores, to enter the greenhouse.

Wishing the rest of you better luck and some less humid weather!

Mo

[Nicos]

Got it in North Cheshire too

[Alison]

Got it in North Cheshire too

Fingers crossed it won't get to my house then..............

[roitelet]

Had it here since June

[momol]

I got blight in my area,first notice it around 2 weeks ago. Now all my 30 outside grown tomatoes plants are gone ! and not just that, my plum tree ( victoria ) got rust too It is really terrible !

Momol

[Earthbabe]

We've got it here too. First noticed it at the end of last month.

[Headfry]

Where does it come from? is it due to all the cold damp weather?
How long does it stay in the soil?
Will you get it every year to come?
thanks

[Nicos]

Some areas are more prone to it than others- it's always around and tends to be windboune as I understand it.
If it's warm and damp, most people will get it.
Best to be ready for next year by getting in copper sulphate and start spraying spuds and outdoor ( and even indoor!) tomatoes from June.
Make sure you have enough of it in now....you never know- there may be a shortage next year!
Everywhere I have read says spray from July, but quite clearly it does happen earlier!!
If you are in an area which is particularly prone, then try some of the blight resistant types next year ( or better still a few of different varieties).
Burn any affected foliage and I wouldn't add peelings to your compost.
Don't be put off by this year, but learn a bit more about your soil type and what is best to grow in your soil for the next warm ,wet summer ( ha!- as if we're going to know!!!)

[ian]

I'm told that blight, is a fungal spore, its thrives on damp conditions but require warm temperatures for the spores to survive. I was told it attacks the potato leaves first, then drops down into the soil and attacks the tubers. I think this year has been exceptionally bad for it. The price of spuds and chips will rocket!