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  • #1

    Potato plants browning

    Hi all, this is my 1st post, and my 2nd year growing veg. I started out last year as my grandad had too many tomato plants and gave me some. Now my whole garden is dedicated to the veg

    Eager to get started this year, i started my potatoes indoors in bags, taking them out when warm enough and bringing them in when there's a frost.

    Im in the midlands and the last few nights has been pretty decent temps so i have been leaving them outside. Im not sure if this has caused the browning but thought id give you all the info about my growing.

    So now the stems on the plants are starting to turn brown, which is a little worrying. Ive tried looking up diseases but most info says about leaf browning. the leaves on my plants look very healhy, it is just these stems that have turned. Can anyone shed an light on the problem? (pictures below)

    Now, i like to keep it organic where ever possible, but if there is a chance i can save these plants i would be willing to use any treatment possible as i have about 5 bags on the go.

    Thanks everyone

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  • #2
    They look fine and healthy to me
    Never test the depth of the water with both feet

    The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory....

    Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

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    • #3
      They look great to me I'm pretty sure that they are normal.

      What variety are they?

      Oh, and welcome to the Vine.

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      • #4
        Thanks guys

        I'll be honest, i cant remember the variety. I know they are 1st earlies though.

        Would the browning just be caused by the soil? It just looks worrying, especially the 1st picture half way down the plant. I tried looking up some pictures of healthy plants and never saw them like this.

        Thanks again for the quick reply

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        • #5
          Must admit couldn't see anything wrong myself. Some potatoes do have darker, sometimes purplish, stems. Could you add your location to your profile as these will help people to understand your local weather conditions.

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          • #6
            No problem. I live in Nottingham but have updated my profile anyway. The weather has been pretty decent here since the cold spell stopped.

            Well thats 3 people who don't see a problem, thats reassured me a little. I guess I'll just have to keep a close eye on them and hope it's normal

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            • #7
              If you look, it's the older growth of the stem that's different colour. Think of a twig on a tree growing, starts off green and then goes brown as it get's woody.

              Looked at the pic's again, they are lovely specimens and look really healthy
              Never test the depth of the water with both feet

              The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory....

              Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

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              • #8
                thats great thanks alot for the help. Cant wait until everything start REALLY growing out there

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                • #9
                  I think they look leggy/drawn, if anything, from being too dark while growing.


                  I'm also concerned that you haven't hardened them off properly (ideally, 14 days), and that it really isn't warm enough at night for them to be outside ~ they need at least 7c, day and night
                  All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                  • #10
                    Ayupmeduck and welcome to the mad house.


                    I too am in Nottm my outdoor max/min as shown temps as low as 1`C for the last three nights.

                    To night we are forecast for a low of 5`C which will be much better with the same for friday.

                    I also agree with 2Sheds they look leggy.

                    Throw a fleece over them at night and keep your fingers crossed its not the onset of blackleg which is an early season disease.

                    Potty
                    Potty by name Potty by nature.

                    By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


                    We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

                    Aesop 620BC-560BC

                    sigpic

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                    • #11
                      oh im aware of the leggyness. hence the stick for support. but surely this isnt going to be a problem for the potatoes down underneath? I have a second lot started outside in the ground covered with a blanket, owever these in bags i wanted to start early indoors and was aware of the lack of light. it was purely that browining i was concerned about.

                      Each day i have been taking the bags indoors. It was literally only the last 2 nights i left them out due to the handle snapping on 1 of them so i thought id risk it.

                      Thanks for the extra info though, i will make sure they go indoors at night when less than 5.

                      I guess i should ask where is the most reliable source of temps? ive been using bbc and they gave 3C for the last 2 night which is why i left them out

                      Thanks guys

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                      • #12
                        I have a min/max thermometer outside and have been a bit geeky and recorded it. I have a look at the weather reports occasionally but where we are has it's own wee microclimate so I generally ignore what they say
                        When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.
                        If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

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                        • #13
                          As an experiment I used soil in some of my pots last year and the stems went dark and then mushy and I lost the plants. It looks like you have soil in there too rather than compost? I think the soil kept too much moisture and rotted the stems. I hope it doesnt happen to you but looking at those photos reminds me of mine. They do look spindly. Hope they work out!!

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                          • #14
                            Can you remember what date you started them and what did you put them in (soil, compost or a mixture)?

                            If they've been in just garden soil for a while they may benefit from a good general purpose feed. Even shop bought compost only feeds the plant for around 8 weeks.

                            And yes, more light will help with them being a bit leggy. I'd make sure they're getting as much sun as possible (position wise in your garden) though that requires the sun to be shining!!!
                            The more help a man has in his garden, the less it belongs to him.
                            William M. Davies

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Paulieb View Post
                              Can you remember what date you started them and what did you put them in (soil, compost or a mixture)?

                              If they've been in just garden soil for a while they may benefit from a good general purpose feed. Even shop bought compost only feeds the plant for around 8 weeks.

                              And yes, more light will help with them being a bit leggy. I'd make sure they're getting as much sun as possible (position wise in your garden) though that requires the sun to be shining!!!
                              Then a potash feed for the last few weeks before harvest (eg tomorite).
                              The more help a man has in his garden, the less it belongs to him.
                              William M. Davies

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