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Malformed & diseased potatoes
Maureen Johnson
Posts: 2
Have just dug up Maris Piper potatoes to find a decent crop but many tubers are split - as though I've sliced them with the fork when digging, but that isn't the case - and some have tiny white thread-like worms on the skins - approx 5mm long. Some of the skins have really dark brown, smooth, patches on them and one potato is completely hollow. I've looked at various pest/disease pages on the internet and in my 'Fruit & Veg Expert' book, but can't see anything that matches. Does anyone have any ideas what's wrong so I can avoid this happening in future?
0
Posts
It sounds like eelworms. They burrow into the potatoes and leave hollow brown bits.
Thank you fidgetbones, that may well be the answer. I'll make sure I plant elsewhere next year and look into controls for this nasty. It's my first time growing potatoes in an open bed - in a new garden - as previously I've just grown them in bags with no problems. Your response is much appreciated.