Something is borrowing around and under the skin of my potatoes - Ask Extension
I have been growing my potatoes in large mesh pots the last couple of years in bagged potting soil. Both years and worse this year I have something bo...
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Something is borrowing around and under the skin of my potatoes #770772
Asked September 05, 2021, 2:18 AM EDT
I have been growing my potatoes in large mesh pots the last couple of years in bagged potting soil. Both years and worse this year I have something borrowing just under the skin and sometimes into the potao. What is it and how do I prevent it?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. Have you used new potting soil each season? I am unable to determine from the photo whether something actually is burrowing into the potato, or whether there is some sort of infection. Potatoes have 42 known diseases, and numerous insect pests. Can you cut a potato open, and take clear photos of what is under the skin, and how deeply it goes? Thank you for more information.
Yes I use fresh potting soil each year. If I cut to trim off the damage, I see dark lines going into the potatoes. Like a worm hole not a blight line.
I was thinking nematodes. What do you think? I will send cut pictures when I get home.
Nematodes are not an identified pest of potatoes. This page lists those that are: https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/crop-pests?combine=potato
Here are the photos
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 7, 2021, at 1:25 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
