Potato Problem? - Ask Extension
Hello,
First year growing potatoes. The ones in my raised bed look...strange? They've got white spots on them (almost like mold). They seem to have...
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Potato Problem? #805571
Asked August 10, 2022, 10:33 AM EDT
Hello,
First year growing potatoes. The ones in my raised bed look...strange? They've got white spots on them (almost like mold). They seem to have grown with "cracks" in a few.
I planted ones in grow bags this year too and they are doing great. Look just like regular store-bought potatoes. Same variety. Same soil (new this year as new raised bed).
I'd love to know what's going on so I can avoid it next year and I'd also like to know how to determine if my raised bed spuds are safe to eat.
I've included photos of two of the potatoes. One washed off and one straight from the dirt plus a close up of both.
Thanks so much!
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
Hello Spencer,
This looks like swollen lenticels which is caused by wet soil conditions. The soil in the raised bed may be staying more wet than the grow bag which would explain this. They are safe to eat but you may want to eat the ones with the spots first as they likely wont keep as long as the others.
Here are a couple of resources for you:
https://www.potatogrower.com/2017/12/spotting-the-problem
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/there-are-white-raised-spots-my-potatoes-why
Thank you for reaching out to extension,