colorado beetle on potatoes

[doris day]

Hi

I am about to leave my beautiful spuds - already in bud - for a few days.  I have just removed several of these pests - two of whom were mating!!  I fully expect many more.  Anyone have any ideas how I can protect my potatoes while I am away.  I garden organically.

Thanks

[Danny]

as far as I am aware, there is no other way but to pick them off.

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/potato_beetles.htm#life

Danny

[doris day]

Thanks Danny

With the low temps over the weekend think I'll be ok.  Your link is very useful tho because it I've learnt that even if they lay egg today I have a chance to squash them before they hatch.

Regards

[Gardengirl]

Hand picking is what is effective on home crops. Most damage is done by larvae, so removing parents and unhatched eggs should provide fairly good protection of the plants later in the season.

A few days away shouldn't cause you nightmares. Potatoes can still give a good yields with 40% of foliage missing, although it can look terrible.

Experiments have shown that potatoes grown on land that has been manured suffer less than land only given synthetic fertilisers.

Hope everything else is looking good, Doris.  [:D]

[James2]

No help with the beetle , but would love to know which type of potatoe you find grows well in France.

As I enjoy a good roast potatoe, the French spuds do not seem to roast well.

How about a King Edwards ?

Regards James2

[Danny]

http://www.commentfaiton.com/fiche/voir/13224/comment_choisir_ses_pommes_de_terre

Number 7 gives you a few suggestions

For all rounders, Agata is a good variety for many things

Danny

[Gardengirl]

I like Amandine for most purposes; lovely steamed or boiled, cold with salads, roasts well in our Remoska, and good when baked. Oh, I do like a good potato!  [:)]