Potato pests (Rabbits)

NathanP · March 9, 2018

Potatoes can get early blight and late blight. Most commercial potatoes have little resistance to either. Where I live, EB tends to show up, but really has such a small impact that I don't worry much about it. Other climates may be impacted more from it.

The strategy to only plant early varieties is one method that is often used, and works as long as LB does not rear it's head early.

I prefer to grow varieties that are resistant to LB, but you generally have to get away from commercial potatoes to do that.

Regarding the rabbit question, I wouldn't worry about them. Potato plants can lose up to 30-40% of their foliage with no loss of yield. CPB can be much more destructive because they will completely defoliate plants, given the chance.

March 9, 2018	#1
NathanP Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: RI Posts: 183	Potatoes can get early blight and late blight. Most commercial potatoes have little resistance to either. Where I live, EB tends to show up, but really has such a small impact that I don't worry much about it. Other climates may be impacted more from it. The strategy to only plant early varieties is one method that is often used, and works as long as LB does not rear it's head early. I prefer to grow varieties that are resistant to LB, but you generally have to get away from commercial potatoes to do that. Regarding the rabbit question, I wouldn't worry about them. Potato plants can lose up to 30-40% of their foliage with no loss of yield. CPB can be much more destructive because they will completely defoliate plants, given the chance.