Description of the potato variety Elizabeth, features of cultivation and care
Today on the market among varieties of potatoes new items prevail, but the old, time-tested varieties have not been canceled either. One of these is Elizabeth potatoes. The difference of this variety from others in the complex of its inherent advantages. The good taste characteristics of the vegetable and the snow-white pulp, as well as the generous harvest that the plant gives to gardeners, cannot leave anyone indifferent. These and other advantages have made this variety desirable in every household where potatoes are grown.
Description of the variety
It is a mid-early, table variety and is often grown commercially. Its pulp is rich in protein, amino acids and vitamins. The peculiarity of Elizabeth is in the amicable ripening and the absence of the process of degeneration of the variety.
The bush of this potato, if compared with other varieties, is compact in size, its leaves are large, dark green, pubescent and wavy edges. The flowering of the bush is inexpressive, with further dropping of the ovaries, it does not form fruits with seeds.
The shape of the tubers is round, slightly flattened, the skin is smooth, its shade varies from slightly yellow to beige. The flesh of the potato is white, and after peeling, and exposure to air, it is not subject to darkening. The mass of this varietal vegetable is from 80 to 140 g. The taste of the vegetable is at a high level, the amount of starch present in the fruits is average and becomes 13–18%.
The yield of the Elizaveta variety pleasantly surprises - under each bush there are on average up to 10 tubers, and from 1 hectare, with proper care, about 400 centners of fruit can grow.
The beginning of fruiting occurs in mid-summer, but harvesting potatoes possible only in autumn (after 2.5–3 months from the time of planting). The potato variety Elizaveta is resistant to changes in weather conditions and also has good resistance to diseases.
Growing
The planting season begins in mid-May, when the soil has already warmed up and the threat of frost has passed. Before planting a vegetable, the soil is cultivated. To do this, it is loosened, and nutrients are introduced, preferably of organic origin: humus, compost, ash. All substances are laid out together with the planting material in prepared holes.
The potatoes are deepened by 10 cm, and the distance between the tubers is about 35 cm, and between the rows - at least 70 cm.
Care for potatoes Elizabeth does not differ from the cultivation of other varieties and consists of:
- Systematic weeding and loosening of the soil. For the best development of potato bushes, you need to remove weeds, as it is a competitor to them.The top layer of soil is loosened to destroy the crust, which does not allow oxygen to pass to the plant roots, and also due to capillary rise, moisture loss occurs.
- A minimum of two hilling. The first time this is done when the plants reach 8 cm in height, and the next after 2 weeks, when they reach 20–25 cm. It is necessary to form a high, and sufficient width ridge.
- Irrigation. Each variety, including Elizabeth, needs timely watering. If drip irrigation works, it will significantly increase the yield, since there will be no drought period.
- Introducing nutrients into the soil. During the growing season, vegetable crops are fed with mineral complexes 2-3 times. Fertilizers are alternated with a solution of poultry manure or mullein. Foliar feeding of diluted superphosphate will also bring a lot of benefits. Such spraying is carried out one and a half weeks before digging up the tubers.
- Inspection of potato bushes for the presence of diseases and the presence of the Colorado potato beetle and other insects.
Care features
Potatoes are selected for planting material in the growth phase. For this, the most attractive representatives of the Elizaveta variety are marked. After harvesting, potatoes for planting are stored separately from the dining room.
On this potato variety, tubers of a rather large size are capable of growing. To stimulate their development, you need to remove the vegetative part of the plants 7 days before harvesting. After digging up the harvest, the fruits dry out under a canopy.
Advantages and disadvantages
Varietal potatoes have a number of advantages:
- excellent productivity;
- high taste;
- good presentation;
- unpretentious care;
- disease resistance;
- increased keeping quality.
There were no shortcomings of the Elizaveta variety.
Pests and diseases
Elizaveta potatoes are highly valued by farmers and gardeners for their resistance to a number of dangerous diseases. These include:
- late blight;
- cancer;
- blackleg;
- golden cyst nematode;
- alternaria;
- common scab.
When there is high humidity and low temperature outside for a long time, it is possible that varietal potatoes are affected by late blight. If the disease has been detected, the culture is treated with a copper-containing agent.
Of the pests, the most common Colorado potato beetle. As with other insects, the plant can be treated with insecticides. You can also use disinfectant solutions of drugs that are poured into the soil. To increase the resistance of this culture to diseases and insects, it is planted each time in a different area.
Harvesting and storage
Harvesting begins after the green part of the plants dries up. It is mowed and removed. You can dig up potatoes either manually or mechanically. After harvesting, the crop is dried, sorted and placed in a prepared cellar. Tubers are stored for several months, preserving all that is useful. If necessary, tolerates transportation well.
After the Elizaveta variety was bred, many varieties with excellent properties appeared, but, as before, this potato does not lose popularity and continues to delight lovers of delicious dishes from this vegetable. It can be grown both for yourself and for sale.
