An early ripe potato variety with a high degree of keeping quality "Red Sonya"
The ideal potato variety should be suitable not only for your own consumption, but also for sale. It is to such varieties that Red Sonya belongs. Hardy, with excellent commercial characteristics and easy to transport, the variety is suitable for cultivation in the garden and in industrial volumes.
The content of the article
Description of the variety
Early ripe potatoes with a high degree of keeping quality has clear advantages over other types of this common vegetable.
Origin and development
The Red Sonja variety was bred by German breeders.
Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins
BZHU content in 100 g of raw potatoes:
- proteins - 2 g;
- fats - 0.4 g;
- carbohydrates - 18 g.
As part of there is a full range of amino acids... 100 g of potatoes contains 20 mg of ascorbic acid; during storage, the indicator decreases to 30% of the original volume.
Other varieties of early maturing potatoes:
Useful minerals:
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- sodium;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- cobalt.
One tuber contains from 0.8 to 1% ash, starch content - from 12 to 15%.
Ripening period
Growing season from full germination to ripening is 50-65 days... You can try the first tubers already on the 45th day.
Yield
Red Sonya belongs to the high-yielding varieties... Up to 10 large fruits are obtained from one bush, the average yield is from 175 to 350 centners per hectare.
Disease resistance
Variety shows low susceptibility:
- to the black spot virus;
- stem cancer;
- nematode;
- scab;
- late blight of tubers;
- black leg.
Potatoes not affected by leaf curling.
Characteristics of tubers, description of appearance
The average weight of one fruit is from 120 to 200 g... The tubers have an oval shape, rich red rind with a smooth texture. The pulp is light yellow or yellow, it does not boil during cooking, the eyes are located on the surface, without creating problems during cleaning.
For which regions it is suitable, exactingness to the climate
I agree with the data of the State Register, the variety is intended for planting in North Caucasian and Volgo-Vyatka regions. However Red Sonya is not picky about soils and climatic conditions, therefore it is successfully cultivated in almost all regions of Russia. In the south, it gives two crops, it is successfully grown in other regions - subject to proper planting care.
The main advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Positive qualities of the variety:
early ripening;- excellent taste and market characteristics;
- high productivity;
- a small number of eyes;
- excellent keeping quality;
- ease of transportation;
- resistance to pests and diseases;
- the possibility of mechanical harvesting;
- undemanding to the growing region and soil.
Disadvantage - compulsory germination of tubers for an early harvest.
What is the difference from other varieties
Red Sonya differs from other types of potatoes:
- increased resistance to diseases and pests;
- early maturity;
- almost complete absence of small tubers.
Besides, potatoes almost do not boil during cooking.
Features of planting and growing
Rich harvests are obtained only when ideal conditions are created... It is important not to plant potatoes after nightshade crops.
Preparing for landing
Before planting, the tubers are germinated:
- seed material is taken from storage 25-40 days before the day of planting;
- defective, diseased, dried tubers are removed from the batch;
- each vegetable is washed with running water, disinfected in a boric acid solution;
- dried in a darkened, well-ventilated area;
- for three days the tubers are heated at a temperature of 25 ° C;
- laid out in wooden or plastic boxes with holes and placed in a bright place;
- cover with gauze on top - to avoid drying out the potatoes.
For the active appearance of sprouts, the tubers are sprayed several times: a weak solution of potassium permanganate, followed by an extract from ash. Germination is carried out at 18-20 ° C, then the temperature is lowered to 14 ° C. A month later, the sprouts should be 2 cm - if the desired size is not reached, add backlighting.
Important! Two days before planting, the tubers are hardened. The boxes are covered with a black cloth and sent to a room with a temperature of 12 ° C.
Ground requirements
The best yields are obtained on loose, fertile soil enriched with mineral fertilizers. The soil should be moisture-consuming; in dry and clayey lands, the yield decreases.
Before planting potatoes, the plot is plowed, fertilized with manure, rotted humus, bird droppings. Since autumn, the beds are sown with green manure, in the spring they are plowed into the soil.
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Timing, scheme and landing rules
Potato planting time depends on the region:
- in the south of Russia - early April;
- in the central zone of the Russian Federation - the first week of May;
- in the northern regions - early June;
- in Ukraine - mid-April;
- in Belarus - from the second week of April.
Planting is carried out after the soil warms up to 8 ° C at an average daily temperature of 10 ° C. Optimal landing pattern:
- at 100 m2 - 430 tubers;
- into light soil to a depth of 8 cm, into heavy soil by 5 cm;
- distance between furrows - 75 cm, between tubers - from 30 to 32 cm.
After filling the furrows, the site is mulched compost, straw, peat. This procedure is necessary to retain moisture and protect the roots from temperature extremes.
Growing features
The variety does not require a large amount of nitrogen-containing fertilizers - it grows well and develops without them. The regularity of feeding depends on weather conditions and soil characteristics, preliminary preparation before planting.
The nuances of care
Red Sonya potatoes require timely watering, fertilization, pest and disease control. Weeding and hilling play a large role in obtaining a large harvest.
Watering mode
Moistening is carried out as the soil dries... Timely watering will reduce the number of small tubers and increase the number of marketable potatoes. For high-quality soil moisture, the use of a drip system is recommended.
Top dressing
Additional fertilization is reflected in the weight of each tuber... If the land was well prepared before planting, then feeding is not needed for the entire growing season. If necessary, make phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. It is undesirable to feed with nitrogen mixtures and fresh manure.
Fertilized according to the scheme:
- 2 weeks after planting potatoes;
- during the formation and growth of tubers;
- 21 days before harvest.
At the beginning of the growing season, potato bushes are fed with a solution of cow manurewhich helps to activate the growth of stems and leaves. Later they use potash fertilizers, a mixture of "Superphosphate" and potassium sulfate. Before harvesting potatoes, a complex type of fertilizer is used, which further allows you to extend the shelf life of tubers.
Important! Urea and humates are suitable for occasional foliar dressing.
Weeding and hilling
Important agricultural practices in growing potatoes - loosening the land and removing weeds... In loose soil, large tubers form better. Loosening of packed soil is carried out after each watering. Weeds are removed mechanically or manually.
Hilling Red Sonny is carried out according to the algorithm:
- after the shoots reach a size of 8-12 cm;
- 20-25 days after the first procedure;
- when the bush grows to 25 cm or more.
Repeat as needed... If there is a strong growth of bushes and tubers are visible on the surface, re-hilling will be required. If left unchecked, the potatoes will turn green and become unusable.
Disease and pest control
The main problem of the variety is the defeat by rhizoctonia... This disease responds well to treatment with Fitosporin.
The most dangerous pests include Colorado beetle... Every year, insecticides need to be changed - the insect quickly adapts to any poison and becomes immune. For treatment it is recommended to use preparations "Euphoria", "Connect".
Harvesting and storage
When meeting the requirements for harvesting and keeping conditions, Red Sonya gives good indicators in terms of the shelf life of the crop.
How and when to collect
14 days before the scheduled day of harvest, the tops are mowed, which contributes to the formation of rough skin and dry eyes in tubers. During this period, the potatoes finally ripen: such tubers are ideal for long-term storage.
Harvesting is scheduled for a sunny day so that the tubers have time to dry out.... Towards evening they are removed to the shade, where they are left for 2-3 days. Potatoes are harvested towards the end of August or at the very beginning of September. The exact schedule depends on the growing region.
Storage features and keeping quality of the variety
After digging, a selection is carried out: remove sick, damaged tubers. Potatoes are sorted into marketable and non-marketable. The tubers are treated with drugs against fungal infections and dried in the shade for 2-3 weeks.
Prepared tubers are divided into small and large and laid out in different containers... They are sent to a storage with a temperature of + 2 ... + 4 ° C - there they will not germinate. The standard room humidity should be between 70 and 85%. If all conditions are met correctly, then potatoes are stored for about 8 months.
What can be the difficulties in growing
The main problems of Red Sony:
- small tubers - grow with improper pre-treatment of the site, lack of sufficient moisture, lack of nutrients;
- destruction of bushes by diseases and pests - in case of non-observance of crop rotation, the absence of preventive measures.
Tips from experienced gardeners and reviews about the Red Sonya variety
Experienced farmers advise for obtaining large volumes of crops:
- apply phosphorus fertilizers in the amount of 100 kg per hectare;
- feed with potassium at the rate of 200 kg per hectare;
- to introduce magnesium in an increased dosage.
Positive reviews about the variety, its cultivation and storage does not cause difficulties for gardeners.
Svetlana, Sortavala: “I planted this variety for testing, fertilized it a couple of times and watered it well. The potatoes grew large and quite tasty, reaped a good harvest. It was stored for 7 months, spoiled tubers - only a couple of pieces ".
Elena, Armavir: “For the last three years I have only landed Red Sonja. I sell a part, I leave a part for myself. In drought, the tubers grow small - you need to periodically water and feed.In my area, you can harvest two crops at a time: first, plant under film, and then in open ground. It is stored well, I am completely satisfied with the variety ".
Andrey, Syzran: “I was looking for potatoes with a long shelf life. I read the description of the Red Sonya variety, looked at the photo of the potato and stopped at it. Surprisingly, the safety was almost 95%. I liked that there was no need to periodically go through all the tubers in the basement and pick off the sprouts. ".
Conclusion
Red Sonia is a variety suitable for growing in gardens and large farms. Easy care, stable resistance to most diseases and good keeping rates have led to the widespread distribution of German potatoes in Russia.