The technology of growing potatoes "Red Scarlet"

Red Scarlet, a variety of red Dutch potatoes, demonstrates high palatability that persists throughout the entire storage period.Contrary to the erroneous opinion, this variety, unlike other Dutch varieties, is distinguished by unpretentiousness in cultivation. However, certain recommendations to comply with is still necessary to obtain a rich harvest.

Red Scarlet is a Dutch potato variety with bright pink-red and sometimes crimson peels and inconspicuous eyes. The flesh is white sometimes with a yellowish tinge. Tubers are formed oblong, smooth. Their weight varies between 80 - 120 g, although sometimes there are roots weighing up to 150 g.

The variety was born thanks to Dutch breeders, then migrated to Europe, and from there to Russia. In the State Register, it is listed as a hybrid elite variety of table potatoes.

15 - 20 tubers are formed on the bush, and due to the fact that they ripen at the same time, all have the correct shape and the same size. The yield characteristic depends on the climate - on average it is 45 t / ha, although it can reach 60 t / ha. Variety refers to the early ripening, technical maturity occurs in 45 - 55 days after the first shoots. When disembarking in May, the harvest can be dug out already in early July; when planted in June, the technical maturity of potatoes reaches in August. The bush is rather high - up to 60 - 70 cm, branched, with leaves characteristic for a culture that have wavy edges. Blossoms beautiful pinkish-purple buds.

"Red Scarlet" refers to table varieties. Potatoes are not boiled soft during cooking, the amount of starch in it does not exceed 10-15%. It is also suitable for frying in butter, roasting, making chips. The taste of the root is quite good, it contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

The variety "Red Scarlet" is intended for cultivation in warm and humid climates, therefore, demonstrates high yield when cultivated in the southern and central regions. When grown in arid areas, planting with the ridge method and additional soil moisture are recommended.

Seed potatoes of this variety need special preparation before planting. The conditions for awakening of the tubers and the appearance of sprouts are light and heat. It is necessary to conduct vernalization (keeping the tubers in the light) for a month. The temperature should not be below 15 - 16 ° C. When the temperature rises, it is recommended to humidify the seeds by spraying water from the spray bottle.

Keep potatoes in this period should be in wooden boxes, poured it in a single layer. When these conditions are met, dense green sprouts with a violet tinge will begin to form after 2–3 weeks. To ensure the uniformity of their appearance allows the periodic turning of the tubers. It is important not to damage the sprouts. Before germination, you can disinfect potatoes with boric acid solution. Large tubers - cut. To prevent their rotting after planting allows drying of the cut in the sun for 3 to 4 days.

“Seeds” are ready for planting, when 2-3 tuber (probably more) dense healthy shoots of at least 2 cm in height were formed on each tuber. At the same time, the soil should be heated by more than 12 ° С. Usually landing at the beginning or in the middle of May. If by this time the land is not warm enough, you can postpone landing at the beginning or middle of June. Then the crop will ripen by mid-August.

For potatoes, you need to choose sunny areas, it is not recommended to plant this variety in the shade of the walls of houses, fences, tall trees, casting a shadow on the potato field. For any crop and for potatoes, it is also necessary to take into account crop rotation, it should not be grown for 2 years in a row on the same plot.

Not suitable for root crops and the land on which they previously grew tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other nightshade. Good "predecessors" are the following plants:

• cereal;
• legumes;
• spices

Potatoes can be planted in the vicinity of garlic, the smell of which repels pests. In this regard, several arrows can be placed around the perimeter of the potato floor and in between rows.

This crop demonstrates high yields when landing on ridges whose height is not less than 20 - 25 cm. The distance between the ridges is 70 cm. However, the Red Scarlet variety is also suitable for growing in holes. One should not deepen the “seeds” too much; a depth of 7–8 cm is sufficient. It is recommended to pre-fertilize the earth with a nitrogenous top dressing, and when planting, add 200 g of ash to each well. "Seeds" to plant sprouts up and sprinkle with earth.

Despite the relative unpretentiousness of the variety, it is extremely demanding of moisture and aeration of the soil. In this regard, it is necessary to develop an optimal irrigation schedule (with a lack of precipitation) and regularly (preferably after each irrigation or rain) to loosen the ground.

After 10 - 14 days after the emergence of shoots, bushes need to be tucked, forming around each earthen shaft 15 - 20 cm high. The procedure is repeated after 2 weeks. If after that the bush is excessively stretched upwards, it is necessary to carry out the third hilling. At the same time (2 weeks after the emergence of shoots), abundant watering is performed, it is recommended to spud plantings for the first time after it. The second time the potatoes are watered during the flowering period, the third - 7 days after the color subsides.

It will be required to carry out also 3 top dressings:

• the first portion of fertilizer - a month after planting;
• the second - during flowering;
• the third - in a month after the bush has faded.

Fertilizers should be applied only after rain or watering, otherwise you can burn the roots.

With prolonged droughts and a significant increase in temperature, the bushes need additional watering. In dry regions with strong heat, mulching is recommended. Usually used for this dry straw. The important point - mulching should be done only if the temperature rises. Mulch cools the soil a little, prevents its heating. But with a decrease in temperature, this method will simply cause insufficiently warm soil.

Another mandatory component for obtaining a good harvest is loosening the soil. This will ensure the air exchange of the soil, prevent stagnation of water, which, in turn, is the primary prevention of the appearance of diseases and pests.

It is important to deal with weeds, and when removed from the soil they should be removed from the potato field. Some leave weeds uprooted from the roots in the aisle, mistakenly believing that this is how humus can be formed. However, weeds usually begin to take root, growing again, but most importantly - rotting, attract pests.

After 30 - 45 days after planting, they usually dig a root crop for a sample. Analyzing the taste of potatoes at this stage of development, we can predict the approximate timing of its final ripening. On the technical maturity shows yellowed and povyadshaya tops. It is recommended to mow it during this period, and keep the roots in the ground for about a week. This will increase the yield, and will also contribute to the compaction of the skin, which, in turn, will extend the keeping quality of the roots. After the tops are mown, it must be removed from the potato field.

This variety shows resistance to nematode, potato cancer and tuber phytoftor. Average resistance to phytophthora foliage, as well as scab. As a rule, they arise when non-compliance with the agrotechnics of cultivating the variety.

The development of phytophtoras is caused by excessive thickening of the roots, stagnant moisture, and the absence of soil aeration (air exchange). It is manifested by the appearance of whitish or gray spots and stripes on the surface of the leaves. Preventing disease is easier than eliminating. When the first signs appear, it is recommended to treat the diseased bush and all the rest for preventive purposes with special preparations.

Another dangerous disease is scab. Unfortunately, it can only be discovered by digging and inspecting the roots. They have a plaque that further leads to the appearance of ulcers and cavities inside the tubers and a reduction in the shelf life of the crop.

It affects the tubers and fungus called alternarioz. This disease is primarily evidenced by dry spots on the foliage, which gradually spread to the stems.

Such drugs as Ditan M-45, Fitosporin, Epin can be used as a prophylactic agent, as well as for treatment.

It is better to manually get rid of the Colorado potato beetle, its larvae and eggs, collecting adults and larvae and crushing eggs. In large areas, insecticides are used. To protect new potatoes allows pre-treatment of seed material composition "Prestige".

When working with chemicals, it is important to observe the dosage indicated on the instructions, to protect the respiratory tract and skin, and to spray it on a windless day. If after processing or the next day there was heavy rain, the treatment is recommended to be repeated.

The variety "Red Scarlet" is characterized by good keeping quality, but with proper storage. As a rule, basements, insulated boxes for storing root crops on the balcony or special pits are used for this purpose. The latter should not freeze. The optimal storage temperature is within +3 - + 5 ° С. With a decrease in temperature, the roots will freeze and will be unsuitable for food, with an increase, the awakening of the potato will begin, which will shorten its shelf life.

Folding the potatoes in boxes or bags, you should make sure that it receives air, the roots are not exposed to moisture and light. Periodically during the period of storage is recommended to sort potato tubers. By removing the rotten in time, you can save the entire bag or box of potatoes.

This variety is usually recommended for planting beginners gardeners, because it does not require complex care. It is only important to maintain the desired level of moisture in the soil and regularly loosen it. Pleases gardeners and high yield varieties - from 10 kg with easy care can collect 30 - 40 buckets of potatoes. If the soil is good enough, then you can do without additional fertilizer.

The taste of potato "Red Scarlet" like most respondents. The skin of the roots is thin, with small eyes, which facilitates the process of cleaning and gives a minimum of waste. When cooked, the potato shows an average friability, keeps its shape well and does not darken at the cut. The variety is well preserved and even at the end of winter the taste of potatoes is not inferior to the taste of what is harvested at the beginning of autumn.

From the reviews of experienced gardeners, you can note a few more recommendations on the cultivation and storage of Red Scarlet potatoes.

• Do not rush to plant seeds in the ground. The variety is already early, so the best time to plant is June. In May, Red Scarlet is usually planted in southern areas.
• There is a feature of potato bushes to fall, to climb along the ground. However, this does not affect its yield. At this point, it is recommended to pile up the bushes to reduce the contact of leaves with the ground.
• If the bushes need to be protected from too aggressive sunlight, only agrofabric is used, since it allows water and air to pass through. Using a film, on the contrary, will lead to an increase in temperature and humidity below it.
• For planting potatoes for the next year, it is recommended to choose root crops from those bushes that bloomed earlier than others. Should be taken not too large tubers weighing up to 100 g, they should have a minimum of 5-6 eyes. Damaged, rotten tubers should be sorted. The rest should be cleared from the ground and sent to storage.
• Seed potatoes are stored in the same conditions as the main crop, but they should be kept separately. It is better to scatter the tubers in a single layer on the bottom of a wooden box.
• When planting potatoes in each well, you can put a little onion peel, the smell of which will deter pests.

When using planting material from the previous harvest, the maximum number of tubers is harvested for 3-4 year of cultivation. For season 5, it is possible to achieve an optimal ratio of price and cost of planting material.

For information on the characteristics of the Red Scarlet potato variety, see the following video.