Rocco Potatoes: variety description and cultivation

Work on the cultivation of new cultures are actively carried out around the world.A similar trend also applies to vegetables, the production of hybrid potato varieties enables gardeners to grow tasty and high-quality root vegetables. Relatively recent discoveries include obtaining the Rocco potato variety.

Root vegetables are categorized as the most sought-after vegetables, as they act as the main ingredient in most dishes. But the popularity of potatoes is due not only to the unique taste, but also to the presence of a huge number of useful micro and macro elements in the composition. Any gardener during the selection of varieties for growing on your site takes into account reviews of the crop, gets acquainted with the characteristics, ripening and yield. All of the above qualities deserve the highest marks for Rocco potatoes.

This root crop is considered to be the best hybrid of vegetable, it was obtained as a result of the work of Dutch breeders. Today it is widely distributed throughout the world, cultivation of culture is rather successfully practiced in the Netherlands, France, India and other countries. In addition, the variety produces excellent harvests in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Domestic gardeners and gardeners have been cultivating a hybrid for more than 15 years; it was the popularity of the culture that prompted them to become acquainted with foreign potato varieties, due to which it is grown on Russian farms on a large scale.

Tubers "Rocco" are recommended for cooking at home, as well as for food production, which includes potatoes, such as chips or other snacks. After cooking, the variety is distinguished by crumbly flesh, and the fried vegetable acquires an appetizing golden crust. It is worth noting that the name of the hybrid “Rocco” is common among gardeners, but this is not quite the correct name of the culture, since it was registered as “Roco” in the State Register.

Even being unfamiliar with the description of a variety of tubers, it is quite easy to distinguish it from other vegetables due to its appearance. The root crop grows on straight-growing bushes of a small size, the height of which, as a rule, does not exceed half a meter. Foliage is medium with wavy edges. The plant blooms with lilac inflorescences in a minimal amount, there are bushes that do not have flowers at all, which in no way affects the formation of ovaries.

Potatoes grow oval, slightly elongated, the weight of one tuber is about 125 grams. The peel is red-purple, smooth, with a minimum number of eyes. The flesh is creamy and very tender. Starch content in tubers of this variety is at the level of 16%.

Terms of ripening culture vary based on the climatic conditions in which it grows. Therefore, in some regions, “Rocco” is classified as an average ripening variety, and in others, it is late. As a rule, the growing season of the hybrid varies from 70-150 days. Determine the readiness of the root for assembly can be as the plants - the tops become yellow, and then completely disappears. On average, one nest forms from ten to twelve tubers.

Potatoes are distinguished by good transportability, and if the correct temperature in the room is observed, the crop will be suitable for use for another six months from the date of harvest. It is noteworthy that the tubers in the cool does not germinate, do not rot and retain their taste qualities at the same level. Root yield, even in the most difficult weather conditions, is about 400 centners per hectare of land.

To get the most complete description of the variety "Rocco", it is worthwhile to dwell on the positive qualities of the culture and the available disadvantages. The plant has the following set of advantages:

• widespread use in cooking various cuisines of the world;
• high level of adaptation after disembarkation;
• rapid germination of bushes;
• tastes, which are rated the highest score;
• yield;
• resistance to dry weather conditions;
• external attractiveness of tubers;
• commodity value - most root vegetables have the correct shape and the same size;
• resistance to temperature fluctuations;
• unpretentious cultivation;
• keeping quality and transportability;
• immunity to most diseases, including potato cancer, golden nematode, striped mosaic, etc.

Despite the serious work that Dutch breeders have done, the variety has several drawbacks:

• low level of resistance to late blight;
• average adaptation to the climate of the northern regions.

To get a good harvest of Rocco potatoes, you should follow certain rules concerning the cultivation of the plant. The hybrid does not tolerate a dense and acidic soil, since the characteristics of such a soil hinder the proper growth of the plant due to the fact that the bushes cannot receive the necessary amount of useful micro and macro elements.

To bring the level of acidity of the land to the site to normal, in the fall is carried out soil liming, for this purpose dolomite flour is used in the ratio of 300 grams per 1 m2. As an organic additive in this case, the use of manure will be effective. It is necessary from 5 to 10 kilograms on the same garden area.

Immediately before planting potatoes, you need to fertilize the soil, use of siderats will be a good option, they are planted on the site a few weeks before the Rocco planting is planned, and then dug up. Ash can be added to each well when tubers are planted, so that the future harvest will be enriched with starch, which will increase its storage time after harvest.

Five days later, the roots should appear on the tubers, then the planting material can be placed in a cooler room with a sufficient level of lighting. Preparatory activities on average take about 4 weeks. Before sowing, you will need to process potatoes for diseases, for this purpose you can use "Epin", copper sulphate, a weakly concentrated solution of potassium permanganate.

The potato itself can be planted in the following ways:

• trench seeding;
• smooth fit;
• landing by the ridge method (the best option for rainy regions).

The distance between the holes is determined based on the size of the planting material. The optimal distance between the holes is 30 centimeters, between the rows - about 70 centimeters with a minimum depth of planting of 10 centimeters. Small potatoes can be planted in holes for several pieces, but not more than three. After planting the wells need to pour and sprinkle with soil. One well will need about 0.5 liters of water.

Landing dates are determined individually, taking into account the climatic features of the region. In areas with a temperate climate, it is worth starting work in late March or early April.

As for activities related to the cultivation of vegetables after planting, A number of features should be highlighted:

• plants need regular weeding;
• need to loosen the soil;
• the culture must be treated for pests;
• irrigation is recommended for potatoes;
• need to feed the plants with fertilizers.

Loosening will ensure good air exchange, which will positively affect the development of a young culture. Working with the soil, at the same time, weeds should be removed in the beds, as they clog the ground and absorb nutrients from it, which are so necessary for the potato bushes. In addition, weeds attract insects to the garden.

Preventive treatment of root crops from diseases is extremely necessary, since a disease such as late blight can halve the harvest, and treatment will require a lot of effort and investment. That is why to prevent the development of diseases should perform the following activities:

• when planting carefully inspect the germinated tubers;
• inspect the bushes regularly and, if an infection is detected, remove them or spray them with special compounds;
• processing means from the fungus (fungicides), is performed when the bushes reach 20 centimeters in height;
• affected potatoes can not be left on the site, to prevent the spread of the disease they are burned.

Despite good drought tolerance, the Rocco variety needs moisture. As practice shows, effective irrigation schedule will irrigate the soil at least three times a week. But this recommendation is subject to adjustment in light of the weather conditions in the region during the ripening period of the vegetable.

The beginning for watering is the growth of green mass of the bush for 5-10 centimeters. For one plant will need about 2-3 liters of water. However, if you find dried tops in the plant, you can increase the frequency of watering. After natural irrigation, it is necessary to loosen the soil to avoid crust formation.

Shortly after planting potatoes, he will need additional feed with nutrients useful for growth. The most effective for him are the following compounds:

• fertilizers based on phosphorus and ammonia;
• potassium preparations;
• siderats;
• saltpeter.

It is worth noting that this hybrid is responsive to organic fertilizers, therefore, the introduction of wood ash or mineral complexes should be carried out during the entire period of growth and development of culture. Phosphorus and ammonia have a positive effect on the process of photosynthesis, potash compounds in the future will increase the shelf life of tubers.

There are certain recommendations regarding the timing of picking potatoes. As a rule, young roots can be dug no earlier than 70 days after planting. Harvesting the remaining crop is carried out after the tops on the plants become completely dry.

Before you put the potatoes in a room for permanent storage, it needs a good drying. Usually, the harvest for a couple of hours is left to lie on the bed, after which it is finally completely dried under a canopy for at least three weeks. During the drying of the vegetables, it is necessary to sort the potatoes and be sure to remove unhealthy or damaged tubers during the assembly process.

In order for the variety to survive without any particular losses until the next planting season, it is worthwhile to choose the right container for its storage. Best of all, wooden crates with cracks are suitable for such purposes; this option will ensure air circulation, which will help avoid the processes of rotting vegetables.

You can store the tubers in the nylon nets, so you can save space in a room designed for storing crops. The main requirement for the room is to maintain a constant temperature, which should not be above + 4 ° C, and, at a temperature below + 2 ° C, the potato can freeze. You should also take care that it was dark and the air was sufficiently humid.

You will learn more about the Rocco potato variety in the following video.