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Among the huge variety of varieties of garlic, summer residents are especially valued by shooters winter varieties that can be planted in the autumn, thus freeing up time for planting other crops in the spring. Garlic Petrovsky is a worthy representative of this category, standing out for its outstanding characteristics and memorable taste.
Breeding history of the variety
The Petrovsky garlic variety has been known to gardeners for more than a decade. It was bred at the end of the 20th century at the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Selection and Seed Production of Vegetable Crops. In 1998, the variety was entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation, where it is still listed today. The properties of this vegetable were highly appreciated not only by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, but also by ordinary gardeners, who consider Petrovsky one of the best varieties of winter garlic.
Description of the variety of garlic Petrovsky
In appearance, Petrovsky garlic is a perennial herb with a height of 65 - 75 cm. This variety belongs to the arrowhead varieties and has rather wide erect leaves of a deep dark green color, which gradually taper towards the end. The surface of the leaf plates is smooth, with a waxy coating, and is 8-10 mm wide.
The bulbs of this culture are quite large. They have a rounded, slightly flattened shape and can reach a mass of up to 60 g. In the axils of one bulb, about 6 - 8 cloves are formed, covered with dirty white scales with purple veins.
According to the description and photo, the Petrovsky garlic chives are oblong: slightly concave on one side and convex on the other. They have a noticeable thickening in the middle. The color of the cloves ranges from pale brown to ivory. The taste qualities of Petrovsky garlic are distinguished by a slightly higher pungency, compared to other varieties, and a long tart aftertaste.
Petrovsky garlic blooms quite modestly. Its globular inflorescences on long stems consist of a large number of small flowers, the size of which does not exceed 3 mm. The petals of such flowers are almost always white, occasionally pale lilac. They are practically odorless and produce very few seeds.
Variety characteristics
Garlic of the Petrovsky variety is very popular among gardeners due to its outstanding characteristics.
According to the description, Petrovsky garlic belongs to mid-season varieties. This variety is not too whimsical to soils, however, the plant feels most comfortable in loamy soil, where the acidity level is neutral at 5-7 pH.
Due to its high frost resistance, the culture is suitable for sowing for the winter and, with proper care, can give a significant harvest in regions with not the most friendly climate.
Bulbs of the Petrovsky variety are characterized by a long shelf life, are able to maintain freshness for many weeks and do not lose their presentation during long-distance transportation. In addition, this crop has a fairly high yield.
Yield
The abundant yield made the Petrovsky variety in demand among professional gardeners. Using a competent approach from 1 m2 garlic beds can be harvested every season 0.5 - 1 kg.The average weight of one onion, as a rule, ranges from 30 to 60 g, but can exceed 75 g.
As mentioned above, Petrovsky garlic belongs to a mid-season variety. The ripening period of the plant bulbs takes from 80 to 120 days, depending on the growing conditions. The following factors significantly affect the ripening time, as well as the volume of the future yield of the Petrovsky variety:
- choice of landing site;
- soil fertility;
- systematic irrigation;
- regular change of the place of growth of garlic;
- the quality of feeding and its regular application;
- preventive treatment against pests and diseases.
If you pay due attention to the requirements for care and pay attention to the culture, you can increase the yield of garlic up to 1.5 kg / m2.
Disease and pest resistance
In addition to impressive yield indicators, the Petrovsky variety is characterized by increased resistance to most diseases to which plants of the Onion family are susceptible. In addition, garlic of this variety has an increased resistance to fungal infections and parasitic organisms.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Garlic of the Petrovsky variety has a number of advantages, thanks to which it stands out favorably among other representatives of the species. These include:
- versatility of the variety;
- large bulbs;
- resistance to various pathogens;
- long storage time of the crop;
- good transport tolerance;
- outstanding taste properties;
- frost resistance.
The few disadvantages of Petrovsky garlic include:
- strong dependence of crop volumes on growing conditions;
- the need to transplant a culture to a new place every 3 to 4 years.
Planting and leaving
As for the peculiarities of growing Petrovsky garlic, this variety cannot be called particularly picky. Caring for the crop does not require special actions and comes down to standard watering, weeding, feeding and loosening the plant.
In turn, planting this variety of garlic has some nuances that should be considered in order to achieve a bountiful harvest.
Based on the description and reviews of gardeners who are familiar with this crop firsthand, Petrovsky garlic prefers sunny areas with fertile, not too wet or overdried soil as a planting site. Chives are planted 3-4 weeks before the onset of cold weather, so that they have enough time to take root and grow stronger. Otherwise, weak plants will not be able to survive the winter. In the northern regions, this period, as a rule, begins from September 25, and in the southern regions - from October 10. For 1 - 1.5 months before planting the Petrovsky variety, it is necessary to prepare the soil by digging it to a depth of 20 - 25 cm.
When planting garlic, Petrovsky is guided by the following scheme:
- The distance from the bed to the bed must be at least 25 cm.
- Garlic cloves are planted at a distance of 10 cm from each other. In this case, the indentations must be at least 8 cm.
With the onset of spring, as soon as the first sprouts of Petrovsky garlic sprout, weeding is carried out.
Watering plants is carried out from mid-May to early July, focusing on the degree of soil moisture - it should not be very dry or too wet. Watering is stopped 2 to 3 weeks before harvesting.
Feeding crops should be carried out at least 3 times per season. In this case, it is desirable to alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. The first feeding of Petrovsky garlic is carried out when the third leaf appears. During this period, the plant is fertilized with urea. After 2 - 3 weeks, the soil is enriched with nitroammophos. Towards the end of June, when the formation of bulbs begins, the garlic is fed with superphosphate. After that, additional fertilizers are no longer required to be applied to the soil.
Diseases and pests
Although the Petrovsky garlic variety has increased resistance to various ailments and pests, lack of care and adverse conditions can lead to crop infection. Among the diseases that Petrovsky garlic is prone to, there are:
- various types of rot (white, black neck, and others);
- powdery mildew;
- fusarium.
Preventive measures that help prevent the development of diseases include thorough digging before planting. In addition, it is categorically not recommended to plant Petrovsky garlic on the same site for more than 4 years in a row.
Periodically, the Petrovsky garlic variety can be disturbed by the following pests:
- onion hoverfly;
- onion sharpener;
- onion thrips;
- onion fly.
Ash powder scattered between the garlic beds helps fight pests. Treatment of the plant with tobacco dust after precipitation has proven itself well. Other folk remedies that repel parasitic insects include a decoction of bitter pepper and mustard infusion.
Conclusion
Garlic Petrovsky not in vain enjoys the fame of one of the best winter varieties. Due to its numerous positive characteristics and unpretentious care, it deserves the attention of both amateur gardeners and professional agronomists.
