Content
Traditional human nutrition is difficult to imagine without potatoes. Many delicious dishes can be prepared from it, so almost every gardener grows it on his own plot. In many countries, the Dutch variety Asterix has become popular and spread. It is a versatile potato that has many positive qualities. To get a complete picture of it, let's take a look at its description, features, photos and reviews.
Origin
Asterix potatoes were bred by Dutch breeders of the private company HZPC B.V. Holland, which is a world leader in the development and production of new varieties.
In 1998 it was included in the State Register of Russia. Seed potatoes were actively imported into the country and sold. Now it is possible to cultivate Asterix in the Central, Siberian and Far Eastern regions. Not many varieties can be grown in these areas, so it is very much appreciated by gardeners.
Characteristic
Potato Asterix is an elite and versatile variety that has a late ripening period. From the appearance of the first shoots to the harvest, 105 - 115 days pass.
The appearance of the bushes
The bushes of this potato variety are medium spreading, erect and tall. The stems are ribbed, they can grow up to 80 cm. The leaves are rich green in color, can be either medium-sized or large. The edges are even, without denticles and waviness.
Simple inflorescences are formed on each Asterix shrub. They consist of red-lilac flowers with a yellow center. Pollination occurs naturally. Berries are not always formed and in small quantities, they fall off quickly. But their presence or absence does not affect the size of the crop.
Description of tubers
Potatoes of the Asterix variety are medium-sized and oval, slightly elongated. The weight of tubers can reach 80-120 g. One plant forms an average of 10 to 12 potatoes. The dense pinkish-purple coat reliably protects the potatoes from mechanical damage. A small number of eyes can be seen on the smooth skin.
The pulp is tender, bright yellow in color, has an excellent taste. Asterix, like almost all late varieties, contains a large amount of starch - from 15 to 17%.
Dignity
To make the idea of potatoes complete, we note its main advantages:
- It has a high marketability, from 80 to 90%, which makes it possible to grow vegetables on an industrial scale.
- During heat treatment and cleaning, the pulp does not darken and does not crumble. Mashed potatoes from it are tender and aromatic, and crisps are crispy.
- Produces a good and stable harvest.
- During transportation and impact, the tubers do not wrinkle or damage, as they have a dense skin.
- Potatoes keep well in cellars at 6-7 ° C. It remains firm, retains its taste and does not lose weight.
- The variety tolerates a lack of moisture and dry weather well. Therefore, it is suitable for summer residents who rarely visit their garden plots.
- Asterix has good immunity to cancer, phomosis, foliage twisting, golden nematode, late blight of green mass and tubers.
This type of potato belongs to the dining room, because it can be a decoration for both everyday and festive tables. Many hearty and beautiful dishes can be prepared from it.
disadvantages
Asterix has no significant disadvantages. Its main enemy is the Y virus, to which the plant is vulnerable. If the potato is infected with it, then, most likely, the plantings will die. To prevent this, prevention should be carried out. Young bushes need to be treated with insecticides. By destroying the pests that carry this virus, you can save the vegetable.
Also, among the disadvantages, one can single out the fact that Asterix potatoes have a high cost and require increased attention.
Productivity and ripening time
Asterix has a long ripening period, the growing season is 105-115 days. For personal use, the tubers can be dug up a little earlier, but the yield will then be less.
It is a high-yielding variety. An average of 17-20 tons of potatoes can be harvested from one hectare. The maximum yield was recorded in Tatarstan, where it was 27 t / ha.
Agrotechnics
To harvest a guaranteed yield, you need to comply with the requirements for growing potatoes. This is an agrotechnical moment that needs special attention.
Sowing work should be carried out at the end of April or at the beginning of May, depending on the climatic conditions.
Site selection and processing
This is a light-loving culture, so potatoes should be planted in open and sunny places. In the shade, its foliage will turn yellow, the tops will stretch out, the flowering will be weak, and the yield will be low. If the site is in a lowland, grooves should be made around it so that excess water does not accumulate on it.
Asterix can grow on any type of soil. In the fall, the garden must be dug up, removed weeds and rhizomes. The site does not need to be leveled, and clods can not be broken. In the spring, the land must be plowed again. Before that, it is advisable to scatter rotted manure and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers over the site. Or add them later, directly into the holes.
It is recommended to plant Asterix potatoes in areas where perennial grasses, flax, various legumes or winter crops grew.
Tuber preparation
For planting, it is better to choose medium-sized tubers weighing 40-50 g. The more eyes on it, the better the yield will be.
A month before planting, Asterix seed potatoes need to be prepared. First, they are sorted, healthy tubers are left for planting, and rotten and sick ones are thrown away. For germination and gardening, the selected potatoes are removed to a warm room. To do this, it is laid out on the floor or in boxes in 1-2 layers and placed in sunlight. These potatoes are less susceptible to disease. When the sprouts grow to 5-10 mm, you can start planting.
Landing rules
When planting the Dutch potatoes Asterix, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
- There should be at least 70 cm between the rows. In order for the bushes to be well lit, they are formed from south to north.
- The tubers are planted at a distance of 30-35 cm from each other. This will make it easier to spud the bushes.
- If mineral fertilizers were not introduced into the soil during plowing, 1 tbsp should be poured into each hole. l. phosphorus-potassium mixture. You can also add ash and onion skins there.
- It is recommended to plant tubers at a depth of 7 to 10 cm.
If the gardener adheres to these simple recommendations, the potatoes will live up to his expectations.
Care features
In the process of growing potatoes, Asterix carry out the following activities:
- Harrowing. It is carried out several times during the entire growing season. The first is a week after planting the tubers. This saturates the soil with air and helps to get rid of weeds.
- Hilling. The first hilling is carried out after the sprouts grow to 16-20 cm.The second hilling is in a month. This measure increases the yield by a third. If late frosts come in the spring, the seedlings are completely covered with soil.
- Mineral dressing. For this, potato bushes are watered with superphosphate dissolved in water. It develops and strengthens the root system, thereby accelerating the growth of tubers.
- Application of organic fertilizers. The manure is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 1. Leave for 15 days. Before watering, the resulting solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 10. After that, the soil is loosened.
- Watering. The potato variety Asterix does not require frequent watering. In arid regions, plantings are watered three times: after the emergence of shoots, during the budding period and after the plant has faded.
If you regularly take care of the plant, at the end of the season you can get a high yield of elite potatoes.
Diseases and pests
Potatoes of the Asterix variety have good immunity to cancer, phomosis, foliage twisting, late blight of green mass and tubers. Also, it is not affected by cyst-forming and golden nematodes, which parasitize on the root system of nightshade crops.
This variety is vulnerable to the Y virus, which is considered the most dangerous for all potato varieties. If a plant is infected by a virus, it will most likely die. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out prevention, which consists in the following:
- Weeds and potato plant residues remaining after harvesting must be destroyed. They can be infected.
- The bushes of this variety must be treated with insecticides against aphids and leafhoppers, as they are carriers of the virus.
- The correct alternation of Asterix planting with crops resistant to the Y virus will protect the site.
Also, potatoes can infect the Colorado potato beetle. It can be harvested by hand, or the plantings can be treated with special preparations to destroy it.
Gardeners reviews
Conclusion
The Asterix variety is worthy of attention, since it has more positive aspects than negative ones. It is recommended to plant it for experienced summer residents and gardeners, as it requires special care. Since the potato tolerates transportation well and can be stored for a long time, it can be grown on an industrial scale. And dishes made from it will decorate any table and will delight you with excellent taste and delicate aroma.
