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Each farmer or summer resident treats the choice of a variety of vegetable crops with great responsibility. Potatoes are no exception. To get a decent harvest at the planned time, you should seriously consider the characteristics and benefits of the desired variety. German breeders are offering a new potato variety Granada, bred in 2015.
In just one season, Granada won the hearts of many potato lovers. To appreciate the variety, you will have to get acquainted with its advantages and features. For what qualities do gardeners prefer the new product? How do you determine the grade you need?
Variety of potato varieties
It is the ability to choose that makes this culture very popular. To begin with, you should know that potatoes are divided by yield and ripening time:
- Early varieties... The difference between this group and other species is its rapid growth and short growing season. Planting of these varieties of potatoes begins in early spring. Already at the beginning of April, the first tubers fall into the ground, and after 65 (on average) days the harvest is ready for harvesting. In the vacant place of the garden, you can plant another crop, which will have time to give a new crop before autumn. The disadvantage of early potatoes is the inability to store. He will not lie for a long time and will quickly become lethargic - it loses moisture.
- Medium early varieties... They are considered more unpretentious, capable of storage. The tubers of such potatoes must be prepared for planting (germinate). The harvest is obtained a little later than the early varieties - after 80 days.
- Mid-season varieties... Most often, the choice of gardeners falls on these types of potatoes. The crop is ready for harvest in 90-100 days. This period usually falls in August. They are considered less whimsical, with good taste.
- Mid late and late varieties... The most suitable varieties for long-term storage, which provide delicious vegetables during the winter. Tubers do not need to germinate, varieties are more resistant to diseases and adverse conditions. The crop ripens in 110-120 days.
Mid-early and mid-late are referred to as intermediate potato varieties. The high content of starch, vitamins and protein makes potatoes irreplaceable in the diet. If a variety is needed for winter consumption, then among the qualities that the tubers possess should be:
- good keeping quality;
- long rest period;
- disease resistance storage.
It is quite problematic to find such a variety that fully meets all the requirements. Still, breeders are trying to bring out potato brands that best meet the needs of vegetable growers. Among such reliable varieties, the Granada potatoes should be noted.
Description and features
If we start describing the Granada variety with its appearance, then it will be necessary to note the attractiveness of the tubers.
They are medium in size and have a beautiful oval-oblong shape. The weight of each Granada potato fluctuates around 100 g, so all the tubers look very neat due to their almost identical size. The eyes are harmoniously located over the entire surface of the skin, without disturbing the attractiveness of the tubers. This gives the Granada potatoes a high-quality presentation. Therefore, the variety enjoys the attention not only of summer residents, but also of farmers who grow potatoes for sale. The color of the peel and pulp is light yellow. In case of damage and after heat treatment, the tubers of the "Granada" variety do not change their color and do not darken. This is another significant plus for buyers.
The taste qualities of the Granada variety are very high. The skin is thin, smooth but firm. The pulp is tender and tasty. Potatoes "Granada" are used for the preparation of culinary delicacies and are recommended for the diet. In terms of its nutritional composition, it has a high starch content (over 17%), which makes the tubers taste good.
Variety "Granada", whose yield characteristics are very high, is in deserved demand. Indeed, up to 15 potatoes are harvested from one mature bush. This species belongs to the middle late, so the harvest is harvested 110 days after planting. The yield of Granada potatoes is more than 6.5 kg per 1 sq. m of land area, which makes it possible to grow only this variety, without duplicating others.
Keeping quality or storage capacity is always considered an important quality for potatoes. No amount of appearance will save the crop if the tubers rot or dry out in winter. The Granada variety meets all the expectations of vegetable growers. Record keeping quality - 97%. Waste material after winter storage is 3% on average. The breeders took into account all the requests of potato growers when developing the Granada variety.
The plant bush is classified as an intermediate type, the height of one is in the middle range. The bulk is quite low, but some plants can grow to medium size. The leaf mass is light green, fine.
Another important quality that the Granada variety possesses is drought resistance. In addition, this potato grows well in any soil. If all these advantages have attracted your attention, then it is worth taking a closer look at the agricultural technology of growing wonderful potatoes.
The crucial moment - getting ready for landing
Experienced potato growers begin preparing for planting already in the fall. As soon as the crop is harvested and sorted, you need to start selecting seed. For planting, it is necessary to choose large healthy tubers of the Granada variety, capable of producing good sprouts. Many gardeners believe that small potatoes should be taken for planting, but this can lead to a significant decrease in yield and loss of valuable qualities of the variety. For the potato variety "Granada", an important requirement is the selection of large, good tubers from full-fledged bushes for the new planting year. In the spring, according to the recommendations of experts, you can do two things:
- plant seed directly into open ground;
- grow seedlings, which gives an increase in yield by 40%.
In the first variant, the "Granada" tubers are planted, focusing on the recommendations of the lunar sowing calendar. But, many gardeners simply adhere to the usual deadlines and begin to plant Granada potatoes at the end of April. If the soil is not warmed up enough, then the planting is postponed for a week or more. It depends on the climate of the region and the temperature of the soil. It must be at least + 8 ° C.
For the second option, the tubers are first placed for germination in a mixture of peat and earth, covered. When sprouts appear, they are broken off and placed in boxes with prepared soil. It should include garden soil, peat and sand. Peat is taken 4 times more than land. The amount of sand depends on the composition of the garden soil. The sprouts must be buried 2/3 and watered as the soil dries up. The box is placed so that the illumination is very good, covered with foil. The first shoots usually appear after 18 days. After another 14 days, they are ready to disembark for permanent residence.
The method of planting seed potatoes "Granada" depends on the variety of soil and weather conditions in the growing region. The dry, hot climate and light soil make it possible to plant tubers in holes or furrows.In more moist and dense soil, ridges are made to raise the bushes above the ground. Clay soil requires a planting depth of no more than 5 cm, but with a loose and fertile depth it reaches 12 cm.
The optimal row spacing is 65-70 cm. This arrangement of the rows will create good lighting and air access for the Granada potato bushes. A distance of at least 30 cm is maintained between the plants. When planting, the soil is fertilized with ash. Half a glass of ash is added to each hole, be sure to moisten the soil. Then put the potato and sprinkle with soil. If there is not enough ash or not at all, then you can recharge with mineral complex fertilizers according to the instructions.
Basic care requirements
The main stages of agricultural technology remain the same as for other varieties. Potatoes "Granada" are unpretentious varieties with a high degree of drought resistance and adaptability to growing conditions. The main stages of quality care for the "Granada" variety:
- Hilling... Until the "Granada" potatoes reach their ripeness, it is necessary to carry out this procedure at least twice. The first with a bush height of 15-16 cm, the second - before flowering. To do this, use the land between the rows, raking it to the base of the bushes. It is not recommended to skip this step for several reasons. Firstly, hilling will allow you to form a neat bush and prevent it from falling apart. Secondly, it will improve the yield of potatoes "Granada" due to the formation of additional underground stems, Thirdly, it will protect seedlings from possible frosts.
- Food... The first time to feed the potatoes should be after planting, after a month. A mixture of mineral fertilizers is used: urea, potassium sulfate and superphosphate in a ratio of 1: 1: 2. Where 1 is 10 g, respectively, 2 - 20 g. This amount should be taken for 10 liters of water. If more is needed, then the amount of minerals is also increased. The mixture is diluted and poured over the potatoes. Organic is a great option. Potatoes "Granada" respond very well to poultry droppings. The main thing is to use it correctly so as not to burn the plants. Litter is insisted for at least a week, diluted with 0.5 liters in a bucket of water and watered with potatoes. The second time they feed the plants when the buds appear, the third time after flowering.
- Watering.
For the "Granada" variety, moderate watering must be maintained. Under normal climatic conditions, watering should be carried out no more than three times per season - after germination, after budding, after flowering. In rainy weather, you don't need to water at all before flowering. Watering is considered to be of good quality if the soil is soaked 50 cm. - Prevention, control of diseases and pests... For the "Granada" variety, there is a danger of Alternaria, in which all structures of the plant are affected.To prevent such a disaster, the tubers are sprayed before planting. Biological products "Baktofit", "Integral", "Planriz" are suitable for prophylaxis. The vegetative period requires treatment with a 0.2% solution of other drugs - "Profit", "Cuproxat", "Thanos". To prevent fusarium wilting of Granada potatoes, it is best to use Bactofit or Fitosporin.
For the "Granada" variety, moderate watering must be maintained. Under normal climatic conditions, watering should be carried out no more than three times per season - after germination, after budding, after flowering. In rainy weather, you don't need to water at all before flowering. Watering is considered to be of good quality if the soil is soaked 50 cm.
To prevent such a disaster, the tubers are sprayed before planting. Biological products "Baktofit", "Integral", "Planriz" are suitable for prophylaxis. The vegetative period requires treatment with a 0.2% solution of other drugs - "Profit", "Cuproxat", "Thanos". To prevent fusarium wilting of Granada potatoes, it is best to use Bactofit or Fitosporin.These drugs must also be used during pre-sowing treatment. If this is not done, then the entire crop will be at risk. This infection is very dangerous for Granada potatoes due to its rapid spread. It is very difficult to save plants during the period of illness. Preventive treatments should be done against different types of potato rot.
Among pests, the most dangerous is considered Colorado beetle... The damage that this pest inflicts is the most tangible. Also, the larvae of the click beetle are dangerous. They are called wireworms... Control measures for these pests are similar for all crops that are exposed to them.
With due attention to the variety, "Granada" will thank you with an unprecedented harvest.
We receive a well-deserved reward
Harvesting is always a special time for farmers. This is the time to get the result.
Potatoes "Granada" are ready to harvest 3.5-4 months after planting. When manually picking the bush, they dig in with a shovel and collect the tubers. The process of bulkhead potatoes should not be neglected. You can immediately select the best seed for the next year and choose potatoes for laying in winter storage. To better preserve the potatoes, they are sprayed. Prepare a solution of copper sulfate (2g per 10l) and process all tubers. For storage, seed potatoes "Granada" and food are placed separately. Provide a dry, cool and dark environment. The optimum temperature is from +2 to + 4 ° С. The tubers are periodically inspected to remove spoiled ones so that the rest of the crop is not affected.
