When growing potatoes, gardeners try to choose varieties that have proven themselves in the best way in a particular area. Even one potato variety does not behave the same on different soil. First of all, the yield differs - the main characteristic of the crop. Therefore, the choice of a variety without taking into account the structure of the soil and climatic features will be irrational.
Among the mid-late varieties, Merlot potatoes should be distinguished, the description of the properties of which is the purpose of our article.
Variety characteristics
Merlot potatoes are a medium late variety of German selection. The growing season lasts from 95 to 115 days, so harvesting does not take place until the end of September. The description of the Merlot potato variety should start with the appearance and taste of the tubers. After all, it is this parameter that is most important for potato growers. Nobody wants to grow tasteless or ugly potatoes.
- According to summer residents, the tubers of Merlot potatoes have an elongated oval shape and a beautiful dark red peel. The peel is uniform in color, slightly reticulate. The tubers are very uniform and even in size. Small depth of the eyes. Tuber weight ranges from 80 g to 140 g.
- The pulp is yellow. The variety is highly valued for its resistance to darkening when cut. It is convenient for housewives to prepare potatoes in advance for cooking and not worry about their appearance.
- It is a table variety with excellent taste. The tubers are medium-sized, which makes it possible to cook dishes with whole potatoes. According to vegetable growers, in the description of Merlot potatoes, it is imperative to include the ability of tubers to retain color and aroma during the cooking process. Dishes from this variety always have an amazing taste and smell.
- Adequate starch content is another valuable characteristic of Merlot potatoes. Thanks to its percentage (15.5% - 16.2%), tubers are ideal for any kind of culinary processing.
But not only these indicators are important for potato growers. An important characteristic of the Merlot potato variety, which, according to the reviews of summer residents, comes out on top, is yield. The expediency of planting crops on the site depends on it. The variety has a stable and high yield. According to the observations of farmers, it easily adapts to the soil and climatic characteristics of the region in which it is grown. With a good level of agricultural technology, more than 500 quintals of tasty potatoes are harvested from one hectare.
The second important indicator is storage capacity. Mid-late varieties, including Merlot, keep well. They ripen later than the early varieties, so they are able to lie for a long time.
The variety also differs in enviable resistance to diseases that pester gardeners. Among them are blackleg, potato cancer, rhizoctoniae, golden potato nematode. Even to late blight, moderate susceptibility is noted.
On this, the description of the Merlot potato variety can be completed and you can familiarize yourself with the photo of the finished product.
To get the output of all the listed characteristics of the Merlot potato variety, it is necessary to competently perform all the points of agricultural technology:
- preparation of tubers for planting;
- landing;
- care during the growing season;
- harvesting.
Let's consider each stage in more detail.
Competent planting of the variety
As soon as the decision is made to plant Merlot potatoes on the site, you need to immediately begin the selection of seed.
They choose for planting potatoes weighing at least 70 g, otherwise the yield indicator will be reduced. This is the weight of potatoes the size of a chicken egg. You can calculate the approximate amount of the harvested crop, considering that from 6 to 10 pieces of tubers ripen in one bush.
If you nevertheless decide to germinate the tubers, then this is done no later than 2 weeks before the planned planting date. And the period for planting Merlot potatoes is calculated not only according to the lunar calendar, but also monitors the heating of the soil. It is best to choose days when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm will be at least + 8 ° C.
The distance between the tubers when planting potatoes of the Merlot variety is maintained at least 35 cm, and between the rows - 60 cm.If these indicators are reduced, then it will be more difficult to huddle potato bushes correctly.
The recommended planting depth for the Merlot variety ranges from 9 cm to 15 cm, depending on the type of soil. On heavy - 9 cm, on light - 12 cm, on peaty - 15 cm.
Now let's start the planting process.
First, we select a site. It is important that the previous crop is not tomato or potato. Reproduction of culture by tubers leads to the fact that pathogenic microorganisms can accumulate in them. Another negative factor is damage to the leaf mass by the Colorado potato beetle, which is the reason for the weakening of the tubers. Therefore, one should not forget about the periodic renewal of seed material and compliance with crop rotation.
You need to plant Merlot potatoes in a well-lit place. Make sure that there are no tall trees nearby that will shade the plantings.
Choose a site so that there is no acidic soil on it, potatoes do not like such soil. Before planting, be sure to dig the soil to a depth of 25-28 cm, and if the ground is heavy, then 20 cm will be enough.
Position the furrows from south to north.
When digging, add organic matter - matured compost, humus. For 1 sq. square meter is enough 4 kg of substance with the addition of 30 g of nitroammophoska.
Monitor the water table. If they are close to the surface, choose a ridge planting method.
And one more recommendation - before planting for half an hour, soak the tubers of the Merlot variety in a solution of Maxim, copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid.
Care rules
Start by loosening the row spacings that will be trampled when planting. This will make it possible to delete weeds even before the emergence of potato sprouts.
The Merlot variety responds very well to competent watering and nutrition. It is these points that should be focused on. If you decide to huddle the bushes, then this procedure can be done before the plant begins to bloom. At this time, the stem coarsens and stops forming stolons. You can limit yourself to mulching to protect the soil from excessive moisture evaporation and overheating.
The degree and regularity of watering Merlot potatoes depends on the moisture content of the soil. Plants experience the greatest need for moisture in the phase of tuber formation. This moment begins during the flowering period of the bush. If at this time there is no rain or they are very scarce, then additional watering is required. Usually, the tops tell the gardener that watering is required. The leaves lose their elasticity and begin to wither. It is convenient to water in the furrows and until the soil is moistened to a depth of 45-50 cm.
Feeding. During the season, you will need to feed the Merlot potato bushes three times.
The first time this is done during the period of active growth of potato tops. The need for such feeding is determined by the condition of the plants.If development is weak, then they are fed. If the bushes are strong and healthy, then the first feeding can be skipped. For root nutrition, it is enough to prepare a composition of 1 teaspoon of urea, 1 tablespoon of Effekton and 10 liters of water. One plant consumes 0.5 liters of the composition.
The second time for Merlot potatoes, nutrition is needed in the bud formation phase. For 10 liters of pure water, take 1 glass of wood ash and 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate. This composition stimulates the formation of flowers.
The third time the potatoes are fed to stimulate tuberization. It is carried out at the time of flowering, and for the composition they take 1 tablespoon of superphosphate and "Effekton", diluted in a bucket of water. Consume 0.5 liters per plant.
Such nutrition is problematic to carry out in large areas. In this case, feeding with dry fertilizers will help out.
Testimonials
Reviews of gardeners and photos will help to supplement the description of the Merlot potato variety.
