The best Dutch potato variety Red Scarlet

Description

For its name, this wonderful variety should be grateful to the heroes of the world famous novel "Gone with the Wind". He, too, combines the best noble qualities - the same that Red and Scarlett possessed. This variety was bred by Dutch scientists not so long ago, but has already been able to take a leading position among others in many countries of the world. There is another version why this type of potato has just such a name - translated from English “red” means red, and “scarlett” - bright scarlet, which corresponds to the appearance of the vegetable. This variety is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. If we talk about the description of the Red Scarlet variety, then it is elongated tubers of the correct shape, which visually resemble an oval, with a pink-crimson peel. The potato peel is relatively thin, somewhat rough and smooth to the touch. The Red Scarlet variety has not very noticeable at first glance, even somewhat superficial, eyes, the depth of which is about 1.5 mm. They are yellowish or dark in color.

The shade of potato light sprouts can be either purple or reddish at the base. As for the color of the pulp of raw tubers of the variety, it can vary from white to light yellow. As evidenced by the reviews of people, potatoes of this variety do not darken when sliced ​​immediately before cooking, but retain their primary color during cooking.

Continuing the description of the Red Scarlet variety, it should be noted that the mass of tubers can range from 50 - 80 to 100 - 120 grams. According to consumer reviews, sometimes there are even very impressive specimens that can weigh about 150 g. On a bush, the number of tubers can be from 15 to 20. They grow almost simultaneously, so the difference in size should not be very noticeable.

The Red Scarlet variety is distinguished by a high starch content in its composition, the indicator of which can reach as much as 17%.

The description of the bush of this variety is as follows - it is an erect low bush with characteristic stems of medium thickness. In the bushes of Red Scarlet potatoes, as gardeners' reviews show, the tops are formed quite quickly. The color of the corolla of the flower can be of a light pink-lilac or reddish-purple hue. If we talk about the description of the leaves of the variety, then they are medium in size, have a dark green color, and the shape of the edge looks like a small wave.

Characteristics

If you listen to and read the reviews of summer residents, you can be sure that the Red Scarlet potato variety has excellent characteristics. The South and Central regions of our country are considered the best for its cultivation. This wonderful potato variety grows best in cool, humid climates. In the same regions where the soil temperature is quite high or there is a likelihood of drought, it is customary to form large tubers and moisten the soil.

It is important to add a large amount of calcium when planting the root crop. The yield of this variety directly depends on the area where it is grown.Reviews indicate that on average, about 45 tons of potatoes can be harvested from one hectare of land. The largest harvest that can be expected is about 60 tons. The yield of young potatoes can be initially from 230 to 250 centners per hectare. The taste characteristics of the variety are quite high. The tubers contain vitamins, minerals and amino acids useful for the body. The variety has an early ripening period, since about 70 days pass from the moment of planting the tubers to harvest.

The degree of drought resistance is average, according to a special scale, 6, 5 points. Tubers do not darken with minor damage and tolerate transportation well even over long distances. The Red Scarlet variety, as evidenced by numerous reviews, when used, shows excellent taste both in boiled and fried forms. It is from such potatoes that the most delicious crispy fries and chips are obtained, since the cut slices keep the shape obtained during processing quite well.

Diseases

This potato variety has good immunity and is able to resist many diseases, such as potato nematode, cancer, virus A, virus Yn. These ailments are very dangerous - for example, with cancer, an unpleasant white bloom appears on the surface of the tubers, which then becomes dark and increases in size. And on the aboveground part, you can see uncharacteristic growths. In this case, upon detection of diseased tubers, they are immediately removed. And for prevention, it is recommended to process the culture before planting for half an hour with a solution of foundationol.

Also, the variety has an average degree of resistance to common scab and late blight of tops. Late blight is a common ailment in which a microscopic fungus infects a culture, causing it to rot from the inside. This detrimental process occurs especially quickly in warm, humid weather. To combat the disease, tubers are treated with boric acid or copper sulfate before planting. This potato species has a high resistance to late blight of tubers.

Also, like other types of potatoes, this variety is very loved by the bear and the Colorado potato beetle. To get rid of the bear, a vinegar solution is used - for this, you need to take three tablespoons for 10 liters of water - which is then poured into holes in an amount of half a liter. To combat the Colorado potato beetle, which can destroy the leaves of a crop, they use the method of manual assembly and more modern ones - processing with special purchased and chemicals. But this should be done no later than 20 days before harvest.

Landing specifics

In order to provide the Red Scarlet potatoes with proper full care, it should be borne in mind that in the Netherlands, where they come from, there is a special system of their cultivation. For proper planting, you need to leave enough space between crops to get a good harvest in the future. Before planting potatoes, it should be germinated. Planting material is selected based on the size and condition of the tubers. Medium-sized tubers are placed in a box and left in a warm, bright place until the sprouts are 5 mm long.

It is necessary to plant a crop in a heated ground before the first frost appears. As a rule, this time falls on the end of April - beginning of May. The first row can be sown on a string. Shallow pits are dug - about 12 - 15 cm, the distance between which should be about 0.7 m. Then the tubers are carefully placed in them, sprouts up. The pits of the second row should be dug at a distance of about 1.4 m from the first. When all the rows are planted, the ground must be leveled and fluffed with a rake. Care involves the timely hilling of the plant, sufficient watering, weed and pest control.

A week before digging, the tops are removed and removed from the site.Thus, the potatoes in the remaining days will be able to tighten the skin, which will be useful in this form when digging and transporting. According to the reviews of experienced gardeners, if you plant potatoes in the second decade of May, you can expect the harvest to appear in mid-August. Although this variety has good immunity to diseases and pests, it still needs to be treated with special fungicides and insecticides in the required doses.

Video "Growing potatoes"

In the video, a man agronomist gives practical advice on growing potatoes.