Today on the market among potato varieties New products predominate, but old, time-tested varieties have not been canceled either. One of these is the Elizabeth potato. The difference between this variety and others is the complex of its inherent advantages. The good taste of the vegetable and its snow-white pulp, as well as the generous harvest that the plant gives to gardeners, cannot leave anyone indifferent. These and other advantages have made this variety desirable in every farm where potatoes are grown.
Description of the variety
This is a mid-early table variety that is often grown commercially.Its pulp contains large quantities of protein, amino acids and vitamins. The peculiarity of Elizabeth is the friendly ripening and the absence of the process of degeneration of the variety.
The bush of this potato, if we compare it with other varieties, has a compact size, its leaves are large, dark green, have pubescence and wavy edges. The flowering of the bush is inexpressive, with further falling off of the ovaries; it does not form fruits with seeds.
The shape of the tubers is round, slightly flattened, the skin is smooth, its shade varies from slightly yellow to beige. The potato flesh is white, and after peeling and exposure to air it is not subject to darkening. The weight of this varietal vegetable is from 80 to 140 g. The taste of the vegetable is at a high level, the amount of starch present in the fruit is average and reaches 13–18%.
The yield of the Elizaveta variety is pleasantly surprising - under each bush there are on average up to 10 tubers, and from 1 hectare, with proper care, about 400 centners of fruit can grow.
Fruiting begins in mid-summer, but harvesting potatoes possible only in the fall (2.5–3 months after planting). The Elizabeth potato variety is resistant to changing weather conditions and also has good disease resistance.
Growing
The planting season begins in mid-May, when the soil has already warmed up and the threat of frost has passed. Before planting vegetables, cultivate the soil. To do this, it is loosened and nutrients are added, preferably of organic origin: humus, compost, ash. All substances are laid out together with planting material in prepared holes.
The potatoes are buried 10 cm, and the distance between the tubers is about 35 cm, and between the rows - at least 70 cm.
Caring for Elizabeth potatoes is no different from growing other varieties and consists of:
- Systematic weeding and loosening of the soil. For better development of potato bushes, you need to remove weeds, as they are their competitors. The top layer of soil is loosened to destroy the crust, which does not allow oxygen to reach the plant roots, and also due to capillary rise, moisture loss occurs.
- Minimum of two hillings. The first time this is done when the plants reach 8 cm in height, and the next time after 2 weeks, when they reach 20–25 cm. It is necessary to form a high ridge of sufficient width.
- Irrigation. Each variety, including Elizabeth, needs timely watering. If drip irrigation works, this will significantly increase the yield, since there will be no period of drought.
- Adding nutrients to the soil. During the growing season, the vegetable crop is fed with mineral complexes 2–3 times. Fertilizers are alternated with a solution of bird droppings or mullein. Foliar fertilizing with diluted superphosphate will also bring a lot of benefits. This spraying is carried out one and a half weeks before digging up the tubers.
- Inspecting potato bushes for the presence of diseases and the presence of the Colorado potato beetle and other insects.
Features of care
Potatoes are selected for planting material in the growth phase. For this purpose, the most attractive representatives of the Elizabeth variety are marked. After harvesting, potatoes for planting are stored separately from table potatoes.
This potato variety is capable of growing fairly large tubers.To stimulate their development, you need to remove the vegetative part of the plants 7 days before harvesting. After digging up the crop, the fruits dry under a canopy.
Advantages and disadvantages
Varietal potatoes have a number of advantages:
- excellent yield;
- high taste qualities;
- good presentation;
- ease of care;
- disease resistance;
- increased keeping quality.
No deficiencies were found in the Elizabeth variety.
Pests and diseases
Potatoes of the Elizabeth variety are highly valued by farmers and gardeners for their resistance to a number of dangerous diseases. These include:
- late blight;
- cancer;
- blackleg;
- golden cyst nematode;
- Alternaria blight;
- ordinary scab.
When there is high humidity and low temperature outside for a long time, late blight may damage varietal potatoes. If the disease has been detected, the culture is treated with a copper-containing agent.
The most common pest is the Colorado potato beetle. As with other insects, the plant can be treated with insecticides. You can also use disinfectant solutions of preparations that are poured into the soil. To increase the resistance of this crop to diseases and insects, it is planted in a different area each time.
Harvest and storage
Harvesting begins after the green part of the plants has dried out. It is mowed and removed. You can dig up potatoes either manually or mechanically. After harvesting, the harvest is dried, sorted and placed in a prepared cellar. The tubers are stored for several months, retaining all their benefits. If necessary, tolerates transportation well.
After the Elizabeth variety was bred, many varieties with excellent properties appeared, but, as before, this potato does not lose popularity and continues to delight lovers of delicious dishes from this vegetable. It can be grown both for yourself and for sale.
