Description of purple potato varieties, their beneficial properties

It is very difficult to surprise with anything unusual today. Purple potatoes are an exception. This is justified by the fact that after heat treatment, the color of its pulp does not change.

How did the selection take place?

This species was obtained by crossing the familiar to everyone potato varieties with "American Relative". Don't worry about it being modified. It appeared first in America, then in Russia.

The Siberian Research Institute of Russia was also involved in breeding potatoes with purple flesh. There are several variations, the color of which ranges from pink to dark purple. Sometimes there are lilac shades

Basic Views

The characteristics of potatoes are slightly different from ordinary varieties with standard colors. In addition, different varieties have different properties from each other. The distinctive features common to all are:

1. The color of the pulp remains the same even after processing.
2. The shape of the vegetable is elongated-oblong.
3. High content of nutrients in the tubers.
4. Due to the thick skin, it can be stored for a very long time.

Two potato tubers contain as much vitamin C as 1 lemon.

Root composition

As the description shows, potatoes are rich in components:

• Vitamins: A, B, C, E, H, PP and others.
• Macroelements: Potassium, Chlorine, Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium and others.
• Microelements: Iodine, Lithium, Fluorine, Chromium and many others.
• Starch.
• Sucrose.
• Glucose.
• Fructose.
• Acids.
• Amino acids.

For 100 gr. Potato varieties account for: 2 gr. proteins, 16 gr. carbohydrates, 0.4 g. fat

Varieties

The intermediate result is about 120 potato samples. The main varieties widespread everywhere are:

• "All blue." Its flesh is not blue, but more blue-violet. The skin and pulp are separated by a white ring. Reaches full maturity in 80 days. The tuber weighs 200 grams. Basically, heat treatment preserves the color. It only becomes paler when boiled.
• "Explosion". The color of the pulp and peel is completely the same and has a blue tint. The tubers of the variety are considered early ripening. Potato weight 120 g.Very productive and immune to diseases.
• "Lilac". Ready to eat in 95 days. The weight of the tubers is approximately 80 grams, they store well. The flesh and skin are the same shade. Lilac miracle of selection.
• "Peruvian purple" Breeders worked on its breeding for 200 years. Considered a late species. Maturity occurs in 100–110 days. Weight 80 gr.
• "Adirondack Blue." Potatoes weigh 100 grams and ripen in 95 days.
• "Vitelot". Very popular among many summer residents, it has a second name “Negress”. The average weight of one tuber is 70–100 grams. Color with a hint of blue and purple. Ripening period is 110 days. Keeps for a long time.

Summer residents call all varieties simply like blue potatoes. To make it clear what we are talking about. The beneficial properties of tubers are not disputed by anyone, but on the contrary, they are only praised.

Who is indicated and contraindicated for its use?

To understand this, it is necessary to consider in detail beneficial properties of potatoes

1. Reduced pressure. Good for those who suffer from hypertension and bad for those with hypotension.
2. Antioxidants. Their presence in large quantities slows down the aging process.
3. Of the many vitamins found in purple potatoes, E and C are the most important for humans.
4. Strengthening vision. Useful for nearsighted people. Slows down the development of cataracts and glaucoma.
5. Digestive system. Helps remove toxins from the body. Normalizes stool, relieves abdominal pain.
6. Vessels and heart. By clearing toxins, potatoes reduce the risk of blood clots. Accordingly, it reduces the possibility of developing a heart attack and stroke.
7. Immune support. Helps absorb iron and, thanks to folic acid, increases hemoglobin.

It is recommended to limit product consumption for those who:

• High sugar.
• Constipation.
• Obesity.
• Low pressure.
• Gastritis.

For each person, the benefits and harms are calculated individually, depending on the state of health. In any case, you can eat purple potatoes, but at the same time carefully monitor your well-being.

Growing Potatoes

Potatoes with purple flesh are more difficult to grow yourself than regular varieties. The main problems encountered during the growing process:

1. Susceptibility to late blight and scab.
2. Insect pest attacks. The purple potato variety is more susceptible to attacks by Colorado potato beetles than others.
3. It is better not to propagate with eyes. Because the tubers are getting smaller.

Otherwise, everything is the same as with ordinary types of culture. Timely watering, fertilizing, hilling and pest control.

How to prepare the soil for planting

First you need to choose a place for the garden bed. Purple potatoes love light; it is best to choose a site on the south side. It is demanding on the composition of the soil; the following types of soil are suitable:

• Floodplain.
• Soddy-podzolic.
• Light loamy.
• Neutral sandy loams.

In order for the potatoes to take root and develop correctly in the future, the soil must be dug very deeply in the fall. You can immediately add fertilizers, potassium salt (KS), superphosphate (S.) and humus (P).

At 1 m²:

• KS–15 gr.
• C–30 gr.
• P–0.5 kg.

It is better to leave the earth in clods; this will not give pests the opportunity to hide in the depths. They will freeze.

After the soil warms up to + 5 ⁰C, you can re-dig and loosen the bed.

Planting and care

Before planting potatoes, pour a little wood ash into the holes.The distance between the holes is 30 cm, their depth is 10 cm, row spacing is 60 cm.

If you want to get an early harvest, purple potatoes are left to germinate in a warm room. The temperature must be at least +15⁰С. This must be done 3 weeks before planting in the ground. You can cover it with film and remove it only when the sprouts are about 10 cm.

Watering is required, abundant and frequent, mandatory periods:

• After germination.
• During bud setting.
• After the flowers fall.

It is recommended to monitor the flow of moisture to the roots. Its excess contributes to the development of rot, and its deficiency leads to the death of the plant variety itself. The resulting crust must be loosened, the roots must breathe.

Weeding and treatment against insects and diseases must be carried out in a timely manner; the crop is sensitive to their development and attacks. The bushes may die. If there is no rain for a long time, it is recommended to irrigate the plantings.

Opinion of people who tried to grow purple potatoes

Having studied the reviews of summer residents, you can understand what is special about growing potatoes, and whether it is worth spending time on planting them at all.

• Irina. I experienced strange feelings when I simply held the tuber in my hands. I peeled it, but the color of the pulp did not change. Later I found out that there was no need to clean it. Overall, I was amazed by the color of the finished dish.
• Faith. The first potato harvest has been harvested. It turned out to be a bucket with 4 bushes. He considers this a good result. Since the planting material was small. We tried baking it in the microwave. The taste is ordinary, practically no different from the usual potato taste. Blooms white, but stems are purple. He recommends planting purple potatoes less frequently than the regular variety, approximately 70*70.

Growing exotics on the site is not uncommon.But if it is also a useful product, then its importance increases several times.