Unpretentious and versatile in consumption, potatoes have long earned recognition in Russia. The Karatop potato was developed in Germany. The successful fruit of German selection quickly found its admirers outside the Motherland. Residents of different regions of Russia often choose the plant for planting because of its high yield, early maturity and good taste.
General information about the plant
In 2000, authorized persons entered the Karatop potato variety into the State Register for the North-Western and Volga regions. Characteristics of the variety and distinctive appearance features:
- Super early, after 50 days you can start digging up root crops;
- Table variety;
- Medium height bush;
- Plant type – semi-erect;
- Weak or completely absent anthocyanin coloring of the stem;
- Intermediate leaves of medium size;
- Green color of the tops;
- Faint wave along the edges of the foliage;
- A small number of white flowers during the flowering period;
- High yield, up to 50 tons per 1 hectare of planting;
- The number of root crops on each bush is 25 pieces;
- Stable results regardless of soil type;
- Does not tolerate drought well;
- Resistance to mechanical damage;
- Resistance to a number of diseases;
- Tubers are susceptible to late blight;
- Not prone to react to viruses Y and A;
- Used for industrial planting;
- Long shelf life;
- Long distance transportation is possible.
IMPORTANT! The main distinguishing feature of the variety is its high development speed.
Description of potato tubers of the Karatop variety:
- Oval-round shape, approaching spherical;
- Yellow skin;
- Light yellow flesh;
- Smooth, smooth surface;
- Shallow eyes in small numbers;
- Contains up to 15% starch;
- Good taste;
- Medium-grained pulp structure;
- Convenient for mechanical cleaning;
- The weight of an individual tuber is 65-100 grams.
The table variety is widely used in cooking. It is boiled, fried, stuffed, frozen. The vegetable is used as an ingredient in salads and soups, and as a side dish. Consumer reviews indicate the excellent taste of potatoes in different cooking options.
Recommendations for cultivation
The variety is not whimsical. Planting and preparatory work is similar to most potato varieties. For sowing, you should choose a flat surface, without shadows.For a speedy harvest, seed tubers are pulled out of storage and moved to a warm, bright place. You can place the potatoes directly on the floor or in a container with good oxygen access. Germination time takes from 3 to 4 weeks. The length of the shoots should not exceed 5 millimeters.
In the autumn, the soil is prepared:
- Removal of vegetation residues;
- Digging;
- Adding fertilizers, superphosphate and ash.
Potato planting does not begin until the soil warms up. Recommended air temperature is 20-29 degrees, with a soil temperature of 8 degrees. For sowing, it is necessary to prepare holes up to 20 centimeters deep and fill them with ash and humus. Planting should be done according to a 30x80 centimeter pattern; it likes a tight fit. The planting is sprinkled with soil and watered abundantly. Aftercare includes:
- Loosening;
- Weed removal;
- Carrying out preventive measures against diseases, spraying bushes with systemic contact fungicides;
- Treatment of foliage against the Colorado potato beetle;
- Watering.
More attention should be paid during the ripening period. To get a good harvest, the originator advises watering the plant abundantly.
Gardeners' opinion
Good day to all! I advise potato lovers to plant the Karatop variety. An excellent option for residents of the North-West region. Potatoes produce excellent yields in poor soils. I remove 25 potatoes from one bush, the weight of the fruit is about 100 grams. The plant loves watering and is unpretentious in care. The mature root vegetable has excellent taste and marketable appearance. Can be stored for a long time. I didn’t find any cons for myself.
Ekaterina Andromedova, 55 years old.
Greetings to all gardeners! I want to leave positive feedback to German breeders.Thank you for the Karatop potato variety! A resistant plant, it is not afraid of almost any diseases or viruses. Feels great in poor soils and does not require serious care measures. For a better harvest, it is enough to water and weed the bushes well. The harvest can be harvested within 50 days after planting. The early ripening plant is easy to care for and has an excellent taste of root vegetables. The table variety will complement a salad, soup or serve as an independent side dish. It can be stored for a long time and can be safely transported over long distances. I recommend!
Anastasia Polikarpova, 54 years old.
