Potatoes are rightly called the second bread, because dishes made from them are hearty, tasty and allow you to maintain a feeling of fullness for a long time. Queen Anna potatoes are loved by gardeners for their stable yields and resistance to most crop diseases. Recently the variety was included in the state register. Tasty pulp, high yield, ease of cultivation and these are not all the positive properties of the variety.
Description of the Queen Anna potato variety
For the Anna potato variety, the description begins with a characteristic of origin. The variety was bred by breeders from Germany. In 2015, it was included in the state register as suitable for cultivation in the Middle Volga region.
The Koroleva Anna potato is a universal variety with early ripening tubers. From the moment the potatoes are planted in the soil until the harvest takes place from 80 to 90 days. It is advisable to dig up potatoes before the end of the growing season. The conditional maturity of the crop occurs earlier than the technical maturity.
The characteristic of the bush is that the potato shoots are spreading. Mature bushes are erect or semi-erect and medium in size. Leaves typical for most potato varieties forms. The leaf surface is wrinkled with slight pubescence. The shade is dark green. There are many inflorescences on the bush, the shade of the petals is white, the corolla is large.
Among the properties of the Koroleva Anna variety, it is distinguished by its resistance to most diseases of agricultural crops. These are scab, viral diseases, potato cancer. Average immunity to fusarium wilt of the bush.
The description of the variety will be incomplete without characterizing the climatic zones for growing potatoes. Due to the early ripening of tubers, the variety is grown in all regions. In arid climates, additional watering is required.
Characteristics of tubers
Root vegetables of the Queen Anna variety have yellow skin and pulp. Young potatoes have a thin, smooth skin that hardens after harvesting. There are few eyes on the skin and most are located on the surface. This placement of the eyes makes the root vegetables convenient for cleaning and cooking.
Among the properties of tubers, it should be noted that they are of commercial quality and are suitable for sale.
The parameters of root crops include oval shape, slightly oblong and elongated. The average weight of a tuber ranges from 85 to 115. The length of the potato is from 110 cm. The starch content in the root crop is 13–20%. It is possible to predict the amount of starch if you pay attention to the ratio of sunny and rainy days.
In dry summers, starch levels will be significantly higher. The amount of fertilizer applied per season also affects the amount of starch.
The yield parameters exceed the average values of the Middle Volga region. From 1 hectare it will be possible to harvest from 400 to 450 kg of potatoes. When harvesting potatoes that have reached technical maturity, small tubers are rare. The tubers have a pleasant taste, with a strong potato aroma. The tubers have no bitter taste, but a slightly sweetish taste.
Advantages and disadvantages of growing Queen Anne potatoes
No significant disadvantages were found in growing Queen Anne potatoes. Unless in rare cases the bushes begin to hurt. In dry weather, plants need watering. Potatoes have average resistance to drought and heat.
Advantages of potatoes:
- Early ripening of tubers.
- Immunity to crop diseases.
- Suitable for frying and preparing other potato dishes.
- High palatability of the pulp.
- The root crops are large and have a beautiful, even shape.
- High carotene content.
- After harvesting, it is stored for a long time without spoiling.
- The eyes are located on the surface.
- Suitable for cultivation on any type of soil.
The Queen Anna potato variety is unpretentious in care. Potatoes are suitable for growing in any region.
Potato diseases and pests
Features of root crops are their resistance to crop diseases. Increase resistance to disease by applying fertilizers. Plant potatoes Do not use it near tomatoes or in areas where tomatoes have recently grown. These two crops suffer from the same diseases and the risk of potato infection is high when replanting.
As a preventative measure, the bushes are sprayed with anti-late blight agents. It is advisable to process plants on a dry, windless day.
The main enemy of potatoes is the Colorado potato beetle. Bugs and larvae chew leaves, stems and roots. Insects are collected by hand if the area is small. But this method is labor-intensive and does not always bring the desired results. The best option is to spray the bushes with herbicides. The treatment is carried out on a dry, warm day. It is important that after spraying there are no prolonged rains.
Features of growing potatoes
Early ripening varieties are planted at the end of April (if the weather is warm) and in May. A week before planting, the tubers are sorted out and spoiled root crops gnawed by rodents are thrown away. Queen Anna potatoes need additional lighting before planting in the soil.
Tubers are dealt with even before planting. Greened tubers are suitable for planting. They are unsuitable for food due to the high content of the toxic substance corned beef. Such seeds germinate better next year.
A large number of large root crops are formed in the bush, so the distance between the holes must be left at least 20 cm. The type of soil is not important, the seeds germinate on any type of soil. Before planting, the holes are moistened.
It should be borne in mind that early ripening varieties are rarely stored for a long time, so Queen Anne should be dug up immediately for food or consumed first after harvesting. It is important to observe storage conditions so that root vegetables remain in good condition for a long time. The recommended room temperature is zero. Preference should be given to dry, dark rooms with low humidity levels.
Special requirements are placed on tubers if mineral and organic fertilizers are added to the soil several times a season. Queen Anne responds positively to such events and the yield doubles.
Reviews about the variety from summer residents
Reviews of Queen Anna potatoes from summer residents who grew the variety on their property.
Valentina, 45 years old:
“They prefer to take tubers for seedlings from friends, and before that take some potatoes for testing. This time, a friend advised me to buy Queen Anne potatoes. She had few tubers and had to buy them. I planted potatoes in several holes at the end of May. After 3 months, the first holes of young potatoes began to be dug. The tubers have a pleasant, sweetish taste. Queen Anne is planted every season and is always happy with everything. I recommend this variety for growing."
Oksana, 34 years old:
“We plant potatoes every year and give preference to yellow varieties of potatoes, which are not as watery compared to white ones. We tried more than one variety of potato. We became acquainted with the Queen Anna variety a long time ago, several years ago, and since then it has been a favorite for growing. The tubers are always large and do not become soft when cooked. Ideal for frying. It is advisable to water the holes if it is hot for a long time in the summer, otherwise the bushes begin to dry out.”
