The Riviera potato was obtained by crossing the famous Dutch varieties Minerva and Alcmaria. The Agrico holding is considered a patented seed producer. Since 2013, the variety was included in the State Register and began to be cultivated in Russia. Thanks to its positive qualities, the culture has gained great popularity not only in the southern regions, but also in such areas as the Moscow region, Siberia, and the North Caucasus.
Description of the variety
The Riviera potato variety is an ultra-early, high-yielding tuber crop. The first ripening of the fruit begins on the 40th day after germination of the sprouts. Mass harvest and full yield of the crop occurs on the 80th day after planting. According to recorded data, the total yield of the variety is more than 300 kg per 100 sq. m.
Detailed description of the variety:
- Plant. The Riviera bush is quite tall, its height reaches 1 meter. The plant is erect, with strong stems. The leaves are large, rich green, wavy on the sides. During the growing season, red-violet flowers are formed on the brush. The root system is powerful and well developed.
- Tubers. Riviera potatoes have an attractive oval shape. The skin is slightly rough, dense, light yellow in color. The eyes are shallow-set. The fruits are smooth. The pulp is granular, beige in color. On average, 15 fruits are formed in 1 hole, the weight of which varies from 100 to 170 g.
Worth paying attention! If the Riviera variety is grown in greenhouse conditions, 2 harvests can be harvested in one season.
Fruit characteristics
Almost all Riviera potato tubers have an attractive presentation, which at yield ranges from 85 to 95%.
Consumer characteristics of tubers:
- taste – 4.8 on a 5-point scale;
- starch content – 12–18%;
- dry matter content – 18.7%;
- purpose - dining room.
The peculiarities of the Riviera variety are that its fruits are endowed with high resistance to mechanical damage. During long-distance transportation, the potatoes remain intact and without blackening of the flesh. If the temperature is maintained at +4 degrees, the shelf life of potatoes is 94%.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Like any fruit crop, Riviera potatoes have their advantages and disadvantages.Let's consider all the qualities of the variety that may influence the choice.
Advantages of the variety:
- high and early yield;
- good consumer qualities;
- long shelf life;
- good transportation;
- immunity to potato cancer;
- resistance to many viral and fungal infections.
The advantages of the variety also include good resistance to drought. Even with a fairly dry summer, Riviera potatoes produce high yields.
The variety has no particular disadvantages; the only disadvantage is poor resistance to late blight.
Agricultural technology and rules for growing varieties
To shorten the growing season without losing the quality and quantity of yield, when growing the Riviera variety, you will need to perform certain agricultural techniques. In fact, it is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. To complete it, it will be enough to follow the sequence below.
Selection and storage of planting material
As reviews from gardeners have shown, it is better to select planting material immediately after harvesting. For this, healthy, undamaged fruits weighing from 40 to 70 g are selected from all tubers.
Important: Many beginning gardeners believe that the greater the weight of the planting material, the higher the yield at the exit. In fact, this opinion is wrong. In one bush, a large potato produces 2 times less fruit than a medium tuber.
Having collected selected planting material, it is given time to lie down for 2 weeks in a well-ventilated and lit place. In this case, the potato peel will harden well before storage, and minor scratches will heal. Next, the tubers are moved to the cellar until spring. The optimal temperature for storing planting material is considered to be +2–4 degrees, air humidity – 70%.
Tuber preparation
1.5 months before the expected planting potato tubers taken out of the cellar. Planting material is removed from rotten and damaged fruits. Then selected potatoes are germinated and treated.
Methods for germination of tubers:
- Light germination. This method is considered the most common. When using it, it will be enough to spread the tubers in a well-lit place and maintain an optimal temperature of 20 degrees. At the same time, it is recommended to periodically turn the potatoes over the course of a month, creating even illumination for them.
- Mini greenhouse germination. For this method, plastic bags are used, in which up to 10 holes are made. Then up to 10 potato tubers are placed in them. Packages with seed material are tied and suspended from the ceiling of a bright room. In this case, you need to choose a place where it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
When sprouts appear on the tubers and they are ready for planting, it is recommended to treat them against various diseases. To do this, the potatoes are first sprayed with water, and after a day they are treated with a disinfecting solution consisting of water, formaldehyde and vitriol.
Preparing the site for planting
The highest Riviera yields were recorded when potatoes were grown in fertile, light soil. It is advisable that the area with such soil be well lit from all sides and protected from the north wind.
Before planting, it is recommended to dig the selected area well, removing all weeds and their rhizomes. It is advisable to add organic matter to the prepared soil. Rotted manure is considered the best fertilizer.
Rules for planting tubers
When the regular air temperature reaches 20 degrees, and the soil at a depth of 10 cm warms up to 10–15 degrees, you can begin planting tubers. Today, there are several methods for planting potatoes. Feedback from gardeners suggests that it is rational to use the traditional method. This is justified by the fact that it is simpler and does not take up a lot of free time, which is so convenient if the dacha is located far from home.
Description of planting Riviera potatoes:
- In the area from north to south, ridges are formed, with a maintained distance from each other of 70 cm.
- Holes are dug every 30 cm on the ridges, about 10 cm deep.
- One handful of ash is added to each hole.
- One potato tuber is placed in the hole and filled with soil.
After planting, the soil in the beds must be leveled with a rake.
Agricultural technology after planting
Riviera potatoes do not require special care during growth. But still, a competent approach will have a positive effect on the quality of the crop.
Basic care includes:
- Watering. The Riviera variety is undemanding to frequent watering; irrigation will only be sufficient during a long drought.
- Loosening. This shallow tillage is recommended during drought or prolonged rainfall.
- Hilling. This procedure helps stimulate the growth and development of tubers. It is carried out twice. The first hilling is carried out when the bush reaches a height of 15 cm, the second - with an interval of 3 weeks.
- Feeding. Riviera responds well to complex fertilizers. Mineral and nitrogen fertilizing is usually applied during hilling of bushes.
During growing potatoes Don't forget about pest control.At the first signs of the appearance of insects, potato bushes must be treated with special chemicals.
Despite the fact that Riviera potatoes appeared in Russia not so long ago, they have already gained great popularity among gardeners. Early yield and taste of beautiful fruits will appeal to any gourmet. And the simplicity of agricultural technology will allow even lazy summer residents to breed the variety.
