The Gulliver potato was bred by Russian breeders. In 2014 it was included in the State Register. Among farmers, this variety ranks high in popularity. The ideal place for its cultivation is the central regions of Russia, where the lands are rich in nutrients.
Description of the variety
This table potato variety has an early ripening period. As its description notes, the first tubers can be dug up already 60–70 days after planting. By this time, the weight of the fruit is 130–150 g. They resemble an elongated oval in shape.The inside is creamy. The color of the upper skin is yellow, it is smooth and shiny.
One bush usually produces from 5 to 11 tubers. The yield from one bush is approximately 2 kg. Accordingly, farmers harvest 500–700 centners of root crops from 1 hectare. The starch content of the variety is 11–14%.
Growing
When growing potatoes, it is necessary to follow basic agrotechnological techniques. It is preferable to plant it in fertile light soil. The seed material is first greened by placing it under the sun's rays for a while. This can be done in the fall before storing for winter.
In the spring, 3–4 weeks before planting, the tubers are placed in shallow boxes and placed in a warm room for germination. It is enough if the temperature in such a room is about 16–18 degrees. It can be planted in the soil if its temperature at a depth of 15 cm is warmed up to 8 degrees Celsius.
In autumn, during plowing, organic fertilizers (rotted cow manure) are applied. At the time of planting, you can add a handful of ash and a pinch of mineral fertilizers to the hole.
In areas with close groundwater, root crops are planted on high ridges. To do this, they dig small furrows into which they lay seed potatoes, and then a soil ridge about 15 cm high is poured on top.
Features of care
The following are the basic techniques for caring for planted potatoes:
- loosening the soil;
- weed removal;
- hilling;
- compliance with the irrigation regime;
- pest control;
- carrying out fertilizing.
After the seedlings reach 10–15 cm, the first hilling is carried out with the simultaneous removal of weeds.The earthen mound is poured in such a way that only the leaves remain open and the stem is covered with earth. As the bushes grow, a second hilling is carried out.
Potatoes require watering for normal development. It is most demanding of moisture during tuber growth. Regular loosening of the soil helps provide oxygen to the roots.
Advantages and disadvantages
Positive characteristics of Gulliver potatoes:
- Good presentation.
- High taste qualities.
- The appearance does not deteriorate during transportation or storage.
- Unpretentiousness when growing.
- Disease resistance.
There are no deficiencies identified in this potato. Only reviews from some gardeners note that the shelf life of these root crops decreases when stored in winter.
Pests and diseases
The plant is quite resistant to fungal diseases. Sometimes fruits can be affected by nematodes. To cope with this problem, copper-containing preparations are used for treatment.
A common phenomenon, the Colorado potato beetle infestation, can be prevented using one of the many remedies available in gardening stores or on the Internet. Sometimes, for this purpose, tubers are treated before planting, which subsequently repels the beetle from the above-ground part of the plant.
Harvest and storage
This is an early variety; you can start digging it up already 90–110 days after planting in the soil. Farmers harvest up to 500–700 centners of root crops from 1 hectare. After harvesting at the stage of full ripening and placing it in storage, the potatoes have a high shelf life of 95%.
Reviews from gardeners
Maria Petrovna, Kuban: “We planted Gulliver potatoes on our plot. There were no particular difficulties during cultivation.Of course, we had to promptly hill up, water, and spray against the Colorado potato beetle.”
Nelli Vasilyeva, Moscow region: “The taste of Gulliver potatoes is excellent. All dishes with it have a pleasant taste, the tubers are smooth, without deep eyes. As a drawback, I would like to note that in my cellar, for some reason, some tubers of this variety, placed in storage, wither.”
