Characteristics of Gala potatoes
When choosing potatoes for planting on their site, gardeners pay attention to many qualities that help determine the profitability of growing. Among them are not only the taste, the rate of ripening of tubers, but also the rules for caring for a growing plant. The relatively young Gala potato variety has gained wide popularity among gardeners.
- What are the features of the variety
- Varietal analogues
- Strengths and weaknesses of culture
- How to plant a crop correctly
- Measures to prepare the site for planting
- Soil preparation
- Measures for the preparation of planting material
- Tuber germination methods
- Landing in the soil
- How to care for your culture
- Rules for the care of soil and bushes
- How to water a crop
- Conclusion
The choice is influenced by high yield, unpretentious care, taste and dietary properties of potatoes. Undoubtedly, the quick ripening of the crop also plays a role.
What are the features of the variety
Gala potatoes belong to the class of early ripening. The tubers of the culture can be considered fully ripe after two months from the moment the potatoes were planted in the soil. Bushes reach medium height. The description also suggests that the bushes are usually medium spreading. The stems are distinguished by their power, uniform development. Also, the characteristic of the varietal variety notes that the stems of the culture are erect. The color of the ground part of Gala potatoes is deep green. The foliage is large and slightly wavy. The corolla is medium in size, the color of the corolla is white.
Tubers of the Gala potato variety usually have an oval or rounded shape, covered with a yellowish skin on top. On average, the fruits reach a mass of 100-120 grams. Their description also suggests that the dimensions do not exceed 7-8 cm in length and 5 cm in width. Gala potatoes yield up to 25 fruits per bush. The pulp of the tubers is fibrous, dense, light yellow or yellow in color, as the characteristic says.
Varietal analogues
Like any other Varietal variety, Galla has its analogues, which are similar in their main characteristics. To date, the following are widely used:
- Elite.
- Oredezh.
The reviews of those people who ate this variety are extremely positive. Taste properties were rated 9 out of 10. In addition, the following positive qualities of the varietal variety are distinguished:
- Minimal starch content in tubers.
- The composition is rich in vitamins and microelements, which makes it possible to introduce culture into dietary diets.
- Preservation of the structure and color of the fruit after heat treatment.
- Easy peeling due to the correct shape of the potatoes.
However, gardeners note not only the above qualities and high yield of varietal varieties. They do not lose sight of such a property as the keeping quality of fruits. A high level of this characteristic ensures a longer storage of the culture.
Strengths and weaknesses of culture
A complete characteristic of varietal varieties includes not only a list of the main properties of a particular crop, but also a list of the main advantages and disadvantages. They will help the grower fully establish the difference between this variety and other types of potatoes. This is the only way to make a fully informed choice of which potatoes to plant on your site.
To date, the following advantages are highlighted in this variety:
- Early ripening of the crop.
- The crop is well stored, the fruits are resistant to transportation.
- The variety is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to the ground.
- Possibility of using potatoes in dietary meals.
- Gala variety is resistant to cancer of the root system.
- The plant is resistant to the defeat of the golden cyst nematode.
- This potato variety is able to withstand the lack of moisture without significantly reducing the yield.
- Gala variety is appreciated in the market for its high commercial characteristics and performance.
If we talk about the shortcomings, then there are few of them. Gardeners note that the main weakness that the variety possesses is its weak resistance to diseases such as late blight and rhizoctonia.
Summing up, we can say that the key product description Gala is a potato variety that will very soon justify its cultivation in the garden. And not only a set of basic properties will help in this, but also a wonderful rich taste and wide possibilities of using potatoes.
How to plant a crop correctly
Usually, potatoes are a crop that is demanding on the composition of the soil and the level of its fertility. For this reason, gardeners unanimously recommend taking time to prepare the planting site. This will allow the crop to show its maximum yield.
In order for the culture to bring a good harvest, it is worth remembering not only the rules by which the planting site is prepared. It is equally important to pay attention to the location of the site and the main qualities that the soil is endowed with.
If the gardener wants to successfully grow the Gala potato variety, then it is recommended to plant it in the following place:
- The planting site should be on a flat area that is well lit.
- Groundwater should run at a depth of at least 1.5 meters.
- It is permissible to grow potato bushes in clay or sandy soil that has undergone preliminary preparation.
- The acidity level of the soil should be low for the crop to be more resistant to disease-causing processes.
However, proper and timely soil preparation will help solve problems with acidity or fertility. The main thing is to clearly know what needs to be done in order for the variety to bring the maximum possible yield.
Measures to prepare the site for planting
In order for the Gala variety to grow on the site and show the maximum yield, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil. First of all, the gardener needs to determine the level of acidity of the soil on the site. This is done quite simply.
To check the acidity, you need to take 4 leaves of bird cherry, which are poured with 200 ml of boiling water. After the resulting solution has cooled down, a small lump of soil from the growing area is added to it. The color of the liquid resulting from the reaction that has taken place will show the acidity of the soil. A red solution is an indication of high acidity. A blue liquid indicates a neutral level, and a green one indicates a low acidity level.
Soil preparation
After all the necessary land parameters are determined, you can proceed to the direct preparation of the soil. It begins in the autumn. The algorithm looks like this:
- First, the site should be dug up or plowed up. Digging depth should be from 10 to 30 cm. This is the size of the layer of fertile soil. After that, a layer of compacted podzol begins, which is not recommended to touch.
- During this process, the soil should also be fertilized. Compost or humus is used as a material. For the best result, use 5-7 kg of substance per 1 square meter of land. Superphosphate and potassium sulfate are also added to the fertilizer. The proportions are 35-40 g and 15 g, respectively. If there is acidic soil on the site, additionally use chalk or dolomite flour at the rate of 500-600 g of substance per 1 square meter of soil. The procedure is performed once every five years.
- In the spring, the land plot selected for planting a potato crop is re-dug up. The depth is one shovel bayonet. The procedure is carried out after the soil dries out and begins to break well into lumps.
- In the spring, the soil is also enriched. For this, ammonium nitrate is used. The calculation of the proportion is 20 grams of substance per square meter of earth. Clay soil is also enriched by adding humus or peat to it. Add one bucket per 1 sq. M. Sandy soil is mixed with clay type soil, taken in the same proportion.
Potatoes are planted in the soil no earlier than the end of April or during the first decade of May. The main indicator is soil temperature. If it does not steadily fall below the 10-degree mark, the crop can be planted in the soil.
Measures for the preparation of planting material
When planting potato tubers, it is not only the preparation of the land that is important. Experienced gardeners say that seed should also be prepared accordingly.
First of all, it is worth selecting such material for planting, the quality of which will leave no doubt. The ideal is the choice of tubers weighing up to 100 g, on which there are no mechanical damage or traces indicating rot. An additional recommendation for the gardener is also to take tubers from the most productive bushes for subsequent planting in the soil.
If an insufficient amount of material is found for planting, it is permissible to divide the tubers into several parts. But in order to maximize the Gala potatoes, it is necessary to adhere to a number of simple rules, namely:
- The knife, with which the tubers will be separated, is pretreated with a 5% solution of copper sulfate. This makes it possible to increase the resistance of the planting material to diseases.
- The fruits are cut only longitudinally. A half cut crosswise will not yield a crop.
- Each piece of root vegetable should have at least 2-3 eyes.
Those gardeners who planted Gala potatoes also argue that it is important to pay attention to the germination of the planting material. To date, two methods have been identified for preparing material for planting in the highest efficiency, namely dry and wet germination.
Tuber germination methods
In the first method, the tubers are placed in plastic bags with holes. In such conditions, tubers are stored at a temperature of 20 degrees for 30-40 days. The preparation is considered complete when the roots turn green.
The main essence of the second method is somewhat different. The seeds are placed in boxes, covered with dry sawdust, humus or moistened peat. Tubers lie in such conditions for 25-30 days. The temperature regime is maintained at 15 degrees Celsius.
In order to complete the preparation process, the seeds are kept in a solution of special preparations that can prevent the development of fungal infections. Most often, the means "Tabu" and "Maxim" are used.
Landing in the soil
For maximum yield, the correct planting of Gala potatoes on the site is important. Usually it is made in pre-prepared grooves, the depth of which is no more than 10 cm. The distance between two adjacent grooves is 50 cm. The rows are placed at a distance of 80-90 cm from each other.
One root vegetable is placed in each groove, directing the sprouts upward. The cut tubers are placed in the soil immediately.
After placing the planting material, the pits are covered with soil, and then watered using 1 liter of water per bush. The final stage is the leveling of the land plot with the planted crop.
How to care for your culture
It is quite simple to care for potatoes sprouting on the site. This is evidenced by numerous reviews of gardeners. Proper watering, hilling bushes and loosening the soil are sufficient measures.
Rules for the care of soil and bushes
For the culture to grow properly, air must be supplied to the roots of each bush. To do this, it is important to loosen the soil 5 days after the Gala potatoes are planted on the site. Thereafter, the procedure is repeated after the crust has formed.
Hilling is done in order to strengthen the bush and enhance its growth. Another purpose of hilling is to protect the plant from temperature changes. The first hilling is carried out at a time when the seedlings reach a size of 10 cm. The procedure is repeated when the Gala potato reaches a height of 40 cm. It is necessary to carry out hilling only in the evening or in the morning after watering the crop. The sprouts trapped under the hot soil will be baked from overheating.
How to water a crop
According to the product description Gala - the variety must be watered three times during the season, namely:
- When shoots appear.
- During the flowering culture.
- During bud formation.
However, it is equally important to monitor the regularity of precipitation and its amount. A watering can with a spray is used for watering. The rate is approximately 1.5-2 liters of water per bush.
Conclusion
If the gardener decided to grow a varietal variety Gala on his site, the description of the variety will become a find with all the necessary information. The facts about all the properties and characteristics of the crop will show that this varietal variety is excellent for cultivation. Good taste, long-term storage without damage to tubers, versatility of root crops - all this has a positive effect on the choice of varietal varieties. It is also worth paying attention to the reviews of other gardeners, which talk about early ripening, good product indicators and other advantages that Gala potatoes have.