Characteristics of Latona potatoes
The Latona potato variety, despite its Russian name, is of German origin, since this variety was bred by German breeders. At the beginning of this century, they invented the Latona potatoes, which quickly became popular throughout the Russian Federation.
Characteristics of Latona potatoes
This variety is appreciated for its high taste and seed production. This significantly reduces the cost of planting material and makes it possible to grow healthy tubers.
Features of the variety
Latona potatoes are distinguished by medium-sized bushes with large leaves that have wavy edges.
The color is dark green, but towards the middle it becomes almost salad. Tubers can be recognized by their oval shape with an even, smooth skin and small eyes, weighing from 96 to 133 grams. The potato has a yellow skin and a pleasant deep yellow flesh.
Advantages and disadvantages
Exceptional taste and property not to boil over make it possible to use potatoes in various favorite dishes - soups, frying, salads. Latona potatoes belong to culinary type B, and due to the low starch content of 12.3%, they darken a little during cooking.
The seed variety Latona has many advantages:
- high yield, not less than 130-190 centners / ha;
- attractive presentation;
- good keeping quality, by the end of spring the tubers remain even and smooth;
- rarely exposed to diseases, especially such as golden potato cyst nematode, late blight, tuber rot, rhizoctonia, Y virus, leaf roll virus, etc.;
- resistant to drought and mechanical damage;
- early maturity, allows harvesting within 70-80 days after planting;
- picky about the soil.
The disadvantages of Latona potatoes are most often due to improper growing conditions and insufficient care. With its high resistance to disease, the plant is highly susceptible to scab.
Planting potatoes
The Latona variety complies with the general planting rules.
Preparation begins one and a half months before disembarkation. If the tubers were stored in basements or other cool rooms in cold weather, then in a month and a half they need to be transferred to a warmer and lighter place.
In the process of acclimatization to new conditions, the tubers should germinate. In order to speed up germination, they are sometimes placed in plastic bags, thus creating a greenhouse effect.
Soil preparation
The soil needs to be fertilized
Growing nightshades requires soil preparation from the fall. To do this, when digging, rotted mullein or bird droppings are introduced into the soil. Organic fertilizers will stimulate the growth of the underground parts of the plant.
Seed potatoes are pre-planted in separate containers. If you plan to grow exactly the seeds, then the soil in the pots also needs to be prepared. To do this, mix:
- fertile topsoil;
- peat;
- river sand;
- deciduous humus.
Such a substrate will provide the seedlings with all the necessary minerals and trace elements. Among other things, before planting, it is worth spilling the earth well with warm water.
Landing
Sprouted tubers are planted in the ground when its temperature reaches 10⁰ C. At this temperature, sprouts appear after a few weeks.
For the correct growth of the crop when planting, we recommend adhering to the following standards:
- The distance between the rows is 70 centimeters, and between the holes is 35 centimeters. Such proportions will ensure free growth of the bushes, which will not interfere with each other during the growth and flowering period.
- The description of the planting mechanism does not give clear advice on the depth of the hole, since this indicator depends on the nature of the soil.
- Just as before planting, after planting, the surface of the earth must be leveled for even germination.
It is very important to select the right tubers for planting. These must be whole, undamaged medium-sized tubers. The characteristics of the soil are also taken into account. Good potatoes cannot be grown in stony, clayey soil.
Potato care
In order for the plant to germinate as quickly as possible and give a good harvest, it is necessary to properly care for the plantings. Timely hilling and watering can increase the yield and size of the tubers themselves.
Watering
Potatoes Latona, loves moderate moisture, since increased watering will lead to decay. The best way to moisturize shrubs is irrigation, which will provide normal moisture access for the tubers and the shrub itself. Water for irrigation should not be too cold, so as not to injure the vulnerable rhizome.
After watering the beds, be sure to push with a hoe. This must be done very carefully. It is also recommended to spud the bushes after watering.
Fertilizer
If fertilizers were not applied to the soil in the spring, then it is worth feeding the bushes during loosening or hilling.
It is worth remembering that it is carried out only on wet soil to increase the percentage of absorption of nutrients.
The following is introduced into the soil:
- humus;
- mullein or bird droppings;
- ash;
- phosphorus and ammonia fertilizers
The last feeding is done no later than a month before harvesting, otherwise the tubers may contain a large amount of elements harmful to the human body. Among other things, such a vegetable will be worse stored.
Pest control
Treatment of plants from pests can be carried out in two ways. The first is before landing, and the second after it. If pests are found on the tubers, the plant is completely treated with preparations of the fungicidal and insecticidal series.
Before planting in open ground, sprouted tubers are advised to be treated with special disinfectants (Prestige) and growth stimulation (Heteroauxin). If you process an already grown shrub, then the solution should be stronger, and you need to spray it in cloudy weather or in the evening. If it rains immediately after the procedure, the spraying is repeated.
Conclusion
Latona potatoes have a lot of positive reviews and occupy one of the leading positions in the market of planting material.
The characteristics and description of the variety speak for themselves. It is the unpretentiousness, abundant and high-quality yields that the plant has earned its worldwide appreciation.
There is a description of the many dishes that can be prepared from these tubers. They are good both fried and boiled. The versatility of the variety once again emphasizes its uniqueness.