Characteristics of Meteor potatoes
Gardeners often acquire new varieties of vegetables for their plots. They plant seeds and tubers, tend the plants and share their experience with budding gardeners. Based on the description of the potato and the reviews of experts regarding the cultivation of the plant, we can say that the super-early potato variety Meteor, despite its young age, has gained popularity. It can be cultivated throughout the country: in the Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Black Earth regions and in the fields of the West Siberian regions.
Characteristics of Meteor potatoes
Characteristics of Meteor potatoes
This variety differs from other varieties in its high growth of shoots. But there are some features inherent in this particular plant.
- Meteor potatoes - for table purposes.
- Fruit yield is above average.
- Suitable for all types of heat treatment, without exception.
- It tastes great.
Subject to agricultural technology, you can get more than 450c / ha. The minimum yield was observed at about 200c / ha, with a combination of unfavorable weather, poor maintenance and inappropriate soil composition.
You can make various salads from potatoes. The presence of about 14% starch means that it does not boil over and is suitable for dietary nutrition. But you can make mashed potatoes if you cook it a little longer. An interesting feature is the possibility of using vacuum packaging for semi-finished products.
Fried potatoes and tubers in their skins are very tasty and nutritious. Dense peel, at the stage of technical ripeness, does not crack at high temperatures.
Disease resistance
The high resistance of Meteor to diseases such as:
- potato cancer;
- viral mosaic of leaves;
- late blight on tubers;
- rhizoctonia;
- common scab.
This characteristic allows the use of chemicals in smaller quantities, makes it possible to grow environmentally friendly products.
Advantages of potatoes
The visible advantage of the plant is its early maturity and other features.
- The first harvest of young tubers can be harvested within 1.5 months after germination.
- Full maturation of tubers suitable for storage takes up to 70 days.
- Marketability is high up to 98% of the total harvest.
Young tubers can be harvested early enough, but they are only suitable for short-term consumption and marketing.
Potatoes of technical maturity are laid for storage, in which, until the new harvest, the tubers retain their presentation. They do not give in to decay, do not suffer from circular rot, do not lose turgor.
With industrial cultivation, it is possible to transport goods over long distances and provide vegetables to the regions of the Far North, Trans-Urals and the Far East. Neither distance nor difficult transportation conditions spoil the appearance of the tubers.They do not show dents and gray rot, which can harm other varieties that are less suitable for transportation.
The adaptability to various soils is also high. But if you grow potatoes for yourself, then you can create good soil in a small area and not experiment.
Disadvantages of Meteor potatoes
It is necessary to protect plants from the beetle
A significant disadvantage when growing this variety can be a weak resistance to late blight on leaves and to the banded mosaic virus. A mild response to Alternaria virus can also be a nuisance for potato growers.
The plant is affected by the massive release of Colorado potato beetle larvae. But the right growing strategy and disease prevention will help overcome these obstacles.
Description of the bush
The early Meteor potato has lush erect bushes. Some stems on the periphery may be slightly tilted. They are of medium thickness, ribbed, green in color.
The leafiness of the stems is good. Potato-type leaves, not large, slightly dissected, slightly corrugated. The veins are poorly expressed. The color of the leaf blade is dark green, saturated.
The flowers are located at the top of the stem, collected in simple inflorescences. The corolla of the flower is fused at the base. The petals are white, without anthocyanin coloration inside.
The berries do not set well and may fall off. Those that remain on the plant carry few seeds, which is not desirable for seed reproduction.
Description of tubers
Meteor is a potato, the description of which will not be complete if you do not tell about the tubers. Up to 12 large tubers ripen in the fruit nest. Their shape is close to the classic potato type: oval-round. The weight of the potatoes is about 120g.
Early potatoes have a thin and tender yellow rind. The eyes are poorly expressed. When cut, the color of the flesh is also yellow. The starchiness on the cut is hardly noticeable; it does not darken over time.
Growing potatoes
You can plant tubers at a soil temperature of at least 10 ° C. The composition of the soil for this variety does not matter much, but it is better if the site is sandy loam.
If possible, then in early autumn, plants are sown on it - siderates, such as:
- white mustard;
- lupine;
- alfalfa;
- winter wheat and rye.
The grown sprouts of mustard, lupine and alfalfa are embedded in the soil, digging deeply into it, in the fall. Winter crops need to be pruned with a hoe in the spring. Adding 35-40 buckets of humus in the fall to fertilize the soil will also help make the land more fertile.
The ridges are oriented from north to south for better heating and lighting. The distance between the rows, according to the reviews of experienced gardeners, is at least 60 cm, and between the planting pits - 25 cm. The pits should be shallow, about 10 cm.
Seed preparation
Selected in the fall, the tubers are examined and those that show signs of rot are rejected. They are laid out in boxes, a month before planting and put on landscaping in the light and for germination.
The room temperature must be at least 10 ° C. Landscaping is necessary so that solanine forms in the tubers, which will protect young plants from pests. When planted in the soil, the height of the shoots is usually about 2 - 3 cm. Before planting, the tubers are treated with Prestige.
Potato care
Even beginner potato growers can master the growing process that the Meteor early potato variety requires. It includes several items.
- Timely weeding and loosening of the soil.
- Hilling and feeding.
- Watering the plot.
- Pest control.
Weeds are removed as they emerge. Loosening the soil is imperative because it gives access to the root system, carbon. It promotes the rapid growth of tubers.
In a rainy summer, complex fertilizers are applied to the soil surface in the area of the stems and embedded in the soil when the bushes are hilling. In dry times, they are added to the water for irrigation. Fertilizers should include:
- ammonium nitrate;
- potassium salts;
- superphosphate.
When applied to 1m², 20g of each substance will be needed.
Top dressing can be done with organic matter. To do this, take mullein or bird droppings and dilute with water 1: 1. Place in a warm place for 2 weeks and stir occasionally for better fermentation. Water 1:10 is added to the finished substance and the plantings are watered under the root or between the rows.
You need to fight the Colorado potato beetle by collecting adult insects. But when the larvae appear, insecticides such as Antizhuk, Aktara and other chemicals are used.
Conclusion
The characteristic of this tuberous plant says that no matter what regional or weather conditions you have for growing vegetables, you can work hard to achieve high yields of the Meteor variety. And delicious potatoes prepared by a skilled hostess in the form of first and second courses will please everyone, without exception. Surplus early harvest can easily be traded in markets where young potatoes are in high demand in spring and summer.