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Among the huge variety of garlic varieties, summer residents especially appreciate the bolting winter varieties, which can be planted in the autumn, thus freeing up time in the spring for planting other crops. Petrovsky garlic is a worthy representative of this category, standing out for its outstanding characteristics and memorable taste.
History of variety selection
The Petrovsky garlic variety has been known to gardeners for decades. It was bred at the end of the 20th century at the All-Russian Research Institute for Selection and Seed Production of Vegetable Crops. In 1998, the variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation, where it is still listed today. The properties of this vegetable were highly appreciated not only by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, but also by ordinary gardeners, who consider Petrovsky one of the best varieties of winter garlic.
Description of the Petrovsky garlic variety
In appearance, Petrovsky garlic is a perennial herbaceous plant 65 - 75 cm high.This variety belongs to the arrowing varieties and has fairly wide, erect leaves of a deep dark green color, which gradually taper towards the end. The surface of the leaf plates is smooth, with a waxy coating, and is 8 - 10 mm wide.
The bulbs of this crop are quite large. They have a round, slightly flattened shape and can reach a weight of up to 60 g. In the axils of one bulb, about 6 - 8 cloves are formed, covered with dirty white scales with purple veins.
According to the description and photo, the garlic cloves of the Petrovsky variety are oblong: slightly concave on one side and convex on the other. In the middle they have a noticeable thickening. The color of the teeth varies from pale brown to ivory. The taste of Petrovsky garlic is slightly more pungent than other varieties and has a long, tart aftertaste.
Petrovsky garlic blooms quite modestly. Its spherical inflorescences on long stems consist of a large number of small flowers, the size of which does not exceed 3 mm. The petals of such flowers are almost always white, occasionally pale lilac. They have virtually no aroma and produce very few seeds.
Characteristics of the variety
Garlic variety Petrovsky is very popular among gardeners due to its outstanding characteristics.
According to the description, Petrovsky garlic is a mid-season variety. This variety is not too picky about soils, but the plant feels most comfortable in loamy soil, where the acidity level is neutral at 5 - 7 pH.
Due to its high frost resistance, the crop is suitable for sowing for the winter and, with proper care, can produce a significant harvest in regions with not the most friendly climate.
Bulbs of the Petrovsky variety are characterized by a long shelf life, are able to remain fresh for many weeks and do not lose their presentation during long-distance transportation. In addition, this crop has a fairly high yield.
Productivity
Abundant yields have made the Petrovsky variety in demand among professional gardeners. Using a competent approach from 1 m2 garlic beds can be harvested every season 0.5 - 1 kg of crop. The average weight of one onion, as a rule, ranges from 30 to 60 g, but can exceed 75 g.
As mentioned above, Petrovsky garlic is a mid-season variety. The ripening period of plant bulbs takes from 80 to 120 days, depending on growing conditions. The following factors significantly influence the timing of ripening, as well as the volume of the future harvest of the Petrovsky variety:
- choosing a landing site;
- soil fertility;
- systematic watering;
- regularly changing the place where garlic grows;
- quality of fertilizing and its regular application;
- preventive treatment against pests and diseases.
If you pay due attention to care requirements and pay attention to the crop, you can increase the garlic yield to 1.5 kg/m2.
Resistance to diseases and pests
In addition to impressive yield indicators, the Petrovsky variety is characterized by increased resistance to most diseases to which plants of the Onion family are susceptible. In addition, garlic of this variety has increased resistance to fungal infections and parasitic organisms.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Garlic of the Petrovsky variety has a number of advantages, thanks to which it stands out among other representatives of the species. These include:
- versatility of the variety;
- large-sized bulbs;
- resistance to various pathogens;
- long storage time of the crop;
- good transport tolerance;
- outstanding taste properties;
- frost resistance.
The few disadvantages of Petrovsky garlic include:
- strong dependence of harvest volumes on growing conditions;
- the need to transplant the crop to a new place every 3 - 4 years.
Planting and care
As for the peculiarities of growing Petrovsky garlic, this variety cannot be called particularly picky. Caring for the crop does not require special actions and comes down to standard watering, weeding, fertilizing and loosening the plant.
In turn, planting this variety of garlic has some nuances that should be taken into account to achieve a bountiful harvest.
Based on the description and reviews of gardeners who are familiar with this crop first-hand, Petrovsky garlic prefers sunny areas with fertile, not too wet or dry soil as a planting site. Plant garlic cloves 3-4 weeks before the onset of cold weather so that they have enough time to take root and get stronger. Otherwise, weak plants will not be able to survive the winter. In the northern regions, this period, as a rule, begins on September 25, and in the southern regions - from October 10. 1 - 1.5 months before planting the Petrovsky variety, it is necessary to prepare the soil by digging it to a depth of 20 - 25 cm.
When planting garlic, Petrovsky is guided by the following scheme:
- The distance from bed to bed should be at least 25 cm.
- Garlic cloves are planted at a distance of 10 cm from each other. In this case, the recesses must be at least 8 cm.
With the onset of spring, as soon as the first sprouts of Petrovsky garlic sprout, weeding is carried out.
Plants are watered from mid-May to early July, focusing on the degree of soil moisture - it should not be very dry or too wet. Watering is stopped 2 - 3 weeks before harvest.
Fertilizing the crop should be done at least 3 times per season. In this case, it is advisable to alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. The first feeding of garlic of the Petrovsky variety is carried out when the third leaf appears. During this period, the plant is fertilized with urea. After 2 - 3 weeks, the soil is enriched with nitroammophos. Towards the end of June, when the formation of bulbs begins, the garlic is fed with superphosphate. After this, it is no longer necessary to add additional fertilizers to the soil.
Diseases and pests
Although Petrovsky garlic has increased resistance to various ailments and pests, lack of care and unfavorable conditions can lead to infection of the crop. Among the diseases to which Petrovsky garlic is susceptible are:
- various types of rot (white, black neck, and others);
- powdery mildew;
- Fusarium
Preventative measures that help prevent the development of diseases include careful digging before planting. In addition, it is strictly not recommended to plant Petrovsky garlic in the same area for more than 4 years in a row.
From time to time, the following pests may disturb Petrovsky garlic:
- onion hoverfly;
- onion sharpener;
- onion thrips;
- onion fly.
Ash powder scattered between the garlic beds helps fight pests. Treating the plant with tobacco dust after precipitation has worked well. Other folk remedies that repel parasitic insects include a decoction of hot pepper and mustard infusion.
Conclusion
It is not for nothing that Petrovsky garlic enjoys the reputation of one of the best winter varieties. Thanks to its numerous positive characteristics and ease of care, it deserves the attention of both amateur gardeners and professional agronomists.
