Content
Arizona potatoes are the product of Dutch breeders. The variety grows well in the regions: Central, Central Black Earth. Suitable for planting in Ukraine and Moldova.
Description
Arizona potatoes are classified as early table potatoes. The bushes are of medium height, with straight spreading stems. The leaves grow quite large.
Massive oval-shaped tubers gain an average weight of 110-150 g over the course of a season. The skin of the potatoes is yellow, and small eyes remain on the tubers. The pulp is light yellow (photo). The starch index corresponds to table varieties - 13-16%. The ripening period of the crop is 70-85 days. The Arizona potato variety is excellent for winter storage (keeping quality 95%).
Advantages and disadvantages
When evaluating the Arizona variety, gardeners identified several advantages:
- excellent presentation;
- good preservation;
- drought-resistant;
- does not lose its presentation when transported over long distances;
- resistance to golden nematode and potato blight.
The disadvantages of Arizona potatoes include sensitivity to common scab and late blight of leaves.
Landing
An important stage before planting the Arizona variety is the processing and germination of tubers. Select healthy, undamaged material.In order for the sprouts to grow faster, the potatoes are taken to a warm, well-lit place.
A common and popular remedy is “Epin”. Arizona potato tubers treated with the drug can withstand late frosts down to -5 C. The bushes grow more powerful and stronger, and the root crops ripen faster. For spraying, one ampoule (0.25 ml) is diluted in 400 ml of water. This amount is enough to process approximately 200 tubers. The procedure is carried out one day before planting Arizona potatoes.
A lighted place is allocated for potato beds. Non-acidic soil is preferable. Crop rotation is an important factor for obtaining a good harvest. Potatoes grow well after onions, cabbage or various greens.
The Arizona variety is planted in the first half of May - when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. The area must be prepared - loosened, removed weeds. On planting day, the soil is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. Tubers are also sprayed with special means. Fungicide "Matador" will protect planting material from the Colorado potato beetle, wireworm, late blight, and Alternaria. Dilute 30 ml of product in 200 ml of water - this is enough to spray 30-35 tubers. To ensure high-quality processing, Arizona potatoes are laid out in one layer and sprayed first on one side and then on the other.
A little peat mixed with humus is added to holes approximately 10 cm deep. The row spacing is made 65-70 cm wide. And in the row, a distance of 25-30 cm is maintained between the holes.
Care
Arizona potatoes are quite unpretentious. However, following certain care rules will help increase productivity:
- for better potato growth, high beds are formed;
- after watering, the soil must be mulched;
- approximately 5-7 days before digging up the root crops, the tops are cut off.
The choice of irrigation regime is influenced by several factors: climatic features of the area, composition and structure of the soil. If rains are frequent, then there is no need to specifically water the Arizona potato plantings. It is better to loosen the soil regularly. Loosening is also called “dry watering” because it preserves soil moisture.
When growing the Arizona variety in any region, it is important to carry out agronomic practices and plant feeding in a timely manner.
Hilling and feeding
The first time hilling is carried out when the potato stems grow 15-20 cm high. The second time (after 2-3 weeks) the soil is carefully loosened and rolled onto the stems, forming mounds.
What is noteworthy is that hilling is important when growing Arizona potatoes in regions with different climatic features. In dry areas, this technique will prevent the soil from overheating and help maintain soil moisture. And in places with cool and rainy weather, thanks to hilling, the earth will be loosened, which will ensure the flow of air to the root crops.
Fertilizer application
Experienced gardeners recommend feeding plants three times a season:
- As soon as Arizona potato shoots appear, nitrogen-containing compounds are applied. Pale foliage is a signal of nitrogen deficiency. You can use a solution: 500 ml of mullein and 15 g of urea are diluted in 10 liters of water. 500 ml of the mixture is poured under each bush.
- During bud setting, potassium-based fertilizers are applied. This will promote the setting and growth of tubers. In 10 liters, dilute 15 g of potassium sulfate and double superphosphate, half a glass of wood ash. For one bush, 500 ml of solution is enough.
- Approximately 20-25 days before digging the Arizona potato crop, a mineral-organic mixture is applied. For 10 liters of water take 30 g of superphosphate and a glass of slurry. For one bush, 50 ml of fertilizer is enough.
The best option is a combination of fertilizing and hilling the bushes.
Diseases and pests
To obtain a voluminous and high-quality harvest, it is important to notice signs of disease in time and use the right means to combat dangerous insects.
Late blight (brown rot) easily affects the plant. In favorable conditions, when the weather is warm and humid, it quickly attacks the entire planting. The source of rot can be soil, infected tops, or affected neighboring plants (especially the nightshade family). The initial signs are darkening of the lower leaves on the bushes. The entire plant (aerial part and root system) is gradually affected. It is necessary to start fighting for the harvest when the first symptoms appear - planting is sprayed with fungicides: Skor, Ditan, Bravo, Reglon Super. Preventive measures are of particular importance - the rules of crop rotation are observed, Arizona potatoes are not planted in the lowlands, thickening of the beds is not allowed, and bushes are hilled.
Common scab is a fungus that attacks the skin of tubers. The disease leads to the loss of presentation of Arizona variety tubers, the taste of potatoes deteriorates, the amount of starch decreases, and the shelf life of root crops is reduced. The disease develops in dry, hot weather. Control methods: use of physiologically acidic fertilizers (manganese sulfate, ammonium sulfate), culling of infected tubers during planting, regular soil irrigation (especially after the budding phase).
The Colorado potato beetle and its larvae eat the green part of the potato, which leads to the destruction of the bush. The insect overwinters in the ground and as soon as warm weather sets in, it comes to the surface. If your Arizona potato plantings are small, you can collect insects and larvae by hand. A more effective method is the use of biological agents. The beds are sprayed with Agrovertin, Bicol, Colorado. Popular folk remedies include treating bushes with a solution of birch tar (100g of the product is diluted in a ten-liter bucket of water), and an ash-soap solution.
Harvesting
The tops are mowed approximately 7-10 days before digging up the tubers, which speeds up their ripening. It is advisable to harvest in dry weather. The best root crops are left for planting for the next season. Sick and damaged potatoes are thrown away.
In order for Arizona potatoes to dry, they are left on the field for 1-2 hours, provided the air temperature is not high. On a bright hot day, it is better to scatter the crop under a canopy, otherwise burns may appear on the fruits.
The Arizona variety is very popular due to its easy care and excellent growth at low temperatures.
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