Content
Potatoes are the most common vegetable in our country. It is grown in almost every area. Therefore, every gardener wants to choose the most productive and tasty variety for himself. Breeders, knowing this, are constantly developing and improving potato varieties. Every year there are more and more of them. With such variety, it is difficult to determine the best option. In this article we will look at one of the favorite varieties of many gardeners - “Breeze”. Below you will see detailed characteristics of the Breeze potato variety.
Characteristics of the variety
The “Breeze” potato variety is classified as a mid-early variety. From the moment of planting until the tubers fully ripen, it takes from 60 to 80 days. There is no need to delay harvesting; as soon as 2–2.5 months have passed, you can safely begin harvesting.
The plant has a rather thin stem with a pale color. But the leaves of the “Breeze” potato are large and bright. They have a rich green color with dark veins and edging. The leaves are slightly wavy and rough on top. The inflorescences of this variety are medium in size. The petals are white both inside and outside. In general, the bush is unremarkable and moderately spreading.
The stems are semi-erect, which is very convenient, since the bush will not lie on the ground.The bushes themselves are not tall, but quite productive. On average, about 395 centners of potatoes can be harvested from one hectare. The tubers are oval in shape. The peel is pleasant to the touch, smoothness is medium. The eyes are not very deep. The weight of one tuber can reach up to 150 grams. The photo below shows the color of the tuber in cross-section. As you can see, the potatoes have a slightly yellowish color. The starch concentration in fruits ranges from 10 to 16%.
Advantages and disadvantages
The characteristics of the Breeze potato variety contain both advantages and disadvantages. But still, the advantages prevail in this case. So, the “Breeze” potato variety received the following positive reviews:
- high and stable yields;
- good fruit taste. When boiled, the variety received 7 points out of 10;
- good commercial quality;
- high resistance to potato cancer and golden nematode;
- striped and wrinkled mosaic does not affect this variety;
- leaves do not curl;
- the fruits are easy to peel.
Such tubers are amenable to any type of processing. All kinds of dishes are prepared from them. The fruits cook and fry quickly. Considering all this, it becomes clear why it is so difficult to find bad reviews about Breeze potatoes.
Growing Potatoes
Tubers for planting are selected in the fall. They keep well in a cool room throughout the winter. Potato preparation begins a month before planting. It definitely needs to be germinated. Some people place the tubers in plastic and leave them that way. Others simply take the boxes of potatoes to a warm place.
At this stage, prevention of various diseases is carried out. For example, planting material can be treated with a manganese solution.It should be slightly pink. Also, many gardeners spray the tubers with a special preparation that speeds up germination.
Next, they begin to prepare the soil, which also needs to be processed. The site has been dug up since the fall. You can add grass, leaves or food scraps to the soil. This is all dug up along with the earth. Over the winter, the process of rotting will take place, and the waste will turn into excellent fertilizer.
In the spring, immediately after it gets warmer, you can start planting tubers. First, you should dig holes, the depth of which is at least 9 cm. Fertilizer and prepared potatoes are placed there. You can place 2 or 3 tubers in one hole, this will significantly increase the yield. If you believe the reviews, then “Breeze” potatoes are best planted at a great distance from each other. Some gardeners leave at least 0.9 m between the onions. This way you can protect the bushes from the spread of diseases. In addition, the bushes will not interfere with each other and block sunlight. This will allow you to reap a more generous harvest.
The most dangerous diseases
The description of the Breeze potato warns that this variety is prone to golden tuber disease. Considering that many gardens are infected with this virus, you should be very careful. If your site is infected, it is better not to plant “Breeze” in your garden. But everything is not so bad; this variety is highly resistant to many common diseases. Namely like this:
- Striped mosaic.
- Potato cancer.
- Hall of leaves.
According to the characteristics, potatoes of the Breeze variety have good resistance to rhizoctonia and blackleg. Potato Alternaria appears due to a fungus called Alternaria.As you know, potatoes are often infected with fungal diseases. Therefore, gardeners will have to treat with special preparations called fungicides.
Keep in mind that potatoes need time to develop. Don't draw conclusions from the first year's harvest alone. It will take 2–3 years to truly appreciate a potato variety. Of course, yield largely depends on climate and soil composition. Therefore, you should take a good look to choose the variety that suits you.
Proper care
To reap a good harvest of large potatoes, you need not only to plant the tubers correctly, but also to provide them with quality care. The first and most important thing is to regularly loosen the soil. Do not allow a crust to form on the soil surface. Moreover, this procedure is necessary both before and after potato germination. When the potatoes grow a little, it will be possible to loosen only the row spacing.
Reviews and characteristics of the “Breeze” potato variety show that the bushes need fertilizers for good growth. For this purpose, both organic and mineral fertilizers are used. This will increase productivity and make the bushes stronger. It is better to carry out such procedures after rains or waterings. An infusion of bird droppings or a solution of mullein are suitable as organic matter.
Potato feeding is carried out in 3 stages:
- The first fertilizing is necessary when the green mass begins to grow. To do this, combine a spoonful of urea and 10 liters of clean water in one container. Then the potatoes are watered with this solution. For one bush, half a liter of the prepared mixture will be enough.
- The second feeding is carried out during the formation of buds. To prepare the fertilizer, combine 10 liters of water, a spoonful of potassium sulfate and a spoonful of wood ash in one container.
- The third feeding is necessary during active potato flowering. This time you should mix 10 liters of clean water with a glass of mullein and two tablespoons of superphosphate.
If it is hot outside during flowering, you will have to water the bushes. At this time they especially need strength. There is no need to spare water; 2 to 3 liters of liquid are poured under each bush. The best time for watering is morning or evening, when the sun is not so active. But don’t get too carried away with watering. During the entire season, potatoes are watered no more than five times. Excess moisture will only contribute to the proliferation of pathogens.
Conclusion
Taking into account all the considered photos, reviews and descriptions of the Breeze potato variety, we can safely say that this is one of the best varieties for growing at home. It has excellent taste and high yield, and is also resistant to most diseases. It is a pleasure to care for such bushes.
