Content
The Kiwi variety is an unusual potato variety that is gaining popularity among gardeners. It is planted in various regions and is valued for its original appearance and good taste. Below is a description of the Kiwi potato variety and reviews of it, as well as planting and care rules.
Description of the Kiwi potato variety
Kiwi potatoes were developed in the 90s of the 20th century. in the city of Zhukov, Kaluga region. The variety belongs to amateurs, has not passed state tests and therefore information about the hybrid is not available in the State Register of the Russian Federation.
When studying the description of the Kiwi potato variety, gardeners are interested in the question of whether it is GMO or not. This is due to its high resistance to the Colorado potato beetle. In laboratory conditions, plants are obtained that are resistant to pests and diseases. First, the genes responsible for the desired properties are separated, then special bacteria are introduced into the potato cell.
All products containing GMOs are tested and labeled. In Russia, the sale of 5 genetically modified potato varieties is permitted. Among them, the Kiwi variety is missing.
According to the description of the variety and photo, Kiwi potatoes ripen at a later date. The period from tuber germination to harvesting takes an average of 125 days. This period of time is affected by soil moisture and weather conditions.
Kiwi bushes reach a height of 50 - 80 cm. The shoots are erect, with a large number of branches. The bushes are well leafy. The leaf blade is elongated, rough, jagged along the edges. The color is bright green. The flowers are lush, deep purple.
Characteristics and photos of the Kiwi potato variety:
- elongated shape;
- rounded edges;
- mesh rough peel;
- white dense pulp.
The hybrid got its name due to the similarity of the root crops to kiwi. At the same time, the potatoes have approximately the same size: medium and large. Small specimens are practically never found. Kiwi potato tubers are rich in fiber and dry matter.
Taste qualities of Kiwi potatoes
According to the characteristics of the variety and reviews, the taste of Kiwi potatoes is assessed as average. The tubers are used in cooking. The potato pulp boils and becomes crumbly. The cooking period is from 40 minutes. Compared to other varieties, Kiwi potatoes require longer processing.
The Kiwi variety is not used for frying. Due to the dry matter content, the potatoes burn. Therefore, the harvest is used to produce salads, first and second courses.
Pros and cons of the variety
The main benefits of Kiwi potatoes:
- high productivity;
- unpretentiousness to the place of cultivation;
- long storage period;
- resistance to diseases.
Disadvantages of the Kiwi variety:
- average taste;
- difficult to find on sale;
- limited use.
Planting and caring for Kiwi potatoes
Following the rules of planting and care will help you get a high yield of Kiwi potatoes. Although the variety is considered unpretentious, its development is positively affected by soil fertility, hilling and watering.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Kiwi potatoes are planted in a sunny area. The culture prefers neutral soils, but also grows in acidic soils. For growing the Kiwi variety, light or medium soil is best suited: loam, chernozem, sandstone. If the soil on the site is clayey, the tubers will not be able to fully develop.
The potato plot is located from north to south. Lowlands where water and cold air accumulate are not suitable for planting. Excess moisture in the soil increases the risk of disease spread.
The best predecessors for the crop are cucumber, cabbage, beets, and herbs. If tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplants grew in the beds, it is recommended to change the planting location. Soil preparation begins in the fall. The area is dug up to a depth of 30 cm. The soil is cleared of weed, fertilized with compost and wood ash.
Preparation of planting material
Before planting, it is important to prepare the material. This will increase crop productivity and avoid diseases. For planting, tubers weighing 80 - 100 g are selected. Too small specimens are not suitable, since they will not be able to produce a good harvest.
1 - 1.5 months before planting, the material is transferred to a lighted place. Tubers are germinated at a temperature of +12 °C.Root crops with sprouts 1 cm long are planted in the ground.
Before starting work, Kiwi potatoes are treated with a growth stimulator. The drugs Epin or Zircon are used. For 1 liter of water, 20 drops of the drug are required. The tubers are sprayed with a spray bottle. Treatment stimulates potato growth and increases its resistance to diseases and weather conditions.
If planting material was purchased from hand, it is better to further process it before planting. The tubers are dipped in a 1% boric acid solution. Exposure time – 20 minutes.
Landing rules
Planting potatoes begins when the soil warms up well. The timing depends on the climatic conditions in the region. This is usually the period from late April to mid-May. Tubers are planted in moist soil. The planting depth is chosen taking into account the composition of the soil. On clay soils - no more than 5 cm, in sandy soils - 12 cm.
The procedure for planting Kiwi potatoes:
- Holes or furrows are dug in the area. Between tubers they maintain 30 - 40 cm, between rows - 70 cm.
- A handful of wood ash is placed in each cavity.
- The tubers are lowered into the holes.
- Potatoes are covered with earth.
In addition to the traditional method, other planting options are gaining popularity. One of them is to spread the tubers over the bed and cover them with a thick layer of straw. As the bushes grow, more straw is added. The advantages of this method are the quality of root crops and ease of harvesting. However, potatoes can suffer from lack of moisture and become food for rodents.
Watering and fertilizing
The supply of moisture has a positive effect on the development of potatoes. The crop is not watered until buds form. Then the soil is kept moist. First you need to make sure that the soil is dry by 10 - 12 cm. Water the potatoes in the evening.The water requirement for one bush is 2 liters.
Potatoes are fed as needed. Organic matter and minerals are added when planting or digging the soil. Poor soils require additional fertilizing.
For culture, slurry, herbal infusion, urea solution or ammonium nitrate are used. Fertilizers contain nitrogen, which promotes the growth of green mass. This feeding is carried out in June. After 3 - 4 weeks, superphosphate or wood ash is added to the soil.
Loosening and weeding
To successfully grow potatoes, it is important to periodically weed and loosen the soil. As they appear, weeds are removed from the soil. It is convenient to carry out the procedure with a rake.
The first loosening is carried out before the emergence of shoots. Subsequently, the soil is loosened after rain or watering. It is important to prevent a crust from forming on the surface of the earth. As a result, air exchange in the soil improves, plants better absorb moisture and nutrients.
Hilling
Hilling is another mandatory step in crop care. Processing stimulates the emergence of new stolons on which the crop is formed. When hilling, soil from the row spacing is raked under the base of the bush.
Potatoes are hilled twice during the season. The first time is when the bushes reach 15 - 20 cm in height. The next one is 3 weeks before flowering begins. Hilling is carried out after watering or rain.
Diseases and pests
The Kiwi potato variety has increased resistance to diseases and pests. Plants are not susceptible to late blight, rot, fomosis, and fusarium wilt.Good disease prevention is compliance with agricultural technology and planting dates. The selection of healthy tubers and their treatment before sowing is also important.
Kiwi potatoes are rarely affected by wireworms and Colorado potato beetles. Insects cannot lay eggs on rough leaves. Therefore, pests choose smoother surfaces. The leaves of the Kiwi variety also contain biofiber. This is a protein that insects cannot digest.
Potato yield
The yield of Kiwi potatoes largely depends on weather conditions and soil quality. When planting 1 kg of tubers, up to 20 kg of root crops are obtained. In rainy and cold summers, the yield decreases to 10 kg.
According to the description of the variety, Kiwi potatoes produce 3 - 4 kg of tubers from one bush. Up to 600 kg of crops are harvested from one hundred square meters of plantings.
Harvesting and storage
Kiwi potatoes are ready for harvesting at a later date. However, many gardeners begin digging up tubers in mid-summer for personal use. Harvesting begins when the plants' tops turn yellow and dry out. First, dig up 1 - 2 bushes and check whether the tubers are ripe.
2 weeks before harvesting, it is recommended to mow the tops and leave no more than 10 cm above the ground from the bush. This will help get rid of pests that live in potato leaves. The culture is harvested on a clear day. Use a pitchfork, shovel or walk-behind tractor. The dug up tubers are left on the field until the end of the day. When the root crops dry out a little, they are collected in boxes.
For the first 2 weeks after harvesting, potatoes are stored in a dry and dark place. During this time, the skin will become denser and possible diseases will appear.You can leave the harvest in boxes or scatter it on the floor. It is sorted before being stored. Damaged or diseased tubers are thrown away. The harvest is divided into groups: for consumption and for planting next year.
Kiwi potatoes have a long shelf life. Root vegetables are kept in a dark, dry place with good ventilation. It is convenient to store the harvest in wooden boxes or on pallets. The temperature in the room should not exceed +2 °C and humidity up to 90%. In room conditions, the crop can be stored for no more than 3 months.
Conclusion
Characteristics of the Kiwi potato variety and reviews will help gardeners learn more about this hybrid. To grow it, it is important to choose a suitable place, prepare the soil and planting material. During the growing season, the plantings require minimal care: watering during drought, hilling and loosening the soil.
Reviews about the Kiwi potato variety
