Content
The yellow-fruited potato variety Kolobok has attracted Russian farmers and gardeners with its high yield and excellent taste. Description of the variety and reviews characterize the Kolobok potato as a mid-season variety with excellent taste characteristics.
The Kolobok potato was obtained by Russian breeders and has been listed in the State Register since 2005 as a variety recommended for industrial production in almost any region of the country. But the Central Black Earth region is especially preferable for cultivation.
Characteristics of the variety
The Kolobok potato variety is distinguished by a semi-erect bush of medium height with small light green leaves. Wonderful clusters of white flowers decorate the bush.
Kolobok potato tubers stand out:
- round-oval shape without irregularities and tubercles;
- rough skin with a yellow tint;
- a small number of shallow, inconspicuous ocelli;
- yellowish pulp on the cut of the tuber;
- low starch content - up to 11-13%;
- good keeping quality;
- high resistance to many diseases;
- unpretentiousness in care;
- versatility in use;
- excellent presentation;
- good transportability.
Each bush of the Kolobok variety can produce up to 15-18 tubers weighing from 90 to 140 g.
The variety’s high yield is also attractive – up to 25 t/ha. Unlike other varieties, the Kolobok potato does not degenerate and does not reduce yield when planted for many years.
Potato Kolobok, as follows from the description of the variety, photos and reviews, demonstrates high culinary qualities:
- it boils well and quickly, maintaining its shape;
- does not darken during cooking and retains color;
- contains a large amount of proteins and carotene;
- has a pleasant, fragrant taste;
- perfect for making potato products - chips, fries, mixtures with vegetables;
- can be used in dietary nutrition.
Minor disadvantages that do not detract from the advantages of the Kolobok variety include:
- sensitivity to watering and fertilizing;
- Thick skin making peeling difficult.
Landing rules
The area for planting Kolobok potatoes must be prepared in the fall - deeply dug up and fertilized. In the spring, it will be enough to shallowly plow the area and clear it of weed with the simultaneous addition of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Following simple rules will help speed up the ripening of Kolobok potatoes:
- the soil should warm up to +8 degrees to the planting depth, which is 10-12 cm, usually this period falls in the first half of May;
- In order for the eyes to begin to germinate, the soil must be moist, but excess moisture can damage the plants;
- arrange the plantings in the north-south direction to provide the bushes with good lighting;
- if groundwater rises close to the surface, seeds should be planted in high beds;
- the gap between the rows should provide easy care and be at least 60 cm, and between the holes - 30-35 cm, depending on the size of the tubers;
- a handful of wood ash and the same amount of humus or compost should be added to each hole;
- they can be replaced with complex fertilizers at the rate of 20 g per hole.
Preparation of planting material
The Kolobok potato variety adapts well to different soils, although light soils are preferable. Not very demanding to care for. However, there are certain features that should be taken into account when growing it. For planting, you need to select high-quality, medium-sized tubers that are not damaged. Otherwise, they will have extremely weak resistance to external factors:
- weather conditions;
- pests or diseases;
- soil characteristics.
Pre-selected healthy seed material of the Kolobok variety is germinated in the light up to 2-3 cm before planting. Many additionally treat the tubers with products such as Albit. Such treatment will accelerate the development of plants and protect them from pests and diseases.
Features of care
The first hilling of the Kolobok potato variety, judging by the description and photo, is carried out when the bushes grow to 25 cm. After 2-3 weeks, the next hilling is carried out. During this period, abundant watering is necessary, as the formation of ovaries occurs. During the dry season, sprinkling of tops is useful. After flowering, excessive watering of potatoes is harmful; it can lead to late blight infection.To prevent it, you can treat the bushes with Polyram.
During the season, Kolobok potatoes need to be fed 2-3 times with potassium compounds in combination with mullein or droppings. During this period, nitrogen fertilizers are undesirable, as they will lead to the growth of green mass to the detriment of the fruits. To prevent the soil from drying out, hilling and mulching are used.
Disease and pest control
Despite the high resistance of the Kolobok potato to common potato diseases, it is necessary to periodically carry out preventive treatments of the bushes. It is recommended to treat plantings twice a day with preparations containing copper. A good preventative measure is to change the site for the potato plantation. It is useful to choose for planting potatoes beds in which radish or cabbage grew.
The most common pests of potatoes are aphids and the Colorado potato beetle. The wireworm damages the tubers by making tunnels in them. Reviews recommend using insecticides against pests of the Kolobok potato variety when treating bushes and soil. Special preparations are used against the Colorado potato beetle. Products such as Bitiplex will help prevent the appearance of Colorado potato beetles. When using chemicals, you must carefully read the instructions and act in accordance with them. If the potato plantation is small, then collecting beetle larvae is an effective and environmentally friendly way.
Potato storage
In the summer you can partially dig up the potatoes, but they fully ripen around mid-September. A sign of its maturation is the drying of the stems. Before harvesting, for convenience, cut off all the tops. The harvested crop is sorted and laid out under a canopy to dry.For the seed fund of the Kolobok variety, even, healthy tubers are selected and, after drying, placed in separate storage.
At home, Kolobok potatoes can be stored: in a basement or cellar, closet or pantry, in any dark, unheated room.
Dried and sorted potatoes are placed in wooden boxes, pre-treated with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. The room must have a ventilation system to prevent:
- dampness;
- air stagnation;
- the appearance of mold.
The storage area for potatoes should also be equipped with good thermal insulation to effectively protect potatoes from low temperatures in winter and high temperatures in summer. Polystyrene foam is often used as a heat-insulating material. A high degree of waterproofing is provided by roofing felt.
Reviews from manufacturers and gardeners
Conclusion
Potato Kolobok has excellent characteristics as an excellent mid-season variety with high yield. If you follow simple care rules, it will provide tasty, smooth tubers, which makes it popular among farmers.
