When growing potatoes, gardeners try to choose varieties that have proven themselves best in a particular area. On different soils, even one potato variety behaves differently. First of all, the yield differs - the main characteristic of the crop. Therefore, choosing a variety without taking into account the soil structure and climatic features will be irrational.
Among the mid-late varieties, Merlot potatoes should be highlighted, a description of the properties of which is the purpose of our article.
Characteristics of the variety
Merlot potatoes are a mid-late variety of German selection. The growing season lasts from 95 to 115 days, so harvesting occurs no earlier than the end of September. The description of the Merlot potato variety should begin with the appearance and taste of the tubers. After all, this parameter is the most important for potato growers. No one wants to grow tasteless or ugly potatoes.
- Merlot potato tubers, according to reviews from summer residents, have an elongated oval shape and a beautiful dark red skin. The peel is uniform in color, slightly mesh. The tubers are very uniform and even in size. Slightly recessed eyes. The weight of the tubers ranges from 80 g to 140 g.
- The pulp is yellow. The variety is highly valued for its pulp resistance to darkening when cut. It is convenient for housewives to prepare potatoes for cooking in advance and not worry about their appearance.
- This is a table variety with wonderful taste. The boiliness of the tubers is average, which allows you to prepare dishes with whole potatoes. According to reviews from vegetable growers, the description of Merlot potatoes must include the ability of the tubers to retain color and aroma during the cooking process. Dishes made from this variety always have an amazing taste and smell.
- Sufficient starch content is another valuable characteristic of Merlot potatoes. Thanks to its percentage (15.5% - 16.2%), the tubers are ideal for any type of culinary processing.
But not only these indicators are important for potato growers. An important characteristic of the Merlot potato variety, which, according to reviews from summer residents, comes first - yield. The feasibility of planting a crop on the site depends on it. The variety is characterized by stable and high yield. According to the observations of farmers, it easily adapts to the soil and climatic characteristics of the region in which it is grown. With a good level of agricultural technology, more than 500 centners of tasty potatoes are harvested from one hectare.
The second important indicator is storage capacity. Mid-late varieties, including Merlot, store well. They ripen later than early varieties, so they can last for a long time.
The variety is also distinguished by its enviable resistance to diseases that plague gardeners. Among them are black leg, potato cancer, rhizoctonia, and golden potato nematode. Even to late blight there is moderate susceptibility.
This is where you can finish the description of the Merlot potato variety and look at the photo of the finished product.
To obtain all the listed characteristics of Merlot potatoes as a result, it is necessary to correctly carry out all the points of agricultural technology:
- preparing tubers for planting;
- landing;
- care during the growing season;
- harvesting.
Let's look at each stage in more detail.
Proper planting of varieties
As soon as the decision is made to plant Merlot potatoes on the plot, you need to immediately begin selecting the seed.
Select potatoes weighing at least 70 g for planting, otherwise the yield will be reduced. This is the weight of potatoes the size of a chicken egg. You can calculate the approximate amount of the harvest, taking into account that from 6 to 10 tubers ripen in one bush.
If you nevertheless decide to germinate the tubers, then this is done no later than 2 weeks before the scheduled planting date. And the planting date for Merlot potatoes is calculated not only according to the lunar calendar, but also monitors the warming of the soil. It is best to choose days when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm is at least +8°C.
When planting Merlot potatoes, the distance between tubers is maintained at least 35 cm, and between rows - 60 cm. If these figures are reduced, then it will be more difficult to properly earth up potato bushes.
The recommended planting depth for the Merlot variety ranges from 9 cm to 15 cm, depending on the type of soil. On heavy - 9 cm, on light - 12 cm, on peaty - 15 cm.
Now let's start the planting process.
First we select a site.It is important that the previous crop is not tomatoes or potatoes. Propagation of the crop by tubers leads to the fact that pathogenic microorganisms can accumulate in them. Another negative factor is damage to the leaf mass by the Colorado potato beetle, which causes weakening of the tubers. Therefore, we should not forget about periodically updating seed material and observing crop rotation.
Merlot potatoes should be planted in a well-lit place. Make sure that there are no tall trees nearby that will shade the plantings.
Choose a site so that it does not have acidic soil; potatoes do not like such soil. Before planting, be sure to dig the soil to a depth of 25-28 cm, and if the soil is heavy, then 20 cm will be enough.
Place the furrows from south to north.
When digging, add organic matter - mature compost, humus. For 1 sq. per meter of area, 4 kg of the substance with the addition of 30 g of nitroammophoska is enough.
Monitor the groundwater level. If they are located close to the surface, choose the ridge planting method.
And one more recommendation - before planting, soak the Merlot tubers for half an hour in a solution of Maxim preparations, copper oxychloride or Bordeaux mixture.
Rules of care
Start by loosening the row spacing that will be trampled at the time of planting. This will allow you to delete weeds even before the potato sprouts emerge.
The Merlot variety responds very well to proper watering and nutrition. It is these points that should be given the main attention. If you decide to hill up the bushes, then this procedure can be done before the plant begins to flower.At this time, the stem becomes coarser and stops forming stolons. You can limit yourself to mulching to protect the soil from excessive evaporation of moisture and overheating.
The degree and frequency of watering Merlot potatoes depends on soil moisture. Plants experience the greatest need for moisture during the tuber formation phase. This moment begins during the flowering period of the bush. If there is no rain at this time or it is very scarce, then additional watering is required. Usually the tops tell the gardener that watering is required. The leaves lose their elasticity and begin to wither. It is convenient to water in the furrows until the soil is moistened to a depth of 45-50 cm.
Feeding. During the season you will need to feed the Merlot potato bushes three times.
The first time this is done is during the period of active growth of potato tops. The need for such feeding is determined by the condition of the plants. If development is weak, then feed. If the bushes are powerful and healthy, then the first feeding can be skipped. For root nutrition, it is enough to prepare a composition of 1 teaspoon of urea, 1 tablespoon of “Effekton” and 10 liters of water. 0.5 liters of the composition are consumed per plant.
The second time Merlot potatoes need nutrition is during the bud formation phase. For 10 liters of clean water, take 1 glass of wood ash and 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate. This composition stimulates the formation of flowers.
The third time the potatoes are fed to stimulate tuber formation. It is carried out at the moment of flowering, and for the composition, take 1 tablespoon of superphosphate and “Effecton”, dilute it in a bucket of water. Spend 0.5 liters per plant.
Such nutrition is problematic to implement over large areas.In this case, fertilizing with dry fertilizers will help.
Reviews
Reviews from gardeners and photos will help complete the description of the Merlot potato variety.
