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Potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety are a crop of Russian selection. Included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 2011. Approved for use in the North-Western and Far Eastern regions. Tubers of high commercial quality are well suited for cultivation on private farms, as well as for subsequent sale.
Description of the potato variety Lilac Fog
Potatoes Lilac fog of medium ripening period. The period from germination to technical ripeness takes 90-110 days. The potato bush of the Lilac Fog variety grows moderately spreading, 50-60 cm high. The leaves are large, green, with slightly wavy edges. The corolla is large. The color of the flower is purple.
Tubers of the Lilac Fog variety are oval-round in shape with red skin and small eyes. The surface and color are even. The pulp is light yellow. The weight of one potato is from 90 to 159 g. The variety has high marketability - 94% and keeping quality - 98%.It does not germinate for a long time when stored. 7-10 potatoes appear on the bush. Preserves the qualities of the variety during long-term planting of its own seed material.
Taste qualities of Lilac Fog potatoes
In the characteristics of the Lilac Fog potato it is written that the starch content in the tubers is 14.4-17.2%. Which means moderate digestibility while retaining its shape. The purpose of potatoes is table food. The taste is good. Suitable for various types of culinary preparation. During heat treatment it does not change color or darken. Flavor may vary depending on growing conditions.
Pros and cons of the variety
The main advantage of the variety is that it does not degenerate for a long time, unlike other varieties. Lilac Mist potatoes can be grown continuously for about 8-9 years.
Other advantages of the Lilac Fog potato variety:
- average ripening time;
- good taste;
- excellent keeping quality, in which sprouts do not appear for a long time;
- resistance to certain diseases;
- high marketability of tubers;
- low risk of damage during excavation;
- good transport qualities.
The disadvantages of the Lilac Fog variety include not the highest yield and poor tolerance of elevated air temperatures.
Planting and caring for Lilac Fog potatoes
Growing tubers of the Lilac Fog variety requires standard agricultural technology. To obtain a high yield when planting, it is necessary to observe crop rotation. It is best to plant the crop in areas where green manure and crops such as zucchini, legumes and onions previously grew. Potatoes are returned to their original place only after 3 years.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
For planting potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety, choose dry, level areas.Preferred soil compositions are loose, sandy loam. Air permeability of the soil is necessary for high-quality tuber formation.
During one growing season, potatoes take many useful substances from the soil, so they must be grown on rested and fertile soils. The soil for planting needs to be deoxidized. It is recommended to plant from north to south, for uniform access of light to all plants.
Preparation of planting material
Seed potatoes are harvested after harvest in the fall. The selected seed is greened in the light for 2 weeks before storing. Green tubers are less susceptible to disease and damage by rodents during storage. Seed material must be stored in cool rooms so that it does not germinate prematurely.
Medium-sized tubers are chosen for germination; the greater the number of eyes they have, the better for yield. But whether to cut Lilac Fog potatoes for planting or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves.
For proper preparation ahead of the planting season, tubers taken from storage must have dormant buds. For germination, they are taken out 3 weeks before planting. There is no need to remove the tubers prematurely; sprouts of about 1 cm are enough for planting. Planting seed tubers with overgrown, thread-like, long sprouts greatly reduces the yield.
Planting potatoes are germinated in the light. In the first week - at a temperature of +18... +20°C. Over the next 2 weeks, the temperature is reduced to +10... +15°C, transferring the potatoes to a dark place. In this case, powerful, bright and healthy shoots appear.
A few hours before planting, the tubers are treated with preparations with an insecto-fungicidal effect. The treatment provides comprehensive protection of tubers from pests and diseases. After spraying, the seed must be dried. With tuber treatment, there is no need to spray the bush, as well as collecting beetles.
Landing rules
Planting of potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety begins in May. Depending on the growing region, the guideline for planting is the readiness of the soil. It must be mature and warmed up to the planting depth. Typically, the soil warms up to the required temperature after a constant air temperature has been established above +10°C.
The maturity of the soil is determined by the compression of the earthen clod, while it should form and, when falling, break into small and large fractions. This shows that the soil has the right amount of moisture.
Fertilizers are applied during general plowing of the field or directly when planting in a hole. For this purpose, mineral fertilizer complexes and natural nutrients are used. Mustard cake, fish meal or bokashi can replace the effect of manure or humus. When applying mineral fertilizers, they are scattered from below or above the planting, but so that the tuber does not come into direct contact with them. Natural elements are mixed with the soil.
When planting, the tubers are buried 7-8 cm. Potatoes love warm soil. Therefore, deep planting will give a small harvest with a large volume of tops.Potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety require sufficient areas for nutrition and heating, so the distance in the row between the holes is kept at 40 cm, and between the rows - 70-80 cm. In this case, a linear or checkerboard layout is used. Good ventilation of bushes reduces the risk of late blight.
Watering and fertilizing
Potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety are demanding when it comes to watering; on dry soils, the yield is reduced. Regular watering improves the absorption of nutrients, potatoes have good growth, an even shape, and their taste improves. One of the best irrigations for potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety is considered to be drip and in-furrow irrigation.
The plantings are not watered until the shoots appear. For this phase of growth, there is enough moisture in the seed, and the lack of watering provokes the correct development of the root system. After green shoots appear, the plants are watered at the rate of 2-3 liters per bush.
Watering can only be done in the evening or in cloudy weather. On a sunny day, watering provokes the evaporation of moisture, which causes burns of foliage and provides an environment for the occurrence of diseases.
Water the potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety as the soil dries with heated water. In hot weather, water 1 time per week, in moderate weather - 1 time every 2 weeks. Stop watering several weeks before harvesting.
The need for added microelements depends on the soil on which Lilac Fog potatoes are grown. To grow, the culture needs:
- 100 g potassium;
- 50 g nitrogen;
- 30 g phosphorus.
Ash is used separately from nitrogen fertilizers, because this compound neutralizes the effect of nitrogen. The interval between adding elements should be a month.
Organic fertilizer such as manure is used only when rotted to avoid the formation of various tuber rot and scab.
If germination is poor, infusions of bird droppings and herbs are used. Before flowering begins, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers without chlorine are applied.
Loosening and weeding
Loosening and weeding are necessary for the crop for better air supply to the tubers. The first loosening is carried out already on the 5th day after planting. Harrowing helps to destroy the soil crust that forms after watering or rain.
Loosening is often combined with weeding, removing or cutting weeds with a hand cultivator. Loosening and weeding, as well as hilling, can be replaced by growing potatoes in a layer of mulch. But this requires a lot of grass cuttings.
Hilling
The first hilling of potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety is carried out when the above-ground part has germinated 5-7 cm. The earth is raked under the bush so that 2-3 cm of vegetative mass remains. Hilling is required so that additional stolons are formed, on which new tubers are formed. Hilling with the formation of a high ridge allows you to maintain a temperature suitable for cultivation and reduces the number of weeds.
The second hilling is carried out 2 weeks after the first, when the bushes reach 20-25 cm in height. Correct and timely hilling gives a 20-30% increase in yield.
Diseases and pests
A variety of potato pests can destroy and damage all parts of the plant. The vegetative mass is harmed by Colorado leaf beetles, various caterpillars, and cutworms.Tubers are damaged by wireworms, nematodes, and mole crickets.
Weak plants growing in depleted soils are more susceptible to attack by insect pests. Prevention involves preparing the soil and dressing the tubers before planting.
According to the originator of the variety, the crop is resistant to the following diseases:
- potato cancer;
- leaf curling.
Moderately resistant to:
- wrinkled and striped mosaic;
- late blight.
Plants are susceptible to golden potato cyst nematode.
Potato yield
Potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety can form large tubers, their number depends on the distance between the bushes. When planted close together, more tubers are formed, but smaller in size and vice versa. On average, their number reaches 4.5-5 kg per square meter. m. The amount of harvest is also affected by the regularity of watering and the condition of the soil.
Harvesting and storage
Potato varieties of the Lilac Fog variety are harvested 3 months after emergence. Some time before digging, the tops are cut off. After harvesting the tops, root crops are not left in the soil for more than 3 weeks. After harvesting, the tubers are dried and the seed material is selected. Store in rooms with a constant positive temperature not higher than +5°C.
Conclusion
Potatoes of the Lilac Fog variety are suitable for growing in personal and small farms. The culture does not degenerate for a long time within 8-9 years. Smooth, marketable tubers are stored well. According to the description, reviews and photos, the Lilac Fog potato variety is a table variety, so the fruits are suitable for various culinary processing.
