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Everyone who grows their own vegetables tries to select crop varieties according to their ripening time. This technique provides gardeners with fresh produce all season long. Early vegetables serve to replenish nutrients in early spring, when the body has already used up its reserves. Early Zhukovsky potatoes are a high-yielding variety bred by Russian breeders.
The scientists' task was to develop potatoes that, despite the early ripening period, had excellent taste, did not become overcooked and were resistant to extreme conditions. After all early varieties are in special demand. New potatoes are loved for their unique taste and nutritional properties. And although such a product is seasonal, this does not stop gardeners from searching for new varieties of early potatoes. Despite their short shelf life, early potatoes are considered a valuable supplier of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the Zhukovsky variety became a real victory for breeders.
Distinctive features of the variety
The Zhukovsky potato variety is quite well known.
This is one of the early ripening varieties, with a guaranteed yield on soils of different compositions and with a wide variation in climatic conditions. After the first shoots appear, only two months pass, and you can enjoy the first root vegetables.Among the main distinctive characteristics of Zhukovsky potatoes are:
- Neat, beautiful appearance of tubers. The peel on them is pink, smooth, absolutely even and thin. Sometimes you can find potatoes of the Zhukovsky variety with a rich red color. Each tuber weighs at least 165 g and has a very harmonious, round-oval shape; when cooked, it retains a dense consistency (does not become mushy). The eyes are small, few in number, red in color, located over the entire surface. The pulp of the tubers is white and does not darken when cut. Potatoes are resistant to damage, and their presentation is preserved during long-term transportation.
- Bush structure. The plant is semi-spreading and medium in height. Bush with few strongly branched stems. The leaf mass is dark green with large leaves. The leaves are large with well-developed veins, dissected. The Zhukovsky potato blooms briefly and profusely. The flowers are red-violet with white tips. The inflorescences are compact and elegant. Does not produce fruits.
- Nutritional value. The early potato variety Zhukovsky contains up to 15% starch, a whole range of vitamins, bioflavonoids, organic acids and fiber. Zhukovsky potato tubers can be considered a complete source of protein and minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium). The calorie content is quite low, contains virtually no fat and cholesterol.
- Productivity. This indicator is distinguished by the stability and quality of potatoes harvested per unit area. For farms or organizations it is up to 600 c/ha. In private plantings, the yield is measured by the number of tubers obtained from one bush.The Zhukovsky variety allows you to collect more than 10 tubers from one plant.
- Disease resistance and potato pests. The most common are cancer, scab, rhizoctonia, nematode. Early potato Zhukovsky perfectly resists these formidable dangers. It is slightly less resistant to late blight, Alternaria, and viral diseases, but to a sufficient extent to preserve the harvest.
- Unpretentiousness. The Zhukovsky potato, a description of which can be found in specialized literature, differs from other varieties in its excellent resistance to drought and low temperatures. This is a valuable quality of early potatoes, because they are planted during periods of unstable weather. And irregular irrigation will not lead to crop loss.
- Storage capacity. This characteristic is valued in potatoes of any ripening period, but for early varieties it is considered very important. Getting an early harvest and preserving it longer is the dream of any gardener. And with Zhukovsky potatoes this is possible for 8 months. Naturally, subject to storage conditions. In addition, Zhukovsky early resists mechanical damage well. Therefore, you should not be afraid that a small scratch will cause the death of the root crop.
The list of advantages of Zhukovsky early potatoes is quite impressive. Growing this variety is a pleasure. But it is better to familiarize yourself with the nuances of agricultural technology before planting.
Getting ready to disembark
Seed potatoes are prepared for cultivation. The tubers must be sorted and germinated. When sorting, soft, damaged, very small (less than 80g) root vegetables are removed. You should not cut the tubers to increase the amount of seed material.The characteristics of the Zhukovsky variety can be significantly reduced or even lost.
Then the seed tubers are placed for germination. To do this, use boxes, bags, or simply lay the tubers in bulk under the film. They provide temperatures in the range of +4° - +20° and diffuse lighting. This can be achieved by covering the potatoes with a white cloth, paper, or newspapers. When germinating indoors, you will have to add turning and moistening the Zhukovsky potatoes. Simultaneously with moistening, disinfection is carried out using ordinary potassium permanganate. Tubers are disinfected at least once a week.
Treated against pests and diseases. For this purpose, chemical disinfectants are used that repel parasites and protect Zhukovsky from diseases.
The quality of germination can be monitored by the appearance of sprouts. If sprouts of about 1 cm appear on the tubers, then we can assume that everything was done correctly.
When planting manually in a small area, the ripening period of the Zhukovsky variety can be shortened. To do this, just place the tubers in peat, or wet sawdust. In such conditions, the root system develops faster. Another way is to cover the plantings with ordinary agrofibre, which protects young plants from frost.
A week before planting Zhukovsky potatoes, they dig up the soil. It is best if it is a well-lit area. The composition of the soil is not particularly important, but planting the Zhukovsky variety in one place for several seasons in a row is highly not recommended.
Features of care and harvesting
Growing early Zhukovsky potatoes will not force you to sit through agronomy textbooks. It is enough to carry out the basic stages of care for the variety to reward you with a large harvest. The necessary measures remain:
- Weeding between rows and loosening the soil. Start as necessary immediately after planting Zhukovsky seed potatoes. To weeds did not kill the seedlings, it is necessary to remove them in time. Loosening improves soil breathability and promotes better plant development.
- Comprehensive pest control. Parasites such as Colorado beetle and mole crickets are capable of causing great damage to potato beds. The Zhukovsky variety is not immune to these insects, so measures will have to be taken to repel or destroy them.
- Watering. The drought resistance of Zhukovsky early potatoes still does not relieve vegetable growers from watering. It can be carried out moderately, but in case of drought - at least 5 liters per linear meter of bed.
- Hilling. An important stage in caring for Zhukovsky potatoes. The tubers are protected from excess moisture, the root system is aerated. Hilling is carried out several times. Mandatory during the flowering period, then as needed. This procedure also keeps the bushes from falling apart.
Be sure to walk around the area in order to notice the first signs of diseases and plant damage in time. This technique allows you to control the regularity of watering, weeding, loosening and hilling.
The description of the Zhukovsky variety contains information that the potatoes are ready for harvesting after 60 days. At the end of July it is recommended to cut off the tops. The root crops are already formed, and this procedure will protect against late blight. Zhukovsky potatoes can be harvested mechanically.Its resistance to damage allows this. Store the tubers in a dark room at a temperature of +2 - +5 degrees.
It is recommended to maintain a given temperature range, otherwise it will be impossible to preserve the crop. After all, Zhukovsky is an early potato variety that usually cannot be stored for long periods of time.
You can achieve maximum productivity of the Zhukovsky variety in almost any region and on any soil. The main condition will be compliance with the recommendations.
Reviews
The best characteristic that distinguishes the Zhukovsky early potato variety is reviews from vegetable growers:
