Content
Not everyone has seen carrots with round fruits, but you can not only look at them, but also grow them yourself and taste them. These amazing fruits are extremely tasty, they will decorate any table, and will also be accepted with pleasure even by those children who categorically refuse to eat this healthy root vegetable.
Short description
“Orange radish” is what some children call it. However, seeing such carrots in the picture, some summer residents will think that:
- she won't be able to grow up like this;
- it was created by masters of genetic engineering.
These are all common misconceptions. Such carrots have been known for a very long time; even at the beginning of the last century they were found in the beds of some foreign villages and towns. Of course, we now owe a lot to breeders for developing new varieties designed for our growing conditions, to increase yields and provide resistance to some dangerous viruses and diseases. Most of the hybrids and varieties that you find on the shelves of gardening stores today were grown by breeders.
As a rule, all varieties of round carrots early ripening, taste quality is high.Of course, it cannot be stored for a long time, since it is grown directly for fresh consumption.
Historical reference
The most famous round carrot varieties from the past, which are no longer grown today, are “Grelo” (Germany), “Khibinskaya greenhouse” (Russia), and Davanture (France). They were planted in closed ground. The seedlings were afraid of the cold, so if they were planted in open ground, it was only after the soil had warmed up to +15 degrees Celsius.
But with excess nitrogen content, the growth of the root crop stops and the tops begin to grow. Even long varieties of carrots can become round and unsightly.
Russian breeders have developed several varieties of round or almost round carrots based on the Karotel variety, which has gained wide popularity.
Varieties of round carrots
Since orange cylindrical carrots are very popular in Russia, one cannot help but notice that any varieties of unusual shape or color are purchased with some caution. Most often, summer residents express their doubts about the ease of cultivation and yield. Let's talk about everything in more detail, looking at several varieties and hybrids. Among the most popular today:
- "Parisian";
- "Paris Market"
- "Rondo";
- "Polar Cranberry";
- "Parmex";
- "Round Baby";
- "Granddaughter".
Let's look at each of them in detail to find out whether it is profitable to grow such root crops or whether the summer resident should be guided only by his own interests.
"Granddaughter"
Round carrots of the “Granddaughter” variety have been known not so long ago. It has excellent taste: juiciness, density of pulp.The fruits are round in shape and their skin is quite smooth. The root crop of this shape is quite small and is grown for canning and fresh consumption. Children like it. Which is undoubtedly a plus: the fruits are even and resistant to blossoming.
Sometimes it seems that there is little benefit in such cultivation, but in canned form the root vegetable looks very impressive. If the hostess wants to surprise her guests, this variety is ideal. Ripening is early, 80-90 days are enough. Ideal for open ground, standard growing conditions.
"Parmex"
This early-ripening variety is demanding not only for sun and loose soil, but also for relative “freedom” in the beds.
The round fruit is tender and good for frying, as it lacks sufficient moisture. In general, the purpose of this carrot variety is universal. It can be fried, canned, eaten fresh, or used for juices and purees. Of all the varieties that will be presented today, this variety is less sweet. Sometimes this is important for those for whom sugar is harmful. Ripens in 100 days and is demanding of sun and loose soil.
"Rondo"
The bright orange fruits will please everyone who tries them for the first time. The color indicates that the composition contains a large amount of carotene. Round varieties of carrots can rightfully bear the title of the most useful, since the content of vitamins in each of them is very high.
The fruits are small, like all the others. They reach only 3-5 centimeters in diameter, and when ripe the shoots are uniform and the fruits are aligned. The hybrid itself was bred by Czech breeders and is ideal for open ground. Sowing is carried out as standard, in April and May, depending on the weather conditions of the region.Resistant to bolting, 85 days pass from the appearance of the first shoots to technical maturity. This is enough to plant these round carrots in central Russia.
"Parizhskaya"
Round varieties of carrots do not differ in size. Perhaps the breeders did not set themselves the goal of creating new products to increase productivity. Other aspects play a role here: creating an interesting variety of carrots that would decorate any table. “Parizhskaya” is just as small, its diameter does not exceed 5 centimeters.
It is often called “Parisian round”; it grows well both on light loose soils and on heavy ones in conditions that are absolutely not suitable for this crop. The thing is that the fruits do not need to grow downwards, as is typical for root vegetables, due to this they do not lose their shape. The variety is ultra-early ripening, ripening under optimal conditions occurs after 75-85 days. Carrots do not crack and are used both fresh and for processing.
"Round Baby"
This variety is often found under the name “Romeo baby”. In fact, they are both represented by the same plant: small, round carrots. In the West, such fruits are usually called children's fruits, hence the name. It is offered for breakfast to the younger generation in the family. As a rule, all small carrots are juicy and sweet.
The skin of this root vegetable is not smooth, has tubercles, carrots are unpretentious in cultivation and can ripen even in heavy soils. The texture of the pulp is tender. Ripens very quickly and does not crack.
This is an imported hybrid and is not found in our stores. However, it is often ordered from online stores.
"Paris Market"
A variety of Dutch selection that is demanding on warmth and loose soil.You can try to grow such round carrots in more severe conditions, while properly caring for them. The skin of this root vegetable is smooth, the flesh is very tender, and is colored bright orange.
The fruits of this variety reach a diameter of only 3-4 centimeters, ripen in a short period (only 75 days to technical maturity), and are resistant to a large number of standard diseases. Does not crack, has a sweet taste, juicy. It can be planted in the ground in April-May in an area well lit by sunlight.
"Polar Cranberry"
One of the Russian varieties of round carrots, created specifically for the northern regions of Russia, where the summer is very short. Round carrots are small, so they ripen quickly. In addition, it can grow in difficult conditions in which other root crops of this species would grow unsightly. An ultra-early ripening carrot, “Polar Cranberry” ripens in just 65 days. Seeds are sown in the ground depending on the weather conditions of the region, from April to May. Don't worry, because you can harvest in July.
The planting pattern for this variety is standard. What is especially important for the Urals and Siberia: seeds germinate at a temperature of +3-4 degrees, which is considered extremely low temperatures for carrots. The pulp has a high content of carotene, which is why it is bright orange. It also contains a large amount of sugars. Carrot fruits will not last long, but they can be preserved entirely, used in salads, soups or for frying.
Conditions for growing early ripening varieties
Let's talk about growing. Let us pay attention to the precocity of small round carrots. She is not very picky about soil looseness, but loves sunny areas.Some varieties, as we have noticed, are quite suitable for growing in the north of the country, and this is very important.
Requirements for the mineral composition of the soil
Above we have already touched upon the topic of mineral fertilizers for carrots. She loves them very much. So, it is worth feeding in the following quantities:
- calcium - 4 grams;
- potassium - 5 grams;
- phosphorus - 1.3 grams;
- nitrogen - 3.2 grams.
Fertilizers are applied in advance based on the minimum amount of yield of the carrot variety that is planned to be grown. Don't overdo it with nitrogen. Also, you should not apply organic fertilizers, especially manure, because it makes the soil heavier, making the fruits ugly.
Requirements for watering carrots
This culture loves moisture and does not tolerate dryness. However, you need to be careful here, because excessive moisture will destroy the plant. Compliance with watering norms, especially in humid climates, is the key to a rich harvest.
Carrots grow deep, like all root vegetables. There, in the ground, she looks for moisture. If there is enough water and in excess on the surface, growth will stop. This does not apply to round varieties of carrots, but it is better not to risk it. At the stage of fruit formation, this is strictly prohibited. Don't forget about diseases and viruses.
Some more tips are presented in the video below:
Conclusion
Round varieties of carrots look great in a jar, if preserved, in whole salads, when fried and stewed, as well as in soups. The only disadvantage of such carrots is the yield. Due to its small size, in this parameter it will always be inferior to long varieties.
