Content
Leeks are gaining popularity in gardens and farms. One of the most popular varieties is the Carantan onion, which produces high yields and is adapted to various climatic conditions. The variety has a piquant taste and ripens late.
Features of the variety
Leeks are a herbaceous garden crop that grows up to 40 cm in height. After planting, the plant forms a root system and a false bulb. The aerial part consists of green feathers arranged in a fan.
In the second year, the leek grows a peduncle with pinkish flowers collected in inflorescences. The seeds are collected in August. Planting material remains viable for 2 years.
Description of Carantan leek:
- late maturation;
- the period from the appearance of sprouts to harvesting is 130-180 days;
- height 30-50 cm;
- cylindrical false bulb shape;
- the white part of the bulb is from 10 to 25 cm long, 4 cm in diameter;
- powerful green feathers with a waxy coating;
- delicate semi-sharp taste;
- plant weight from 200 to 350 g;
- high frost resistance;
- yield up to 5 kg per 1 m2.
Onion of the Karantansky variety is a dietary product. It is used fresh and added to homemade preparations for the winter. Onions retain their properties when frozen.
The culture is rich in vitamins and minerals, improves the functioning of the digestive system and gall bladder. The Karantansky variety has low calorie content, which allows it to be used in the diet.
Fresh leeks are used with caution for diseases of the duodenum and stomach, kidneys, bladder, and the presence of kidney stones.
Growing from seeds
Onions of the Karantansky variety are grown by seed. In the middle zone and northern regions, seeds are planted at home and seedlings are obtained, which are transferred to the beds. In the southern regions, onions are planted directly in open ground.
Planting onions
To speed up the ripening process, Carantan onions are grown in seedlings. At home, seeds are planted in March. For this, light fertile soil is prepared. It is obtained by combining turf and fertile soil.
It is recommended to steam the soil in a water bath to get rid of pathogens. Another way to disinfect the soil is cold treatment. The substrate is kept in the refrigerator or outside at sub-zero temperatures for several months.
Pre-treatment can improve the germination of seeds of the Karantansky variety. First, the material is kept for 12 hours in warm water. It is best to use a thermos to maintain a constant water temperature. Then the seeds are washed with cold water and dried.
The soil is poured into containers, compacted and watered.Furrows 2 cm deep are made on the surface of the soil. Leek seeds are placed every 3 cm and covered with soil.
When grown from seeds, Caranta leek sprouts at a temperature of +7 °C. It is important to keep the soil moist until growth forms. The first shoots will appear in 10 days.
Seedling care
Carantan onion seedlings require certain conditions:
- access to fresh air;
- soil moisture;
- bright diffused light for 10 hours;
- daytime temperature 18-20 °C;
- temperature at night is about 13 °C.
To water leeks, use warm, settled water. It is best to spray the Karantansky variety plantings from a spray bottle. When daylight hours are short, additional lighting must be installed.
The root system of leeks is protected from hypothermia. Foam plastic or drywall is placed under the containers with plantings. Seedlings of the Karantansky variety should not suffer from drafts and direct exposure to the sun. The seedlings are thinned out so that they do not interfere with each other.
6 weeks after the sprouts appear, they begin to harden the Carantan onion. Plantings are placed on a balcony or loggia. Under the influence of fresh air, the crop will quickly adapt to natural conditions.
Planting in open ground
Transfer to open areas leek seedlings Carantansky at the age of 50-60 days. Pre-select a place for planting and prepare the soil. Work is carried out in the spring after the soil has warmed up. Pre-winter planting is allowed to obtain early greenery.
Selecting a location
An open sunny area, away from bushes and buildings, is suitable for planting Karantansky leeks. The culture prefers fertile neutral soils.Onions grow best in loamy soils fertilized with organic matter.
In the fall, dig up the area and add 2 tbsp. l. complex fertilizer Nitrophoska per 1 m2 and a bucket of humus. Lime is added to highly acidic soil.
Work order
To plant Karantansky leeks, choose a cloudy, warm day. Work is carried out according to the order:
- Furrows are made in the garden bed 5 cm deep. 30 cm are left between them.
- The onion is taken out of the container, the roots are cut to 4 cm and transferred to the furrows.
- Leave 15 cm between seedlings.
- The bulbs are covered with soil and watered.
Winter landing
According to the description, the Carantan leek is suitable for planting before winter. The site is prepared in the summer, fertilized with rotted manure or compost.
In November, the seeds are planted in furrows 8 cm deep. Work is carried out when cool weather sets in. With warming, the seeds of the Karantansky variety will germinate, and the seedlings will die when severe cold occurs.
Plantings are mulched with humus or peat. When snow falls, you need to additionally fill the beds with it. High snow cover takes longer to melt, which will protect the Carantan onion from spring frosts.
Leek care
The Karantansky variety requires a regular supply of moisture. To obtain a high yield, the crop is fed with organic matter or minerals. Additionally, the plantings are treated against pests and diseases.
Watering
For 3 days after planting, Caranta leeks are not watered. Then at 1 m2 add 10-15 liters of water. It is first settled in barrels.
It is important not to allow water to stagnate in the beds.When watering, the drops should not come into contact with the feathers of the Carantan onion.
After watering, be sure to loosen the soil to speed up the absorption of moisture and nutrients. Weeds are weeded promptly.
The stems of the Karantansky onion are hilled three times a season to form a large white “leg”. You can sprinkle a mulch layer of dry manure or dried grass on the beds.
Top dressing
Every 2 weeks, Carantan leeks are fed with organic matter or mineral fertilizers. The first treatment is carried out 3 weeks after transfer to the ground.
Options for feeding leeks:
- a solution of 5 g of urea and 3 g of potassium sulfate per 5 liters of water;
- infusion of chicken manure 1:15;
- mullein solution in a ratio of 1:10.
The resulting solutions are used immediately after preparation. For processing, choose a cloudy day, morning or evening hours.
A universal way to feed Karantansky onions is wood ash. It is introduced into the soil during loosening. At 1 m2 plot take 1 glass of ash.
Disease and pest control
If agricultural practices are followed, the risk of diseases and pests is minimal. To prevent and combat them, folk remedies and chemicals are used.
The Karantansky variety rarely suffers from diseases, but excess moisture provokes fungal diseases. Under the influence of the fungus, the onion is destroyed and the onion stems wither. To protect plantings, you need to treat seeds and adult plants with a solution of the drug Fitosporin.
The main pest of the crop is the onion fly.In mid-May, the insect lays eggs in the soil, and after a few days the larvae begin to eat the core of the leek. To treat the area, use wood ash or tobacco dust, which is sprayed over the onion. The pest is repelled by dry ground pepper.
Cleaning and storage
When grown from seeds, Caranta leek clean up from August to October. Onions are dug up in dry weather until the temperature drops below -5 °C. Plants are left near the bed to dry. Leeks are cleared of lumps of earth, the roots are trimmed. The feathers are not removed to prevent the onion from drying out.
The leek harvest is stored in boxes, into which 5 cm of moistened coarse sand is poured. The bulbs are placed in a vertical position, sand is poured between them.
The Karantansky variety is stored at zero temperature and 85% humidity. The onions are left in the greenhouse, transferred to the basement, cellar or balcony. The variety is kept in the refrigerator in batches of 8 pieces. in perforated plastic bags. In such conditions, the shelf life of onions is 5-6 months.
If you leave the onion in the garden, then next year the plant will produce arrows with seeds. They are collected in the fall and used for planting.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Caranta leeks are grown from seeds, which are planted at home or directly in open ground. A more reliable way is to obtain onion seedlings. The crop requires abundant watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing.
The variety is attractive for its good taste, which is preserved fresh and after processing. Leeks are rich in minerals and vitamins, useful for vitamin deficiency, exhaustion, and overwork.
