Content
Belmondo potatoes are a new promising crop variety that has recently appeared on the market, but has already managed to make itself known. It is characterized by high and stable yields, excellent fruit taste, and increased resistance to adverse weather conditions. And reviews from gardeners who grew it fully confirm this. However, to achieve maximum performance of the species, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the originator for planting and further care.
Belmondo potatoes are table potatoes
History of appearance
Belmondo potatoes were obtained thanks to the efforts of German breeders, namely employees of the Solagro Seed Alliance, which specializes in the breeding and further sale of new types of crops. The goal was to obtain a variety that could maintain high productivity in different climatic zones. And the creators completely succeeded.
Belmondo potatoes are currently undergoing variety testing in Russia.And only after their completion can it be entered into the State Register.
Description of Belmondo seed potatoes
Belmondo potatoes differ from other types of crops in the appearance of bushes and tubers. In order to accurately determine compliance with the variety, it is necessary to study them.
Bush
Potatoes of the Belmondo variety are characterized by tall, spreading bushes, 60 cm high. Its shoots are strong, thickened, initially growing straight, but later slightly deviating to the side. Each bush produces 4-5 stems. Belmondo's leaf blades are large, dark green, closed to intermediate. Their edges are slightly wavy. The plates are wrinkled, their veins are weakly expressed. Belmondo potato shoots are densely leafy at the top and bare at the bottom.
The flowers of this variety are up to 1 cm in diameter. They are collected in inflorescences of 3-5 pieces. The corollas have a dark red or light purple hue.
The root system is powerful and well developed, which ensures high productivity. It includes many growth and stolon processes, allowing the bush to fully develop even in unfavorable years for the crop. 12-15 tubers are formed under each bush.
The yield of small fruits of the Belmondo variety is small
Tubers
This type of potato has oval, aligned tubers with sparse superficial eyes. Therefore, a small amount of waste remains during cleaning, and the process itself does not cause any particular difficulties. The average weight of potatoes is 100-120 g. The peel is thin, dense, and not susceptible to mechanical damage. The tubers have a uniform yellow tint and a smooth surface.
When you cut a Belmondo potato, you can see dense flesh that does not darken when exposed to air. It is yellow in color, and its intensity is maintained even during heat treatment. The starch content of Belmondo tubers is about 16%. The yield of marketable fruits for the variety is 92%.
Belmondo potatoes do not become soft during cooking
Characteristics of the potato variety Belmondo
To assess the productivity of a variety, you need to familiarize yourself with its characteristics. This information will also allow you to find out what conditions are considered optimal for the species.
Taste qualities of Belmondo potatoes
The taste of Belmondo potatoes is rated eight out of ten. According to its culinary type, it is classified as category AB.
Belmondo potatoes can be used for:
- boiling in its purified form and “uniform”;
- frying;
- baking;
- salads;
- first and second courses;
- fries.
Ripening time
This type of culture is considered mid-early. Its growing season from germination to tuber ripening is 70-80 days. When planting the variety in mid-May, fruit harvesting can be carried out in the first ten days of August.
Productivity
The Belmondo variety is high-yielding. From 1 hectare you can get 450-800 centners of marketable tubers. Since each bush produces 1.5-2 kg of harvest per season.
Where is it grown?
The variety is recommended for cultivation in the central and northern regions of the country. But it is also permissible to grow it in the southern regions with drip irrigation, since Belmondo potatoes do not tolerate drought well.
Disease resistance
The variety is resistant to late blight, common scab, black mold, rust, and rhizoctonia. If the growing conditions are inappropriate, it weakens and becomes susceptible to leaf curl, virus Y.
Advantages and disadvantages
Belmondo potatoes have many advantages, which contributes to the growth of its popularity among experienced and novice gardeners. However, it also has certain disadvantages that need to be taken into account when choosing it.
The shelf life of the variety is 97%
Main advantages:
- high stable yield;
- early ripening of the crop;
- excellent taste;
- versatility of application;
- presentation of the fruit;
- suitable for transportation and long-term storage;
- one-dimensionality and evenness of potatoes;
- versatility of application.
Flaws:
- susceptible to drought;
- demanding on soil composition and fertilizing;
- susceptible to leaf curl, virus Y.
How to plant
For high productivity of the Belmondo variety, it is necessary to plant correctly. But before this, it is recommended to prepare the site in advance in the fall. To do this, you need to dig it up, remove the weeds, add 10 kg of humus, 40 g of superphosphate and 25 g of potassium sulfur per square meter. m. Then in the spring, loosen the soil again.
Belmondo tubers also require preliminary preparation for planting. To do this, three weeks before the procedure, you need to bring them into a bright room with a temperature of +15 ° C and pour them out in one layer. Periodically, Belmondo seed potatoes need to be sprayed and turned. As a result, by the time of planting, sprouts about 1.5 cm long are formed on the tubers. It is not recommended to cut seed potatoes, as this leads to insufficient development of the bushes and reduces yield.
Care instructions
The Belmondo variety does not require complex care. However, in order for it to show maximum performance, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules of agricultural technology.
Ten days after planting, it is necessary to loosen the soil to a depth of 1.5 cm. This will speed up the germination of tubers and provide air access to them. In the future, potato plantings must be weeded regularly as the weeds grow until the bushes close.
The variety does not respond well to drought; in the absence of rain for a long time, it needs to be watered regularly. It is recommended to do the procedure in the evening, soaking the soil to a depth of 10 cm.
Belmondo potatoes need to be hilled three times. The first time to do this is when the stems are 18 cm long, and then ten days after the previous procedure.
Belmondo potatoes require regular feeding, which guarantees their high yield. It is recommended to fertilize it for the first time during the active growth of stems. At this stage, it is recommended to use nitroammophoska in a proportion of 30 g per 10 liters of water. The second and third feedings are recommended during the formation of buds and tuber ovaries. During these periods, you need to fertilize the bushes with 40 g of superphosphate and 25 g of potassium sulfide per bucket of water.
This potato variety requires treatment against the Colorado potato beetle.
When to collect and how to store
At the beginning of August, Belmondo potato shoots begin to turn sharply yellow. This sign indicates the ripening of the tubers, which means you can begin harvesting.You need to dig potatoes in the morning in dry, clear weather.
After harvesting, it is recommended to leave the crop in the garden for two hours, and only then move it indoors for further drying. Potatoes need to be aged for 3-4 weeks. Then it needs to be sorted out, damaged specimens sorted, and seed tubers separated. Only after this can the crop be transferred to the basement for long-term storage. Optimal conditions for preserving the crop: temperature +2-4 °C and humidity within 60-65%. In this case, the tubers retain their consumer properties until the new season.
Conclusion
Belmondo potatoes are significantly superior in characteristics to many known types of crops. Thanks to this, it can be grown in any region of the country and be sure that at the end of the season the harvest will meet expectations. To do this, you only need to plant and provide care in accordance with the requirements of this type of crop.
Reviews from summer residents about Belmondo potatoes
Belmondo planted potatoes this year for the first time. I was pleased with the result. I planted the potatoes unprepared, I didn’t have enough of my own, I bought them through an advertisement and they brought them from a pit unsprouted. The potatoes took a long time to sprout, mine was already hilled, but Belmondo’s was just sprouting. Despite the hot, dry summer, there was no rain for almost two months, June-July, potatoes grew average and above average. There were practically no small items. I usually plant five or six varieties. Belmondo showed the best result. I planted varieties Rekarda, Nora, Sonya, Colet, Red Fantasy and Bellarosa. Bellarosa gave the worst result.
Belmondo planted potatoes for the first time and by accident. I didn't have enough planting material, so I decided to buy more. Belmondo was brought in as advertised. Planted at the beginning of May. The summer was dry. I waited a long time for the shoots. He had already hoed his potatoes, but Belmondo was just sprouting. Now, on August 20th, the potatoes are already drying up, but Belmondo is green and just beginning to bloom. Let's see how it turns out. I'm thinking of digging in early September.