Content
Carrot Laguna is a hybrid of Dutch selection, bred on the basis of the Nantes 4 variety. It produces large, even cylindrical root crops with a smooth surface. It has high productivity. At the same time, the crop is demanding on watering, which is especially important to take into account in regions with insufficient rainfall.
History of selection
Laguna carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a first generation hybrid (F1), bred on the basis of the Dutch company NUNHEMS B.V. (she is also the originator). An application for inclusion in the Russian register of selection achievements was submitted in 2005, and in 2007 the crop was registered. The hybrid was bred on the basis of the classic variety type Nantskaya 4, and therefore has a number of common properties.
Description of the Laguna carrot variety
Laguna carrot produces a semi-spreading rosette of leaves. The tops are medium-sized, green, finely dissected. The root crops are medium, some are large, reaching 27 cm in length and 3 cm in diameter. Weight is 80-110 g, less often up to 120 g. The color is bright orange.
The taste of Laguna carrots is pleasant and sweet.The pulp is moderately juicy, the proportion of dry matter ranges from 10.1% to 13.8% by weight. The total sugar content is from 5.0% to 7.3%, carotene – up to 17.2 mg per 100 g of fruit.
The core is small. Moreover, in medium-sized root crops it is practically invisible or completely absent. Large carrots have a more pronounced, greenish core. The shape of the root crops is cylindrical, oblong, the surface is smooth, without bends or other defects. The eyes are thin, light, and hardly noticeable. There are thread-like lateral roots, but they are short. The tips are blunt, without sharpening. heads are straight.
Characteristics of Laguna carrots
Laguna carrots are quite demanding of heat. It cannot withstand prolonged frosts. Even short-term temperature drops to -1 degree or lower lead to a drop in yield. The hybrid also needs fertile soil, regular watering and other care measures.
Root crops are formed in 2.5-3 months
Maturation period
The ripening period for Laguna carrots is 80 days - this is the time that passes from the appearance of the first shoots to the onset of technical maturity. The hybrid is an early ripening one, which makes it possible to grow it not only in the south of the country, but also in regions with short summers (North-West, Urals, Siberia, Far East).
Productivity
The productivity of Laguna carrots is 5-6 kg per 1 m2. With industrial cultivation, the figure reaches 186-316 c/ha, which corresponds to the standard of the Losinoostrovskaya 13 variety. The maximum value of 391 c/ha was recorded in the Rostov region.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The immunity of hybrids is good, and the Laguna variety is no exception. If the rules of agricultural technology are followed, the crop is rarely affected by diseases or pests. However, in high humidity conditions it can suffer from septoria.
Plants are also often attacked by aphids, carrot flies, psyllids and other pests. Therefore, Laguna carrot plantings need to be periodically inspected. If white spots are detected on the leaves and other signs of disease, treatment is carried out with folk remedies or special preparations.
Landing regions
Laguna carrots are approved for cultivation in the regions of the North Caucasus. It can also be cultivated in neighboring territories - Krasnodar, Stavropol Territories, Astrakhan Region, Crimea. Judging by the reviews of summer residents, carrots can be grown in the Black Earth Region, the Volga region and the middle zone, in the Moscow region.
Advantages and disadvantages
Laguna carrots are valued for their good yield, attractive appearance of root crops, and pleasant taste. The hybrid is resistant to diseases and grows normally not only in the south, but also in the Black Earth and central regions.
Root vegetables are large, with a smooth surface, bright orange color
Pros:
- good yield;
- attractive appearance;
- pleasant taste;
- early ripeness;
- seed germination 95%;
- transportability;
- resistance to many diseases;
- Winter sowing of seeds is possible.
Minuses:
- keeping quality is low;
- instability to frost and septoria.
Growing Tips
Laguna carrot seeds are planted in open ground in the middle or second half of May, when the air temperature is 15-20 degrees and above. At the same time, in the southern regions two crop rotations are possible:
- The first is sowing seeds in mid-April, harvesting at the end of June.
- The second is planting in early July, digging in mid-September.
The place for planting is chosen to be open, sunny and dry (without stagnant water in the lowlands). The best crop predecessors are cabbage, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. 1-1.5 months before planting, the site is dug up and complex fertilizer or organic matter (humus, compost) is applied. If the soil is clayey, you will need to add sawdust or sand.
First, Laguna carrot seeds are pickled in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 5-6 hours. If they were in the package, then additional treatment with stimulants is not needed. It is enough to reject damaged grains.
The landing algorithm is standard:
- Mark furrows 3 cm deep.
- Leave 15 cm between rows.
- Plant the seeds at a distance of 4-5 cm.
- Sprinkle with soil and water.
Caring for Laguna carrots is standard. It should be remembered that the crop needs regular watering. In the absence of rain, at least twice a week. Fertilizer is given twice: after the formation of four leaves and after 3-4 weeks. In both cases, a complex composition is used. The soil is periodically loosened and weeded.
Regular watering and occasional fertilizing ensure good crop yields.
Pest and disease control
When white spots (septoria) appear on Laguna carrot plantings, it is recommended to treat them with an effective fungicide (one drug to choose from):
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "HOM";
- "Tattu";
- "Fundazol";
- "Profit".
Aphids, psyllids, carrot flies and other insects are fought with folk remedies - a solution of laundry soap, tar soap, infusion of garlic, onion peels, chili peppers, tobacco dust. In extreme cases, insecticides are used:
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Biotlin";
- "Fitoverm";
- "Bitoxibacillin";
- "Confidor" and others.
Harvesting and storage
When planting Laguna carrot seeds in early May, the harvest can be harvested from mid-July to the second half of August (the period from 80 to 120 days after germination). 3 weeks before harvesting, you must completely stop watering.
It is better to harvest in sunny and dry weather
To ensure maximum safety, the tops are immediately removed, leaving stumps 3 cm high. Storage is carried out in the basement at a temperature of 3-5 degrees Celsius and a humidity of more than 90%. In such conditions, Laguna carrot roots last up to five months. To increase safety, it is recommended to place them in boxes with sand.
Conclusion
Laguna carrots are a productive hybrid that is valued for its good taste. The root crops are even, approximately the same size, which makes it possible to grow them not only for yourself, but also for sale. Carrots are universally used, suitable for dietary nutrition. It is used fresh, in a variety of dishes and preparations.
Reviews from gardeners about Laguna carrots
