Potato in our country takes pride of place. Not a single holiday or a hearty meal can do without it. It is not surprising that agronomists managed to create hundreds of unique varieties that differ not only in different tastes, characteristics, but also in breeding methods. And what grows in the garden better than potatoes? Kiwi variety, description of the variety and other characteristics of this species will be a key topic of today's story. Some myths about this variety will also be debunked.
Taste qualities
Many agronomists love to grow kiwi potatoes. Description of the variety of reviews in various people is mixed. Some people like this look for friable structure and soft thin skin. Others are unhappy with the long cooking period, which sometimes exceeds 40 minutes and an almost tasteless middle. But at the same time, tubers belong to very productive categories. So, from one bush you can collect up to half a bucket of hearty vegetable.
Ripening time
"Kiwi" refers to the late varieties. Its ripening period is 120 days. Of course, this is not the final figure, because many factors influence the time of tuber formation: climate, weather conditions, amount of moisture. Even in the same region in different years, the degree of maturation (subject to the same planting) can be different.
It is best to eat new potatoes. It is thanks to the very velvet and thin skin that is easily detached that you can feel the whole beauty of the variety. Only ripened potatoes are still sweet, it is filled with fresh strength and a peppy start. And in the winter, this variety is great for salads.
Grade characteristics
In various encyclopedias and reference books you can find the following description of the kiwi potato variety . The characteristics of some parameters are given below.
- The color of the tubers is white.
- The shape is round.
- Peel - mesh, velvet.
- Ripening time is 120 days.
- Type of productivity - high-yielding.
- The degree of pest damage is low.
- The bush system is lush, with purple inflorescences.
- Soil requirements - low, resistant to thickened planting.
- Shelf life - all winter without special conditions.
Has its own characteristics of the potato variety "kiwi". It is not for nothing that the description of the variety contains one distinctive column - pest resistance. The Colorado potato beetle really rarely infects young shoots. And there are two reasons for this. First: the leaves of the plant are very rough and have a hairy structure. This repels the insect as it becomes difficult for it to lay eggs. And the second: potato in its structure contains bio fiber, which is not digested by the pest.
In addition, this potato variety is not affected by late blight, scab, macrosporiosis and other similar viral diseases.
GMO or not?
Many CIS residents rarely meet or hear about kiwi potatoes. This is not surprising, because for a long time information about him was kept secret. Unfortunately, in the Soviet Union it was believed that work for the benefit of society should be hidden behind seven seals.
Many people still think that “kiwi” is a Bryansk variety. After all, they developed at the same time as several other species: lasunok, pace, Belarusian-3. But such rumors are just a leak of information from the laboratory. In fact, these are completely different varieties.
One unresolved question remains. If you carefully familiarize yourself with some parameters, there is a doubt whether the kiwi potato is safe. The description of the variety, GMO or not, will help to find out. There are two arguments that indicate that the product was grown without the use of genetic technology.
The opinion of some agronomists: since a potato is not damaged by insects, it means that a gene of a bacterium, an enemy of the Colorado potato beetle, has been introduced into its gene. Firstly, these technologies have long been outdated, and the bio-fiber present in the potato got there by the method of ordinary crossing.
Secondly, increased hairiness on the shoots is also the result of traditional selection, and no interference with the gene structure has occurred.
Thus, it is obvious that kiwi potatoes are completely safe.
Growing Features
Experienced agronomists can tell you how to grow different varieties of potatoes. Characteristics (grade "kiwi"), cultivation and care depend more on the efforts of the owners. There are techniques to get the maximum yield. So, experts recommend planting the vegetable in the Dutch way. The following principles should be considered.
- The layout of the rows looks like this: two adjacent rows of potatoes, a gap, again two adjacent rows, a gap.
- The distance between the beds should be 70-75 cm. This is enough for small equipment to pass, and the earth is used to create embankments.
- The distance between the tubers is 30 cm.
- Bushes do not swell, but are covered with earth on both sides. While the sprouts are small, they need to be buried completely: so that only the top leaves stick out.
- Over the summer, the beds are watered only three times.
The Dutch planting method allows you to collect the maximum amount of crop. From one bush you can get up to 2 kg of tubers.
What you should know about leaving
Perfectly grown potatoes, a variety of "kiwi." The description of the variety indicates that it is not picky about soil or fertilizers. In addition, since the species is not affected by various insects, it should not be treated with pesticides, which affect the quality of the final product. Growing "kiwi", you can be absolutely sure that the vegetable is safe and does not contain nitrates. But at the same time, in folk recipes there are secrets how to get a tasty and healthy crop.
- Soil preparation begins in the fall. At this time, the top layer is plowed, 15 cm thick. It is good to introduce manure. The main components that the potato will take from it are phosphorus and potassium.
- In order for the potatoes to be rich and juicy, you need a fertilizer that contains a large amount of nitrogen. But you need to know the measure, otherwise the excess will act on the contrary. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring.
- Before planting the tubers must sprout.
- If the variety is planted for the first time, it does not need to be fed.
- Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out by introducing liquid into the hollow between the bushes. The first time this is done in early summer, when the weather is already warm, the second time after 10 days, and again after the same period of time.
- A few days before digging, you should trim the entire tops, retreating 15 cm from the ground.
Harvest
All of the above was a description of high-yielding varieties of kiwi potatoes. If you take into account all the points, then the result will really exceed expectations. The fact that the tubers are ripe, learn from the dried tops. For reliability, dig one bush and check.
All grown potatoes are first dried, then sorted out, rotten removed, and then sent for storage to a cellar or other cool store.
Comparisons with other high-yielding varieties
Here are some examples of the best varieties of potatoes. Description, recommendations for their cultivation can be found in encyclopedias or gardening guides. Here are just a few varieties that can compete with "kiwi" in terms of yield and taste characteristics.
"Agria." Bred in Holland. It has a light color, medium late. It is well preserved in winter, tastes great.
The Gingerbread Man. The tubers are round yellow in color, which is why the name arose. Popular thanks to excellent opportunities for industrial processing. mid-season, not affected by pests.
"Fairy tale". It has a very delicate taste. The peel is rough, yellow. The middle is snow-white. Resistant to all known viral diseases.
"Jelly." It is considered the most nutritious. The color and structure is very similar to "kiwi." The peel has a slightly golden hue. The variety is mid-early.
Conclusion
Truly universal for our latitudes potato variety "kiwi". The description of the variety suggests that it perfectly survives in any soil, is undemanding to climate and weather conditions. With all this, it has high yields. "Kiwi" is little affected by the Colorado potato beetle, is resistant to viral diseases, so it does not need to be treated with pesticides, from which nitrates can enter the tubers. This is a great option for a personal plot.