Since 2008, the Gala variety has been recognized as one of the most promising varieties of vegetables called “second bread”. Potato, the description of which is contained in literally every article on homestead farming, has become unusually popular today. In the Russian Federation, it is grown in the Yaroslavl, Tver, Vologda, Kostroma, Novgorod, Leningrad, Pskov, Kaliningrad regions.
Grade description
One of the major virtues of a culture is its early maturation. In this regard, against the background of other varieties, again, Gala potatoes stand out. The variety description does not take up much space. The bush refers to a semi-upright species or spreading, the type is intermediate. Shrubs and leaves are usually medium in size, and flower corollas are white.
The peel and pulp have a pleasant yellow color, the shape of the tuber is round or oval, the eyes are small. The potential yield is high - about 60 tons per hectare. One bush can contain from 16 to 20 tubers with an average weight of 80 to 130 grams.
The starch content is up to 13%. This is relatively small, and those who want a healthy diet should eat Gala potatoes. Reviews about the boiling point characterize it as good, and taste is rated at 9 points out of 10. The protein content ranges from 3 to 3.5%, and vitamin C - up to 12 mg per 100 grams of product.
This potato variety retains all its qualities well and for a long time during storage. In addition, it is very resistant to various diseases, such as, for example, cancer of potato, nematode, late blight, scab and various viral diseases. This is a table variety; it is well preserved in packaging.
Potato variety Gala. Customer reviews
It’s Gala potatoes that are the top sales of 2013. The reason for this is the huge number of positive consumer reviews that they willingly share with each other in comments, blogs and forums. Here are some of the benefits that are often mentioned:
- Gala is relatively easy to grow due to resistance to disease;
- when all the necessary operations of the agrotechnical plan are carried out, its potential yield is very high and amounts to 70 tons per hectare, while the marketability is maintained at 90%;
- sufficiently rapid maturation, which requires approximately 2.5 months;
- Gala potato tubers are unusually smooth, with shallow eyes, which allows the use of machine cleaning, for the same reason it is easy to wash and pack;
- This variety is resistant to damage, which makes it possible to carry out mechanical cleaning and sorting.
And, of course, the most important thing that consumers usually report primarily on is taste. Here again, the leading potato variety is Gala. The characterization of the gourmets who gave him nine points out of ten is not a joke! Dishes from it are certainly appreciated! That is why, according to the results of sales in 2013, the main position is again held by Gala potatoes. The photo below gives an idea of its appearance.
What are the benefits of potatoes Gala?
100 grams of this variety contains 500 mg of potassium. In this regard, neither bread, nor meat, nor fish can be compared with him. But this microelement strengthens the heart muscle and prevents the development of sclerosis.
In addition, potatoes are a dietary product for heart and kidney diseases. With peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, the raw juice of this vegetable helps well. Potato variety Gala is perfect for these purposes. The characterization of the results for those who have tried this method on themselves is impressive.
This potato is able to restore metabolism, neutralizing excess acids, due to which the body ages prematurely. The acetylcholine contained in it reduces pressure.
Potato Gala can also be successfully used for burns and skin diseases, for headaches and poisoning with poisons. Probably everyone in childhood was treated for a cold in pairs of boiled potato peels. It can also be used for warming up with radiculitis.
This vegetable is close to bread in its chemical composition, and in the composition of vitamins (E, K, PP, B, folic acid) and minerals - to greens. Moreover, its caloric content exceeds the same indicator in other plants by 3 times (800-900 kcal).
As you know, the tuberin protein contains absolutely all the amino acids that the human body needs and it is he who is one of the components of this potato variety. Description of percent of the daily intake of vitamins and minerals contained in one portion of the product is given in the table:
| A | 0.3 | Cl | 2,5 |
| B 1 | 8 | S | 3.2 |
| B 2 | 3.9 | Cu | 14 |
| B 5 | 6 | Mn | 8.5 |
| B 6 | fifteen | Cr | 20 |
| C | 22.2 | V | 373 |
| PP | 9 | Zn | 3 |
| Na | 0.4 | Fe | 5 |
| K | 22.7 | Boron | 5.8 |
| Ph | 7.2 | Co | fifty |
Especially a lot of nutrients are contained under the skin of the tubers, however, harmful pesticides and nitrates are collected there.
You should also avoid eating green tubers. They are unsuitable even for animals, only for seeds.
Opinions of summer residents
Variety Gala is in great demand among the population. It is willingly bought, and also grown in personal plots. Lovers of country farming respond with enthusiasm about it.
For a long time, everyone dreamed of a sort of potato that would have the best qualities and be unpretentious at the same time. Potato Gala - the embodiment of the aspirations of many. It tolerates heat well, does not suffer in the absence of moisture, tolerates insect raids without much loss, and quickly copes with diseases.
Plant growers claim that Gala potatoes are needed to achieve high yields with little effort. Reviews of its taste complement the list of merits of the variety.
In the forums for homestead lovers, summer residents share tips on growing this variety. Gala loves to be moisturized evenly. It grows well and is cultivated under the cover of a film, so that it can be prepared for planting in advance. For an early hybrid, this is important, and this potato is just a mid-early variety.
The excellent taste and the beautiful appearance of the tubers characterize the Gala potatoes in the first place. Customer reviews also report on its excellent keeping quality. It is not surprising that its popularity among the population is growing rapidly.
"Favorite" Gala disease
The least number of problems during cultivation causes a variety of potatoes Gala. Reviews say that perhaps his most vulnerable spot is susceptibility to a disease such as rhizoctonia, which is caused by a fungus.
Roots, stems, sprouts suffer from this disease. On tubers, it looks like dark lumps of high density, and on sprouts - brown sores. Gradually they destroy the sprouts in the process of their growth. Such an ailment often affects the potato variety Gala. The photo below illustrates the manifestations of the disease.
Potatoes affected by this fungus fade, lag behind in development. Usually, infection occurs through the soil, but sometimes sick tubers also play the role of conductor of the disease. Rhizoctonia, if not combated, can reduce yield by 15-20%.
Keep Gala Potatoes Healthy
It is important to monitor the following conditions:
- On the soil for planting, no crust should occur.
- It is better that when planting the soil is warm.
- Pre-process potatoes with a solution of boric acid. A solution of borax in a concentration of 1.5% is also suitable.
- It is well protected against infection by spraying when seedlings appear with the Zircon preparation (0.3 ml is enough per bucket).
If the infection did occur, it is necessary to process the potatoes with the Kuproksat fungicide at the rate of 25-50 grams per bucket of water. Repeat this procedure after 10 days. Do not forget that 3 weeks before harvesting chemicals should not be used!
Potato Gala - selection product
This potato variety was bred as a result of selection. In modern Germany, new varieties of potatoes are systematically developed (each is described in great detail). The development of selection in this country began around the middle of the 19th century. Today, 35 private enterprises are engaged in this.
Mostly these works are carried out in the Baltic regions of Germany. The state supports the genetic bank with finances, pays for research, and is engaged in the development of equipment.
There is a special structure - the Federal Office, which is engaged in the protection of new plant varieties. It controls the results of the work of breeders, sets standards, classifies the results.
Serious attention is given to phytosanitary testing, the potato's resistance to various diseases, as well as its taste and culinary qualities, the most suitable processing methods, are determined.
As a result, the new variety receives a license, which gives the right to conduct further tests. At the next stage of the test, the suitability of cultivating the variety in a particular area is determined.
All the necessary stages of checks passed here and the Gala potato. The description of the variety, all its merits allowed him to enter the top ten leading varieties of potatoes, which occupy 35% of the area allotted for this crop. The preferences are due to the fact that there is practically no such market requirement that Gala potatoes would not meet. The characteristic of its basic qualities is literally striking in its perfection.
The certified seed material of potatoes from Germany is very popular. The main exporters are the Mediterranean countries, as well as Austria and Russia.
How to plant this potato?
When planting Gala potatoes, it is advisable to select no more than the size of a chicken egg. Well, if there is an opportunity to warm them in the sun for 3-4 days before planting. Leave a distance between tubers of 80 cm, and the depth should not exceed half a palm.
In order to ensure good growth of the root system, it is necessary several times to sprinkle with earth the emerging sprouts. And in order for the land to have a good rest during the winter, one can sow rye at the potato planting site.
An important advantage of Gala potatoes is that it can be grown on any type of soil, and even get a rich harvest. The main thing is competent care.
In order for this potato to lie for a long time, until spring, remaining in excellent condition, it is necessary to remove the tops about two weeks before it is dug up.
Some features of care
Variety Gala gives good, friendly shoots, tops in the ranks closes quickly, while growing moderately. This variety is best suited for second planting last year's seeds. One of the features of the Gala variety is its multi-layering, with the tubers aligned (45-55 mm).
When growing all varieties bred abroad, you can count on a decent harvest only if good agricultural technology is used. However, this is not so difficult.
It is enough to feed the plants with complex fertilizers at the second hilling rate at the rate of 1 tablespoon of azofoska for 4 potato bushes. And, of course, fertilize before planting. This is quite enough to get an excellent crop.
How to protect Gala potatoes from viruses?
Typically, the variety bears fruit excellently for six years. However, some viruses can make adjustments to the potato's lifespan. If in the neighboring areas ordinary, non-elite potato varieties are grown, then viruses can also get from your land along with aphids to your beds. In order to prevent this from happening, do the following:
- It is necessary to carefully examine all the bushes when the plants reach 10-15 cm in height, and note those that have twisted leaves. Their tubers can be prepared for food, but can not be used for seeds.
- Plants with viruses have fewer tubers, so only bushes with high yields should be left on the seeds.
If you observe these simple conditions, you can significantly extend the life of the variety.
One of the recipes for potatoes Gala
Of course, any potato dish is suitable for this variety. It is believed that it is especially good in boiled form in “slices”, since it has the ability to maintain shape during cooking without boiling.
However, the Gala potato (reviews say this), baked in the oven in the “grill” mode, is simply gorgeous! In addition, this is a very useful low-calorie fast-cooking recipe for those who want to keep a figure:
- First of all, you need to peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes;
- then put in a bowl, salt to taste, sprinkle with Italian Herbs natural seasoning (can be replaced if desired);
- add vegetable oil at the rate of one tablespoon per 0.5-1 kg of potatoes and mix well so that a thin layer of oil covers the whole potato;
- put on a baking sheet and put in a preheated oven.
Bake in the “grill” mode at a temperature of 190 ° C for 15 minutes. If you want a softer potato, you can lightly sprinkle a baking sheet with water. A dish decorated with fresh herbs will look more appetizing.