Potato "Lyubava": variety description and cultivation
To date, there are many types of potatoes, keeping track of which is simply impossible. Some differ in growth rate, others in taste. ?Today we will talk about such a type of potato as "Lyubava". This variety first appeared in 2003 in Kemerovo. This species was even included in the State Register of Varieties of the Russian Federation.
Characteristic
The Lyubava potato variety has become one of the favorites of most gardeners in our large country, as it is not whimsical to weather conditions. According to the description of the variety, the plant belongs to the early ones, and the period from the moment of planting to ripening is only 75 days. The bushes are small in size, like the leaves, and the flowers have a lilac-violet color. The tubers grow very attractive: there are few eyes in such potatoes, they are located on the surface, and the skin has a pinkish tint. By weight, the yield from one bush reaches from 100 to 210 grams.
In terms of taste, the variety is distinguished by sweetness and wonderful taste, it is this quality that most gardeners note. In their opinion, this type of potato is ideal for those areas where there are not enough favorable conditions for growth. However, during the early ripening period, the bushes give a lot of tubers, the number of which can reach 20. Also, gardeners note another of the advantages - this is a quick ripening and, as mentioned earlier, a good harvest.
Advantages and disadvantages
As mentioned earlier, this potato variety does not belong to whimsical species, which is its first and indisputable advantage.
Also, the pluses include the appearance of tubers and the absence of large eyes, making the variety great for sale. Fast ripening and, of course, versatility in cooking are other important advantages. There are varieties of potatoes that, over time, begin to germinate or quickly deteriorate, which cannot be said about Lyubava.
But, in addition to all the advantages, there are some disadvantages of the plant. As for the diseases that affect it, it is late blight.
Compared to other diseases that threaten a vegetable, this is something that can not only infect it, but also kill it, however, if you followed all the rules for planting and caring, then such a defeat does not threaten you.
This is where the shortcomings of "Lyubava" end, and this is a good reason to be inclined to plant such a plant, because much more praise comes from gardeners.
How to plant?
The optimal conditions for the good growth of Lyubava will be the conditions of Western Siberia. The climate is continental, and it often rains torrents. As for the temperature, the maximum in summer reaches +20 degrees. It is in such harsh conditions that the bushes give a good harvest and become vulnerable to diseases.
Any potato will require fertile soil, sunny side, but protected from strong winds. Remember also to use fertilizers, which will definitely not become superfluous and will help you get a rich harvest. The best predecessors will be cabbage, herbs and, for example, cucumbers. Also remember that it is not recommended to grow potatoes in one place for several years in a row.
So, now let's move on to the basic rules for planting potatoes. The first rule that you must remember is the correct temperature regime. May will be a favorable month, or rather its middle, while the soil should warm up to +10 degrees with a depth of at least 10 cm.
Consider three ways to plant potatoes:
- planting in holes - suitable if the plant is planted in loose soil, where there is a lot of moisture and the earth is well heated;
- trench - suitable if the climate is not humid enough and the soil is sandy;
- planting in ridges - a great way for that soil that is too moist.
It is worthwhile to carefully approach the choice of the method of planting, because in the future your harvest depends on it. Before you start planting, as well as for good and unhindered growth, you should adhere to the scheme - 60 * 35 cm. If the soil is clay, then the depth should be 6–8 cm, if the soil is sandy, then 10–12 cm.
Do not forget to use growth stimulants, process vegetable bushes and fertilize them.
Care
The issue with the nuances of the landing is resolved. Let's imagine that the potatoes were planted, now it's worth understanding how to care for them.
It has already been said that the Lyubava variety belongs to the category of unpretentious plants, but it is still necessary to take care of it. Watering should be plentiful, at least once a week. After planting, the potatoes are not watered, the procedure begins from the moment the first sunrises appear, their height usually reaches no more than 15 cm, while the tubers begin to form around the beginning of August. Also, watering can be combined with the addition of top dressing. Weeds are collected and mixed in a ratio of 1: 7. Now we will learn how to prepare a special solution.
The weed that you weeded out should be ¾ filled with water, leaving room for fermentation. If you leave little space, then all the resulting liquid will simply overflow out.
After that, it is necessary to cover the container with a dense film and tie it tightly around the barrel, for example, so that nitrogen, which begins to release manure, does not erode. According to gardeners, the best remedy is obtained when nitrogen does not mix with oxygen, but wanders only in the presence of methane. Such top dressing for a vegetable will be prepared for two weeks, after which you will smell the stables.
Now you need to dilute the infusion depending on the area of \u200b\u200bfertilization:
- if these are roots, then add water in a ratio of 1: 2;
- if it is foliar top dressing, then 1: 5.
Also, this top dressing perfectly protects the plant from external pests. The smell repels them, and they just fly between the beds without hitting your crop. Remember that such top dressing can be combined with watering.
Remember hilling: after each watering, you need to loosen and weed your crop. As mentioned earlier, watering should begin when the first shoots appear, at the same time it is also necessary to loosen the soil well. Thus, it will be filled with oxygen, and you can get rid of unwanted weeds. If the weather is hot, water the potatoes with settled water (about 2-3 liters).
If your plant has already reached 12 cm, choose a day for hilling and spend it. This will allow the potatoes to grow faster and grow tubers. It is customary to hill the plant two or three times, preferably after rain. The second procedure should be carried out approximately 16 days after the first hilling.Each gardener chooses the volume and frequency of fertilization for himself, just do not overdo it, as you can upset the nutrient balance of the soil.
When it's time to harvest, clear the soil of weeds about a week beforehand, which will allow the tubers to ripen faster and also protect them from late blight.
Diseases and pests
Potato "Lyubava" does not belong to those species that are often affected by pests, but it is sometimes difficult to resist this. We will figure out what diseases can affect your crop and how to deal with them.
One of the most common diseases that affects the plant is phytophthora. In order to prevent defeat, you can:
- apply a woody vine, spreading it between the rows;
- do spraying with a solution of potassium permanganate and garlic in the proportion: a bucket of water, 100 g of garlic and 100 g of potassium permanganate;
- use a solution of sour milk and iodine, which is prepared as follows: take 20 drops of iodine and dilute in 1 liter of milk;
- apply Trichopol tablet, which will perfectly protect your plant.
These compounds are not only easy to prepare, but also well prevent the appearance of diseases on your plant. And if the crop is still struck by phytophthora, then immediately remove it and process neighboring fruits so that it does not spread to them.
Potatoes show resistance to diseases such as cancer and scab. The Colorado potato beetle and the golden nematode are pests that are quite dangerous for potatoes. They will have to fight only with chemicals. That is why pay special attention to the disinfection of your crop at the time of germination and tuber formation.
Now consider those options that will help get rid of the Colorado potato beetle and nematodes.As mentioned above, wood ash can be used for disinfection. It is she who will save your future harvest from the beetle.
Also in this case, calendula sown between the rows can help.
If your potato bush was struck by a nematode, then the only salvation will be digging up the plant and processing the neighboring ones. As for the harvest itself, a week before that, it is necessary to remove all the tops from the beds, then the potatoes can ripen and compact their peel. Even though the variety belongs to the early ones, it is stored perfectly and does not even germinate.
Let's reveal the secret of getting a double crop in one season. When others are just starting to plant potatoes, gardeners in the South are already content with the harvest, because they plant in March.
In order to get a second crop, you need to plant a vegetable in June, the first tubers will appear next month, and by autumn you will get a second crop of delicious potatoes.
The second crop of "Lyubava" is best planted in the place where radishes were grown before, for example, or any other greens. If you do not have enough space in the garden or plot, then pay special attention to fertilizing the soil, because the first crop has absorbed all the minerals and useful components contained in it. An excellent solution would be to fertilize the holes themselves and, of course, add dressings during the ripening period of potatoes.
Potatoes of the Lyubava variety are simply a discovery for gardeners, not only in terms of the method of cultivation and care, but also in terms of taste.
Characteristics of some potato varieties, including the Lyubava variety, see below.