Skarb Potato: Description of the Variety, Growing, and Care
Content
Description
To determine whether this variety is worth growing, you need to know which Skarb potato variety has a variety description. After all, it's this information that vegetable growers rely on when choosing a variety to plant.
This is a mid-late variety. The harvest ripens 80-90 days after the first shoots emerge. It was developed in Belarus and received state registration in Russia in 2002.
The bushes grow to medium size. They are robust and formed from thick shoots. Small, oval-shaped leaves form on the stems. They are dark in color and have smooth edges.
A distinctive feature of Skarba's tubers is their excellent flavor, which doesn't overcook or darken when cooked. Skarba's root vegetables have the following descriptions:
- The peel is light golden in color. It is smooth and even;
- The skin has small eyes. They are located shallowly and relatively evenly across the entire surface of the potato;
- They are large. Average weight is 200 grams;
- oval shape;
- high resistance to mechanical damage;
- The flesh is uniform and tender. It has a bright yellow color;
- starch content – 17%.
One bush can yield 12-18 potatoes, and one hectare can yield up to 50-60 tons of harvest.
The plant is undemanding and can thrive in a variety of climates. The variety is grown in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and Moldova. Moreover, Skarb can be grown in regions with cold climates.
The bushes are resistant to all major nightshade diseases and can withstand drought well. However, the plant does not tolerate overwatering well. This is especially dangerous in the early stages of development.
The main advantages of Scarb include:
- excellent shelf life of tubers;
- high yield rates;
- excellent immunity;
- resistance to sub-zero temperatures;
- good taste;
- excellent presentation.
The only drawbacks here are that the leaves can be susceptible to late blight, and the bush itself is susceptible to wireworms and Colorado potato beetles. However, these shortcomings can be offset with proper care and preventative treatments.
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Growing
The Skarb potato variety is undemanding in terms of growing conditions. However, it is best planted in fertile, heavy soils.
When planning to grow this variety in your garden, it's important to remember its key characteristic: the tubers germinate with great difficulty. Therefore, before planting, the tubers should be germinated. This eliminates any difficulties in growing this potato variety.
Planting should begin no earlier than early May. However, planting times may vary slightly depending on the growing region.
The area where potatoes are to be planted should have a low groundwater table. The soil is prepared before planting using standard methods:
- In autumn, the soil is dug up and organic fertilizers should be added to it;
- In the spring, a few weeks before planting, the soil is re-treated. At this time, mineral fertilizers are added.
There are various ways to plant tubers. For example, the Dutch technique is often used. It involves planting the seedlings in slightly raised furrows. This method simplifies future care and ensures good aeration of the root system.
When planting, use a 60 x 35 cm pattern. Due to the variety's characteristics, the holes for the tubers should be shallow – approximately 8-10 cm.
Care
Once the first shoots emerge, potato plants require proper care. This includes the following steps:
- Loosening the soil around the bushes. This procedure should be carried out regularly to prevent crusting;
- High-quality and thorough irrigation. Watering is especially important during the growing season and during tuber formation. Water the plants twice every 7 days. Watering is stopped approximately a few weeks before harvesting.
- Fertilizing. It is recommended to fertilize potatoes with a prepared mullein solution. To obtain an optimal solution, dilute the mullein in water at a ratio of 1:8. Before fertilizing, be sure to thoroughly water the plants.
- Preventive treatment of bushes against insects.
As a preventative measure, plants should be treated against various pathogens. This procedure should be carried out even if the bushes have a high immunity. It is recommended to treat plants with a weak copper sulfate solution and systematically use fungicides. Ash dusting can also be used. All preventative treatments should be carried out before flowering.
In addition, it's essential to regularly weed the beds. When the first shoots emerge, they must be hilled. This procedure is performed periodically throughout the growing season. Hilling is usually done before the potato plants bloom.
Diseases and pests
The Skarb potato variety is popular among gardeners not only for its high yield but also for its high resistance to pests and harmful microorganisms. However, if poorly cared for, the plants can suffer from late blight. This disease is characterized by the appearance of brown spots on the lower leaves. These spots have light-colored edges. Initially, solutions of copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture are effective.
Wireworms are the insect most commonly found in Skarb. They damage stems and tubers. Digging, loosening, and weeding the soil can help protect plantings from these insects. Liming the soil is also effective.
Potato plants of this variety suffer from Colorado potato beetle infestations. Chemical pesticides such as Corado, Tabu, Aktara, and Prestige can help. Biological pesticides (such as Boverin, etc.) are also used. Folk remedies can also be used.
As we can see, Skarb is an excellent variety with numerous advantages and minimal disadvantages. Moreover, the latter can be mitigated with proper care and preventative measures.
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