Domestic potato variety "Aurora" for a rich, tasty harvest

The huge variety of potato varieties and hybrids sometimes makes it difficult to choose. I want to be sure to get a good harvest without unnecessary hassle and constant care. Aurora potatoes belong to just such varieties. It is unpretentious and produces rich harvests. But the main advantage of Aurora is its taste. It is because of the unique taste that many vegetable growers plant the crop year after year.

What kind of potato is this?

The high-yielding potato variety Aurora was obtained thanks to the persistent and painstaking work of breeders at the Vsevolozhsk breeding station. Entered into the State Register in 2006. It takes root and bears fruit well in all regions of our country, as well as in neighboring countries.

Origin and development

The plant's homeland is South America. For a long time, potatoes grew in the wild, although attempts were made to domesticate them. It took a lot of effort and time to complete this task.

After the mass distribution of potatoes in different countries, they were greeted differently. In Spain, it was considered an ornamental shrub and was planted in flower beds instead of flowers. The Italians, Swiss, Irish and English used the vegetable for its intended purpose, that is, consumed it as food.

The Irish climate turned out to be the most favorable for the development of potatoes, and in England the population was provided with additional money so that they would plant more of this vegetable.

And only Germany flatly refused to cultivate this crop.For some time, people were poisoned because they consumed the berries, and not the tubers themselves. A the berries are known to be poisonous.

This is interesting! Potatoes were nicknamed “the devil’s berry” due to mass poisonings. This name stuck to it in Europe in the 16th century.

Distinctive features, characteristics of the variety

The average weight of ripe vegetables is 120-140 g, oval in shape, thick yellow peel. There are few eyes, but they stand out clearly, as they are colored in a reddish tint. The pulp is cream-colored and can withstand any heat treatment.

The starch content is average (not higher than 17%), when cooked, the vegetables become moderately crumbly, but do not fall apart. The tubers have a rich sweetish taste.

The use of potatoes is universal, they are suitable for preparing any dish, ideal for baking (they make an excellent filling for pies) and cooking.

Ripe vegetables are subject to long-term storage and do not lose their presentation until spring. The shelf life percentage is high, ranging from 90-95% of the total mass.

The photo shows the Aurora potato.

Description of the plant

Let's start describing the variety with appearance. The bush is tall, powerful, spreading. Despite its strength, the stem bends toward the ground due to its growth, so it is necessary to carry out high hilling. The leaves are large, light green, the foliage is dense, which prevents sunlight from penetrating the tubers. Flowering is short-lived, but very different from other varieties: the flowers are unusually beautiful, large, purple with a reddish tint.

The ripening period is average, the harvest is harvested 75-95 days after planting. The variety is resistant to golden nematode and potato blight, but late blight is possible.

Productivity

The main difference between Aurora potatoes is the yield indicator. When planted in fertile soil, up to 450 centners are collected from 1 hectare. The average yield is 250-350 c/ha. 12-20 potatoes are formed on one seedling. But the tubers are not the same size: from 100 to 300 g.

Most entrepreneurs are interested in breeding Aurora, since high yields provide good profits. Ripe vegetables are perfectly transported over long distances, maintaining their taste and presentation.

How to grow potatoes

Aurora does not belong to the whimsical varieties; it takes root almost throughout the entire territory of Russia. The main thing is to carry out proper pre-sowing treatment, which will help keep the seed healthy and grow a rich harvest.

Pre-sowing treatment

Preparation of tubers begins a month before sowing. They are carefully inspected and damaged and dark colored ones are removed. Potatoes weighing no more than 100 g are selected for sowing. The seed material is laid out in a bright and cool room for germination.

Immediately before planting, potatoes are treated with the fungicidal agent “Fitosporin”, which not only serves as a disinfectant, but also strengthens the plant’s immunity. When the sprouts reach 2 cm, you can begin planting.

Reference! Greening the tubers will preserve the seed material from rodents. The green color of the skin means an increased amount of solanine, which is poisonous to field mice.

Planting dates and scheme

As soon as the threat of return frosts has passed and the soil has warmed up to 10°C, begin planting potatoes.

The tubers are planted in prepared soil, dug up in the fall. For fertility, the dug soil is supplied with wood ash and humus.

In the spring, the soil is dug up again and holes 10 cm deep are prepared. Planting pattern: 30 cm – distance between holes, 70 cm – row spacing. After planting, the tubers are sprinkled with soil and moistened.

Attention! The tubers are placed in the holes with the sprouts facing up. This method of planting will ensure faster emergence of seedlings.

Further care for Aurora potatoes

Despite the fact that the variety is drought-resistant, it responds well to watering. With proper watering, fruiting increases.

Watering

Before the flowering period begins, plants are watered every week in the evening, using at least 3 liters of water for each seedling. At the time of flowering, watering is increased if there is no rain at this time. In any case, you should focus on weather conditions and the level of humidity in the beds. To preserve the health of seedlings, the humidity level should not go beyond normal limits.

After watering, the soil is loosened to ensure air permeability of the soil. For full growth and development, roots need oxygen. Also, do not forget about weeding the potato beds. Many pests that are dangerous to the nightshade family live and reproduce in weeds, so weeds must be removed by the roots. Weeds prevent plants from growing and fruits from ripening, taking nutrients from the soil.

High hilling is carried out as needed, but at least three times per season. Tall seedlings lie on the ground, which can lead to the development of fungal diseases, especially when in contact with wet soil. To ensure that the bushes stand straight, the ground is raked as high as possible. The procedure also protects the tubers from sunlight, and they do not turn green.

Feeding

Organic compounds and a full range of minerals are used as fertilizers. Nitrogen is used only at the initial stage, two weeks after planting in the ground. Nitrogen helps to increase the green mass and height of the plant, but if you feed it with nitrogen throughout the growing season, then all the nutrients will be spent on leaf growth and not on the formation of tubers.

During flowering, fertilize with organic matter, use an infusion of bird droppings in a ratio of 1:10 and pour it between the rows after abundant watering.

At the time of fruiting, they are fed with phosphorus and potassium for faster formation and ripening of tubers.

All fertilizing is either combined with watering or applied to well-moistened soil.

Disease and pest control

Due to the susceptibility of seedlings to late blight, preventive measures are systematically carried out. These include:

• compliance with crop rotation rules;
• moderate watering;
• systematic loosening and hilling;
• timely application of fertilizers;
• treatment with fungicidal agents.

It is important to inspect the seedlings daily for changes and the presence of pests in order to take immediate action.

To treat late blight, the contact fungicide “Fitosporin” is used. Plants are also sprayed with it for preventive purposes.

When there is a large concentration of the Colorado potato beetle, use the drug “Prestige” or “Confidor”. If the pest is small, it is collected manually along with the larvae.

For mole crickets, use “Medvetox”. The granules are buried 2 cm into the ground, since the mole cricket moves underground.Folk methods are also used against this insect: crushed heads of garlic and fish heads, which, like Medvetox granules, are buried several centimeters into the ground.

Collection, application and storage of crops

A few days before harvesting, the tops are mowed, leaving no more than 10 cm. Dig out carefully so as not to damage the tubers with a shovel. After harvesting, the potatoes are left in the sun to dry for several days. When rain is forecast, the tubers are removed under a canopy. After drying, the potatoes are stored for long-term storage in a dry and cool room.

Ripe vegetables are suitable for preparing any dish. Potato Ideal for boiling, pureeing, pie filling and frying. The rich taste goes well in stews with other vegetables.

Advantages and disadvantages

Aurora potatoes are valued not only for their high yield.

In addition, the variety has a number of other advantages:

• drought resistance;
• easy care;
• cultivation throughout Russia;
• excellent taste;
• universal application;
• high percentage of shelf life;
• long-distance transportation;
• Possibility of breeding for sale.

Among the negative aspects, there is susceptibility to late blight.

For which regions is it best suited?

Aurora potatoes have established themselves as a variety capable of bearing fruit in any climatic zone of our country. It is also actively cultivated in Ukraine and Belarus.

Nevertheless, there are nine regions that are the most favorable in terms of climate and soil composition:

• Moscow;
• Moscow region;
• Leningrad region;
• Central;
• Far Eastern;
• North Caucasian;
• Volgo-Vyatsky;
• Chernozemny;
• Northwestern.

Farmer reviews

Everyone who planted Aurora on their plots speaks only positively about it and advises every gardener to try it. Many people replant potatoes because of their rich taste.

Anton, Voronezh: «I read the description of the culture, saw photographs of the fruits and did not believe it. I decided to plant it on my site. The harvest was a success, although the summer was gloomy and rainy. I was glad that the seedlings did not get sick. The only prerequisite is high hilling. Otherwise the bushes will fall to the ground.”

Alena, Leningrad region: “Aurora is an excellent potato: large, beautiful, tasty. I cook any dishes from it, I especially like it boiled because of its friability. People also call it Red-Eyed because of its red eyes. The harvest is always rich and the seedlings are healthy.”

Read also:

Mid-season unpretentious potato variety "Arizona".

High-yielding purple potato variety "Cornflower".

Drought-resistant and unpretentious potato variety "Meteor".

Conclusion

Aurora potatoes are an excellent solution for those who do not want to devote all their free time to the garden. The variety is unpretentious in care, rarely affected by diseases and is resistant to many pests. High yield combined with excellent taste make these potatoes irreplaceable. Aurora is grown not only for personal farming, but also on an industrial scale. Due to high demand, this variety does not remain on the shelves for a long time.