An unpretentious potato variety “Crimean Rose” for growing in hot climates

Crimean rose is an early ripening amateur variety with different-sized tubers of a pleasant pink color. The low starch content allows you to prepare a variety of dishes from the product by frying, stewing, baking and cooking. The dense pulp retains its structure and does not fall apart.

A rich harvest is obtained only in warm climates with long summers. The variety, like a true southerner, can withstand drought and heat without losing its original properties.

Origin and description of the variety

The Crimean Rose potato was created by amateur gardeners specifically for growing on the Crimean Peninsula. To the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation variety not included because no special studies were conducted. The crop is grown for personal consumption in personal plots. Potatoes are not suitable for cultivation for sale due to the different size fruits and low transportability.

The amateur variety tolerates drought and heat. In the southern regions it is possible to harvest two harvests per season.

In Russia, potatoes are grown in any area with a hot climate on light sandy soils. In regions with short and cool summers, productivity decreases, and tubers lose their rich taste and attractive appearance.

The distinctive features of potatoes are collected in the table.

Reference. The most expensive potato in the world is called La Bonnotte and is grown on the island of Noirmoutier off the Atlantic coast of France. One kilogram costs about 500 euros, and the tubers have a surprisingly delicate taste. The crop is grown by hand and fertilized with seaweed.

How to grow a crop

Light sandy soil is best suited for growing Crimean rose. Although the plant grows well in dry conditions, regular watering significantly increases productivity. Planting material degenerates slowly, so seeds are collected from year to year without fear for the quality of the future harvest.

The crop needs organic and mineral fertilizing, loosening, weeding and preventive treatments against fungi and insects.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

In Crimea and other warm regions, potatoes are planted in the second ten days of March in warm soil. Re-planting is carried out immediately after the first digging.

Before planting in the holes, tubers are sorted out, small ones, damaged ones, and those with signs of rotting are discarded. Medium-sized specimens are suitable for planting. They are selected in the fall during the harvesting process and stored in separate boxes.

20 days before planting, the tubers are brought out into the light and pickled in a pink solution of potassium permanganate or a 5% solution of copper sulfate. Then they are soaked in growth stimulants (Zircon, Epin) and immersed in slightly damp sawdust. After 3-4 days, sprouts will appear at an air temperature of at least +14°C.

The selected area is cleared of plant residues, the soil is loosened and fertilized with humus and wood ash. As for mineral fertilizers, it is optimal to use nitrophoska (30 g), potassium sulfate (20 g), ammonium nitrate (20 g), mixed with 5 kg of humus per 1 sq. m. m.

In practice, the second option is also used - 40 g of superphosphate, 450 g of dolomite flour, 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of potassium sulfate, 10 kg of humus per 1 sq. m. m.

Reference. Potatoes absorb only 50% of nutrients when root feeding during the growing season. Therefore, farmers recommend enriching the soil immediately before planting tubers, and then carrying out foliar spraying with liquid mineral compounds.

Long furrows 15 cm deep are formed in the area and the tubers are buried along with sawdust, keeping a distance of 35 cm. Sprinkle a layer of earth on top and level it. Row spacing is 50 cm.

Care

Rules for caring for the Crimean rose:

1. The variety is drought resistant and does not require frequent watering. It is enough to water the bushes three times: upon reaching 15-20 cm in height, during the formation of buds and after flowering. In the future, the need for moisture is determined by the appearance of the tops - if they are limp, then it’s time to water the beds. For 1 sq. m - 50 liters of water. Potatoes are watered early in the morning.
2. Hilling is carried out once, after the bushes have formed and become stronger. Further hilling in the Crimean climate leads to the death of the plant.
3. Loosening and weeding are carried out five days after planting, then as needed.

Fertilizers are applied according to the following scheme:

• during the growth period of the tops - 10 g of nitrophoska or two handfuls of humus for each bush;
• during the budding period - two handfuls of ash and soil per bush or 30 g of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water;
• after flowering - 30 g of superphosphate, 200 ml of mullein per 10 liters of water, consumption per bush - 0.5 liters.

Nuances of cultivation and possible difficulties

To obtain a second harvest of potatoes, summer planting is carried out.. The formation and growth of tubers occurs in the fall. This creates favorable conditions for obtaining healthy, non-degenerate planting material suitable for use in the next season.

For summer planting, take tubers from the spring and summer harvest of the previous year. In 15-20 days, the seeds are laid out for germination on nets in the shade. Before this, long sprouts are broken off, and the tubers with thread-like sprouts are used for food needs.

Reference. Potatoes cut into pieces are not suitable for summer planting, since under conditions of elevated soil temperatures, and especially with a lack of moisture, seedlings will be rare and less productive.

Properly prepared potatoes, provided they are sufficiently moistened, quickly develop strong rhizomes and green mass. The period for planting potatoes is from June 20 to July 10, in moist soil fed with organic matter and minerals. Planting depth is 10–12 cm, according to the pattern - 70x25 cm.

Diseases and pests

The variety is immune to potato canker, blackleg, and common scab, but is susceptible to late blight of tops and tubers.

Signs of infection:

• dark spots on tubers and foliage;
• whitish pubescent coating on the back of the leaves;
• curling and wilting of green mass.

For the purpose of prevention, two weeks after planting, the plants are treated with Bordeaux mixture or sprinkled with wood ash.

Treatment:

• before budding - “Oxychom”, “HOM”, “Ridomil Gold MC” (two treatments with an interval of 10 days);
• after budding - “Bravo” (three times with an interval of 10 days);
• Before harvesting the tubers, they are treated once with Alufit.

Agrotechnical techniques for preventing infection:

• compliance with crop rotation;
• planting tubers at a distance of at least 30 cm;
• choosing an area with good ventilation;
• disinfection of planting material with potassium permanganate, copper sulfate, “Fitosporin” before planting;
• digging potatoes in dry, sunny weather;
• fertilizing with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers;
• control of nitrogen in the soil.

Potato tops are often affected by aphids and spider mites. For pest control use:

• insecticides - “Aktara”, “Konfidor”, “Aktellik”, “Danadim”;
• infusion of onion peel (200 g of raw materials, 50 g of soap shavings per 5 liters of water);
• tobacco shag (400 g shag, 25 ml of liquid soap per 10 l);
• ammonia (60 ml of ammonia, 50 g of soap shavings per 10 l).

Convolvulus cicadas, the main carriers of fungal diseases, also feed on the ground parts of potatoes. To destroy the pest, birds are attracted to the site (by scattering food), the plants are sprayed with the preparations “Prestige”, “Tabu”, “Akarin”, “Calypso”, “Decis”.

Helps fight the Colorado potato beetle:

• spraying with insecticides “NO Colorado potato beetle!”, “Aktara”, “Killer”, “Fitoverm”, “Korado”;
• manual collection in a jar with strong saline solution;
• dusting with birch ash (10 kg per 100 sq. m);
• mulching beds with fresh pine or birch sawdust;
• Irrigation of bushes with walnut infusion (300 g of dry leaves and shells per 10 liters of hot water, leave for 6-7 days);
• spraying with sunflower infusion (500 g of flowers per 10 liters of water, leave for three days).

Collection, storage and use of crops

The first digging of Crimean rose potatoes is carried out 40 days after full germination. Tubers reach technical maturity at 60-80 days. They are sorted and dried under a canopy, protected from direct sunlight, otherwise they will turn green.

Reference. The green color of the tubers is a sign of the presence of corned beef, a compound toxic to humans.

The harvest is stored in a cool place in boxes. Tubers do not lose their presentation and do not germinate for 3-4 months at a temperature of +4-6°C and an air humidity of 80-90%.

In the warm climate of Crimea and other southern regions, you can dig young potatoes until late autumn.

The product has an attractive appearance, excellent taste and pronounced aroma. The tubers grow small and medium in size. The skin is easy to clean, the pulp does not boil over and retains its structure. For lovers of small young potatoes, Crimean Rose is the ideal variety.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Crimean rose has many advantages:

• excellent taste;
• beautiful peel color;
• drought resistance;
• the possibility of cultivation in regions with a hot, dry climate;
• disease resistance;
• early ripeness;
• the ability to harvest twice a year;
• seeds do not degenerate;
• tubers are stored without losing their presentation.

There are much fewer disadvantages:

• tubers of various sizes;
• the variety is not suitable for cultivation in regions with cold climates;
• low transportability.

Reviews

Reviews about the Crimean rose variety are positive.The culture is loved by many for its excellent taste, attractive appearance and ease of care.

Anna, Gaspra: «The Crimean peninsula is famous not only for wine and purple onions, but also for delicious potatoes called Crimean rose. We grow it for ourselves year after year, and always get excellent results. We harvest twice. Potatoes can be cooked in different ways—frying, boiling, stewing, baking—and they don’t fall apart.”

Ivan, Astrakhan: “I became acquainted with the amateur variety Crimean Rose quite recently. A sister from Crimea shared the seeds. Since our climate is suitable for growing these potatoes, I planted several bushes in my dacha. The taste is 5 points, the fruits are of different sizes, but it doesn’t matter, I plant potatoes for myself. The crop is easy to care for; I water it once every 2 weeks and add fertilizer before planting.”

Pavel, Anapa: “My wife and I have a small family business. We grow vegetables for sale, including potatoes. The Crimean rose variety grows well here, does not require special care, and withstands drought. The tubers grow small and medium-sized, with pink skin and creamy flesh, very tasty and aromatic. The structure is preserved during heat treatment.”

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Conclusion

Despite the fact that the Crimean Rose variety is not included in the state register of the Russian Federation, this does not prevent gardeners from growing it on their plots.The culture has many advantages: the seed material does not degenerate, allowing you to obtain a rich harvest from year to year, the skin of the tubers is colored in an attractive pink color, and the pulp is creamy with pinkish veins and has an excellent taste.

The culture has strong immunity to cancer, scab, and blackleg, but is susceptible to late blight. Preventive treatment of seeds and bushes with potassium permanganate and copper-containing preparations helps to cope with infection. The fight against aphids, spider mites, Colorado potato beetles and cicadas is carried out using insecticides, herbal infusions and dusting with ash.