Description and characteristics of the Laperla potato variety
The Laperla potato variety arrived in Russia from Germany and immediately gained unprecedented popularity among entrepreneurs. The reason for this was not only high rates of fruiting, but also the possibility of obtaining a double harvest. And summer residents fell in love with the variety for its ease of care and rich taste.
Let's get acquainted with the description of the variety, photos and reviews, and also study the agricultural technology of German potatoes.
Characteristics of the variety
Potatoes Laperla (La Perla) – early table variety.
The bush is medium-sized, erect, with moderate spreading. Initially, seedlings grow slowly, but later growth accelerates. The leaves are rich green, moderate foliage. Potatoes bloom with medium-sized purple-red flowers with a light tint.
The genes of the plant contain high resistance to diseases such as Rhizoctonia and leaf roll virus. Under unfavorable factors, seedlings may be affected by late blight.
Distinctive features
From other varieties of Laperla potatoes characterized by ultra-early ripening and high yield – up to 400 c/ha. Full maturity occurs 50-65 days after sowing.
With the necessary care and following all the rules, the harvest can be harvested twice. Entrepreneurs noticed this feature, and soon the variety took its rightful place among the most productive crops.
Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins
It is well known that potatoes can replace bread. But few people know about the nutritional value of the vegetable. First of all biological value lies in the high content of vitamin C (up to 25%) and potassium and phosphorus salts. The vitamin composition complements the content of B vitamins, in particular folic acid (B9). In addition to vitamins, potatoes contain organic acids: malic, oxalic and citric.
All microelements contained in tubers are necessary for full life activity human body.
Description of tubers
Average weight – 80-130 g, round-oval shape, yellow peel color. There are a small number of eyes, the occurrence is superficial. The pulp is light yellow (lemon) with a low starch content (up to 14%), does not darken during heat treatment. The taste is high, so potatoes are suitable for preparing any dish.
In the photo on the right are Laperla potatoes.
Tubers have high resistance to mechanical damage. Transportability is excellent; ripe vegetables retain their presentation and taste when transported over any distance.
Vegetables have a long shelf life yield of commercial products – up to 95% from the entire harvest.
Productivity
Despite the early ripening with proper cultivation of the soil, the yield reaches 400 c/ha. But this figure is not the limit. It increases on light and fertile soils.
Also Climatic conditions influence crop yields. The warmer the area, the richer the harvest will be.
One bush forms 15-20 tubers. All potatoes are even, smooth, beautiful. There are relatively few non-commodity items.
Other potato varieties:
High-yielding potatoes "Farmer" with minimal care
Growing regions
To grow the variety Regions with warm climates are suitable. This is the South of Russia, as well as the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine.
If Laperla potatoes are not picky about the composition of the soil and can take root even in heavy soil, then In cool climates, yields are noticeably reduced.
Landing dates
Typically, potatoes begin to be planted in late April - early May.. But this is only possible if return frosts or prolonged rains are not forecast. If the forecast is unfavorable, planting is postponed until the daytime temperature reaches +16...+18ºС, and the soil temperature rises to +10...+12ºС.
Reference. The plant does not tolerate frost well. Cold soil will ruin all seed.
Advantages and disadvantages
The popularity of potatoes among summer residents and entrepreneurs is determined by numerous advantages:
early maturity;- the ability to harvest twice;
- simple agricultural technology;
- ability to bear fruit in any soil;
- high fruiting rate;
- excellent taste and presentation;
- long shelf life of finished products;
- resistance to long-term transportation;
- universal application;
- resistance to mechanical damage.
The disadvantages include susceptibility to late blight. But with proper care, the likelihood of disease is reduced to a minimum.
Features of planting and growing
The crop tolerates drought well, but sudden cold snaps have a negative impact on plantings. By planting the plant in light and fertile soil, the yield can be significantly increased.
Pre-sowing preparation
A month before sowing, seed preparation begins – choose tubers weighing no more than 100 g.Damaged potatoes are not suitable for planting; choose only smooth, light-colored ones without visible damage.
After a thorough examination the tubers are laid out in a bright room with a temperature of +15...+17°C for germination. Ungerminated seed material will not sprout.
Low temperatures during germination will result in thin, defective sprouts that will be vulnerable and brittle at planting time. Temperature control is required if you want to get healthy and strong seedlings.
Seed material is considered ready for planting when the sprouts reach 2 cm. Before sowing, potatoes are treated with the drug “Fitosporin”. This is a contact fungicide that performs preventive work against fungal diseases.
Reference. In addition to Fitosporin, the tubers are treated with a growth stimulant to accelerate germination.
Planting scheme and technology
The soil for potatoes is dug up twice: in the fall after harvesting and in the spring before planting. During autumn digging, the soil is saturated with humus and wood ash, increasing the fertility of the soil. In the spring, ash with humus is also added two weeks before sowing.
Planting scheme: 35 cm – distance between seedlings, 70-75 cm – between rows. With this sowing technology, the risk of developing fungal diseases is reduced. Place a little humus at the bottom of each hole and sprinkle soil on top.
Reference. Tubers are planted with their sprouts facing up so that they do not become oppressed.
Further care
All agricultural technology is reduced to standard procedures and does not cause any difficulties.
Watering mode
In normal weather, the plant is watered no more than once every 10 days.. Water moderately, adding 1.5-2 liters of water under each bush.
Abundant watering is carried out during flowering and tuber formation.. During this period, each seedling requires at least 3-4 liters of water.
After watering, the moistened soil is loosened and weeds are removed.. Potatoes are hilled three times a season. It is best to do high hilling, thereby protecting the developing tubers from the penetration of ground pests. Also, a high ridge will protect them from sunlight, which causes the potato skins to turn green.
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Feeding
Timely fertilizing helps plants strengthen their immunity and increase fruiting.
Since seedlings develop slowly, nitrogenous substances are added, which accelerate the growth of green mass. During flowering, the crop is fed with a full range of minerals or organic matter. From organic matter, bird droppings (1:10) are used, which are applied to the rows after abundant watering.
During the fruiting period, potassium elements are added to accelerate ripening. Plants also need phosphorus at this time.
Important! No fertilizer is applied to dry soil. Plants are fertilized only after abundant moisture.
Diseases and pests, preventive methods
Late blight affects not only the seedlings themselves, but also the tubers. It is difficult to cure diseased plants, so prevention begins soon after planting. It involves moderate watering without exceeding humidity, loosening, hilling, weeding and timely fertilizing.
In addition to these procedures, systematic spraying with the antifungal drug “Fitosporin” is carried out. Also, with the help of “Fitosporin” they fight the disease. Along with the preventive function, the drug has a therapeutic effect.
Some gardeners seed material is sprinkled with wood ash, which also protects plantings from fungal spores.
Dangerous pests – mole cricket and Colorado potato beetle. If the Colorado potato beetle can be seen and its reproduction can be prevented, then with the mole cricket everything is more complicated, because it moves underground and destroys roots. It cannot be seen, but it is possible to prevent its occurrence. To do this, crushed cloves of garlic or Medvetox granules are dug into the ground, the smell of which repels insects.
The Colorado potato beetle is collected by hand along with its larvae. The seedlings are examined carefully from all sides, since the larvae are located on the back side of the leaves and remain invisible during a superficial examination. When there is a large concentration of the Colorado potato beetle, use the drug “Prestige” or “Confidor”.
Difficulties encountered during cultivation
If you notice plants such as sorrel or blueberries on your site (and you did not plant them), then the soil on your site is highly acidic. Many cultivated plants, including potatoes, will not produce a good harvest on such soil. Acidity is reduced by adding dolomite flour or slaked lime.
Potato will delight you with healthy growth if you plant it in the beds where it was previously grown winter crops or legumes. After them, the soil is saturated with nitrogen, which promotes the full development of plants from the nightshade family.
Harvest and storage
Before harvesting, the tops are cut off, leaving 10-15 cm. The potatoes are dug up carefully so as not to damage the tubers. Before storing, thoroughly dry it and only then put it in a cool, dry room. Vegetables are stored in spacious wooden boxes.
The percentage of keeping quality of the Laperla variety is up to 95 of the total mass. Product yield is 95-97%.
Due to its universal use, this variety is in high demand.
Advice from gardeners
Advice from experienced gardeners will help beginners in proper care:
- After harvesting the potatoes, plant oats, peas and mustard in these beds. They complement each other perfectly and saturate the soil with useful substances. Oats with mustard are adapted to frost and stand until November. In spring, the beds, filled with useful elements, are ready for planting.
- In the fall, plant winter rye in potato beds. In the spring, it will emerge as a green carpet and improve the health of the earth, preventing the growth of weeds and destroying pathogenic spores.
Reviews
Positive reviews about the culture of many gardeners leave no doubt about the choice of variety.
Ivan, Moscow region: “I learned about La Perla potatoes from photos and descriptions on the Internet. The characteristics interested me, so I decided to plant the variety in my garden. I was pleased with the end result. The fruiting is rich, the vegetables are tasty, and care during the growing season is quite simple. What else does a summer resident need?
Elena, Tver region: “I really like the taste of potatoes. I can use it to cook whatever my heart desires. I boil, fry, stew, add to salads, bake, make pie filling. The taste is always bright and rich, regardless of heat treatment. In a word, potatoes are universal and healthy.".
Conclusion
German Laperla potatoes are grown not only for personal consumption, but also on an industrial scale. The possibility of obtaining a double harvest increases the popularity of the variety among entrepreneurs. Potatoes are loved for their high taste and biological value. In addition, the culture does not require complex care and is immune to many dangerous diseases.