Mid-late table potato variety "Ragneda", adaptable to any soil
Potato varieties differ not only in yield and ripening time, but also in their ability to adapt to different types of soil. There are varieties that can be grown in all regions of Russia. One of them is Ragneda.
Description of the variety
The mid-late variety Ragneda appeared recently and has already become popular among gardeners. Growing such potatoes requires more labor than cultivating early varieties, but the taste and keeping quality of the crop are worth the effort.
Origin and development
The variety was bred by breeders of the Scientific and Production Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Potato and Fruit and Vegetable Growing. Produced by crossing the Charodei variety and form 1579-14.
Reference. In 2011, the Ragneda variety was registered in the State Register of Russia.
Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins
Potatoes contain proteins, vitamins and mineral salts. Vitamin C is enough to meet your daily requirement if you eat 200-300 g of potatoes per day.
The tubers contain a complex of vitamins B, folic acid, potassium salts, phosphorus, organic acids - citric, oxalic and malic.
Attention! The peel of potato tubers and its aerial parts contain a toxic substance - solanine. There is especially a lot of it in sprouted tubers. Do not eat green tubers - this is a sign of high concentrations of solanine.
Ripening period
Ragneda potatoes are a medium-late variety with a ripening period of 95 to 110 days from the moment the first shoots appear. This time is enough for the tubers to ripen well.
The harvest begins 30-40 days after the end of flowering, when the tops turn yellow and dry out. One to two weeks before harvesting, mow the above-ground part. This is necessary so that the tubers are stored better.
Disease resistance
Ragneda is resistant to most common diseases. The variety is moderately resistant to late blight and leaf curl virus. Copes well with potato canker, Alternaria blight, and golden cyst nematode.
Important! Another advantage of the variety is resistance to mechanical damage. This allows you to transport crops over long distances without loss.
Characteristics of tubers and description of the bush
Ragneda forms a tall bush with several stems reaching 85 cm. The stems are thick, erect, and light green in color.
The leaf blade is round in shape, tapering towards the apex. The surface of the leaf is corrugated, with a small edge and convex veins.
The flowers are white, forming panicle-shaped inflorescences.
Characteristics of Ragneda potatoes:
- the tubers are round, elongated in the shape of an oval, the peel is yellow;
- the weight of a ripe tuber is 70-120 g;
- Ragneda potatoes contain 17.5% starch, so when cooked they become moderately crumbly and retain their integrity;
- the peel is thin, durable, with small, few eyes;
- the pulp is dense, cream-colored;
- after cleaning and at the cut site it does not darken.
The average yield is 187-353 c/ha. Under favorable conditions for growth and development, you can get up to 430 c/ha, from one bush - 15-20 pcs.This feature should be taken into account when planting potatoes and plant tubers at a greater distance than usual.
Growing regions
The variety is recommended for cultivation in the North-Western region: Vologda, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov regions, the Republic of Karelia.
Its unpretentiousness allows you to get a harvest in different regions of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Benefits of Ragneda potatoes:
- adapted to the temperate climate zone;
- frost-resistant;
- in case of minor damage, replaces the affected shoots with new ones;
- can go without watering for a long time;
- medium-sized tubers are suitable for mechanized harvesting;
- high productivity;
- immunity to many common potato diseases;
- stored for 8-9 months;
- The keeping quality of tubers is 97%.
The disadvantage of the crop is that under unfavorable weather conditions the formation of small tubers with watery pulp is possible.
What is the difference from other varieties
If we compare Ragneda with other mid-late varieties, it is a leader in many respects: it is unpretentious in care, resistant to many common potato diseases, and does not lose its taste for a long time.
Features of planting and growing
The Ragneda variety requires compliance with certain rules during cultivation.
Preparing for landing
3-4 weeks before planting, the seed material is sorted and inspected. Sick, small and weak tubers are discarded. The potatoes are then laid out in the light for germination.
Soil requirements
Most soil types in the temperate climate zone are suitable for planting Ragneda potatoes. Light, crumbly soil is preferred.Heavy loamy soils are undesirable for planting. The area should be well lit: tubers in beds with insufficient lighting will be smaller.
In spring, the soil is dug up with the addition of manure. When choosing a site for potatoes, use the rules of crop rotation: good yields can be achieved by planting in beds where grain crops, alfalfa, clover, legumes, cabbage or pumpkin were previously sown.
Important! Do not use areas where tomatoes grew to plant potatoes. Common pests and pathogens remain in the soil.
Dates, scheme and rules of planting
Seed material is planted in early - mid-May, depending on weather conditions. The soil temperature should be at 8-10°C.
Ragneda bushes are spreading, so the distance between tubers must be maintained up to 35 cm. The rows are placed at a distance of 70-90 cm. The depth of the hole is 15-17 cm. The planting material is sprinkled with peat on top and then with soil.
Features of cultivation
When growing the Ragneda variety, standard agricultural techniques are used. For high yields, potatoes are fed 2 times per season.
Important! Do not allow excess moisture in the area where potatoes are growing. As a result, the tops will lose their elasticity and break easily, which will lead to a decrease in yield. Do not plant in swampy or flooded areas.
Potatoes are a heat-loving plant. The optimal temperature for the formation of tubers is +15…+22°C.
Watering mode
Ragneda is a drought-resistant variety, so it does not require frequent watering. Water it on hot days twice a week. When buds appear and during the flowering period, water more often. If the weather is rainy, no irrigation is carried out.
Top dressing
The Ragneda variety will grow and form tubers without feeding, but in order to get a good harvest, you need to apply mineral fertilizers twice a season: “Nitrophoska”, ammonium nitrate.
The first feeding is done when the bushes reach medium size, the second - a month after the first.
Weeding and hilling
Two weeks after planting, the first shoots appear, but the weeds will emerge within 4-5 days. At this moment, you need to loosen the soil with a rake to remove the emerging weeds without harming the tubers.
Ragneda is spudded three times:
- when the sprouts reach 8-12 cm;
- at the moment of closing the bushes;
- two weeks after the second hilling.
Hilling promotes the formation of additional roots, conserves moisture in the soil, and reduces the number of weeds.
Disease and pest control
Ragneda is resistant to many diseases, but there are a number of viruses that affect this variety:
- Virus Y. It is carried by aphids during hot, dry summers. It is manifested by the death of the entire bush along with the root system.
- Rhizoctoniosis. Fungal infection appears at low temperatures and high humidity. Identified by black spots on the leaves and lower parts of the tops. Planriz is used to fight the disease.
Insects that can harm potatoes:
- Colorado beetle. To combat it they use Arrivo and Confidor.
- Wireworm. As a preventative measure, loosen the soil and remove weeds in a timely manner.
- Aphids and mole crickets are destroyed using the chemicals Boverin and Medvetox.
Difficulties in growing
Too moist, heavy soils can cause tubers to rot. Climatic conditions in Russia are not always favorable for potato cultivation - prolonged rainfall or drought are possible.
Harvest and storage
In order for the grown crop to please you for a long time, it is important to harvest it correctly and on time.
How and when to collect
Technical maturity of tubers occurs at 95-110 days. The tops begin to turn yellow and dry out. This period falls in mid-September. The tops are pre-mowed.
When cleaning Avoid mechanical damage to tubers. Potatoes collected from the garden are dried and sorted.
Storage features and keeping quality of the variety
Harvest store in a dark place at a temperature not higher than +5°C and air humidity of 80%. Subject to potato storage conditions retains quality until May.
Advice from experienced gardeners
Experienced gardeners when growing Ragneda potatoes recommend:
- choose a sunny, unshaded area;
- dig up the soil in the fall with the addition of compost and wood ash;
- a week or two before planting, germinate the tubers;
- do not allow excess moisture in the beds.
Reviews
Reviews about this variety are most often positive; gardeners recommend it for cultivation.
Mikhail, Sortavala: «I have been growing potatoes in my summer cottage for many years. Including the Ragneda variety. But there is one soreness that does not spare any variety. This is late blight. It is known that it will not exist on soils rich in copper. Here's how I fight late blight: before planting, I treat the tubers with copper sulfate. And when the tops appear, I spray them too.”
Vasily, Vologda: “When, on the advice of a friend, I tried to grow Ragneda, I was pleasantly surprised: the variety is resistant to our weather conditions and pests, and produces a decent harvest. I would recommend it even to beginning gardeners.”
Marina, Lodeynoye Pole: “I found a description of the variety and a photo of Ragneda potatoes on the Internet and started growing them 4 years ago.The variety is high-yielding, I take about 2.5 kg from one bush. It has other advantages too. First of all, taste. The tubers are well preserved in the cellar almost until the next harvest.”
Conclusion
The Ragneda variety has proven itself to be high-yielding, disease-resistant, and most importantly, able to adapt to various types of soil. The varietal characteristics allow it to be grown not only for home use, but also for sale.