Early ripening potato variety with a high shelf life "Red Sonya"
An ideal potato variety should be suitable not only for personal consumption, but also for sale. Red Sonya belongs to these varieties. Hardy, with excellent commercial characteristics and easy to transport, the variety is suitable for growing on a personal plot and in industrial quantities.
Description of the variety
Early ripening potatoes with increased shelf life has clear advantages over other types of this common vegetable.
Origin and development
The variety Red Sonya was bred by German breeders. In 2015, it was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia.
Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins
Contents of the BZHU 100 g raw potatoes:
- proteins – 2 g;
- fats – 0.4 g;
- carbohydrates – 18 g.
Included contains a full complex of amino acids. 100 g of potatoes contain 20 mg of ascorbic acid; during storage, the figure decreases to 30% of the original volume.
Other varieties of early ripening potatoes:
Useful minerals:
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- sodium;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- cobalt.
One tuber contains from 0.8 to 1% ash, starch content - from 12 to 15%.
Ripening period
Growing season from full germination to ripening is 50-65 days. You can try the first tubers already on the 45th day.
Productivity
Red Sonya is a high-yielding variety. One bush produces up to 10 large fruits, the average yield is from 175 to 350 centners per hectare.
Disease resistance
Variety shows low susceptibility:
- to black spot virus;
- stem cancer;
- nematode;
- scab;
- late blight of tubers;
- black leg.
Potato not affected by leaf curl.
Characteristics of tubers, description of appearance
The average weight of one fruit is from 120 to 200 g. The tubers are oval in shape and have a rich red skin with a smooth texture. The pulp is light yellow or yellow in color, does not become soft when cooked, the eyes are located on the surface, without creating problems during cleaning.
For which regions is it suitable, climate requirements?
I agree with the State Register data, the variety is intended for planting in North Caucasus and Volga-Vyatka region. However Red Sonya is not picky about soil and climatic conditions, therefore it is successfully cultivated in almost all regions of Russia. In the south it produces two harvests, and is successfully grown in other regions - provided that the plantings are properly cared for.
The main advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Positive qualities of the variety:
early ripening;- excellent taste and product characteristics;
- high productivity;
- a small number of eyes;
- excellent keeping quality;
- ease of transportation;
- resistance to pests and diseases;
- possibility of mechanical harvesting;
- undemanding to the growing region and soil.
Flaw – mandatory germination of tubers to obtain an early harvest.
What is the difference from other varieties
Red Sonya differs from other types of potatoes:
- increased resistance to diseases and pests;
- early ripeness;
- almost complete absence of small tubers.
Besides, Potatoes hardly soften when cooked.
Features of planting and growing
Rich harvests are obtained only when ideal conditions are created. It is important not to plant potatoes after nightshade crops.
Preparing for landing
Before planting, the tubers are germinated:
- seed material is removed from storage 25-40 days before planting day;
- Defective, diseased, dried tubers are removed from the batch;
- each vegetable is washed with running water and disinfected in a solution of boric acid;
- dry in a dark, well-ventilated area;
- The tubers are heated for three days at a temperature of 25°C;
- laid out in wooden or plastic boxes with holes and placed in a bright place;
- Cover the top with gauze to prevent the potatoes from drying out.
For the active appearance of sprouts, the tubers are sprayed several times: a weak solution of potassium permanganate, followed by an extract from ash. Germination is carried out at 18-20°C, then the temperature is lowered to 14°C. After a month, the sprouts should be 2 cm - if the desired size is not reached, add lighting.
Important! Two days before planting, the tubers are hardened. The boxes are covered with black cloth and sent to a room with a temperature of 12°C.
Soil requirements
The best yields are obtained from loose, fertile soil enriched with mineral fertilizers. The soil must be moisture-absorbing; in dry and clayey soils, productivity decreases.
Before planting potatoes, the area is plowed, fertilize with manure, rotted humus, and bird droppings. In the fall, the beds are sown with green manure, and in the spring they are plowed into the soil.
Read also:
Early ripening potatoes "Colette", bearing fruit twice a season
Dates, scheme and rules of planting
Potato planting time depends on the region:
- in the south of Russia - early April;
- in the central zone of the Russian Federation - the first week of May;
- in the northern regions - early June;
- in Ukraine – mid-April;
- in Belarus - from the second week of April.
Planting is carried out after the soil has warmed up to 8°C with an average daily temperature of 10°C. Optimal planting scheme:
- at 100 m2 – 430 tubers;
- in light soil to a depth of 8 cm, in heavy soil - 5 cm;
- the distance between furrows is 75 cm, between tubers – from 30 to 32 cm.
After filling the furrows, the area is mulched compost, straw, peat. This procedure is necessary to preserve moisture and protect the roots from temperature changes.
Features of cultivation
The variety does not require large amounts of nitrogen-containing fertilizers – he grows and develops well without them. The regularity of fertilizing depends on weather conditions and soil characteristics, preliminary preparation before planting.
Nuances of care
Red Sonya potatoes require timely watering, fertilization, pest and disease control. Weeding and hilling play a big role in obtaining a large harvest.
Watering mode
Moistening is carried out as the soil dries. Timely watering will reduce the number of small tubers and increase the number of marketable potatoes. For high-quality soil moisture, it is recommended to use a drip system.
Top dressing
Additional fertilizer application is reflected in the weight of each tuber. If the land was well prepared before planting, then fertilizing is not needed throughout the growing season. If necessary, apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.It is not advisable to fertilize with nitrogen mixtures and fresh manure.
Fertilize according to the scheme:
- 2 weeks after planting potatoes;
- during the formation and growth of tubers;
- 21 days before harvest.
At the beginning of the growing season, potato bushes are fed with a solution of cow manure, which helps activate the growth of stems and leaves. Later, potash fertilizers are used, a mixture of “Superphosphate” and potassium sulfate. Before harvesting potatoes, a complex type of fertilizer is used, which subsequently allows you to extend the shelf life of the tubers.
Important! Urea and humates are suitable for periodic foliar feeding.
Weeding and hilling
Important agrotechnical techniques in growing potatoes - loosening the soil and removing weeds. Large tubers form better in loose soil. Loosening of compacted soil is carried out after each watering. Weeds are removed mechanically or manually.
Hilling up Red Sony is carried out according to the algorithm:
- after the shoots reach a size of 8-12 cm;
- 20-25 days after the first procedure;
- when the bush grows to 25 cm or more.
Repeat as necessary. If there is a strong growth of bushes and the tubers are visible on the surface, repeated hilling will be required. If this is not done, the potatoes will turn green and become unfit for consumption.
Disease and pest control
The main problem of the variety is damage by rhizoctonia.. This disease responds well to treatment with Fitosporin.
The most dangerous pests include Colorado beetle. Insecticides must be changed every year - the insect quickly adapts to any poison and becomes immune. For treatment, it is recommended to use the drugs “Euphoria” and “Connect”.
Harvest and storage
If the requirements for harvesting and maintenance conditions are met, Red Sonya gives good indicators for the shelf life of the crop.
How and when to collect
14 days before the scheduled harvest day, the tops are mowed, which contributes to the formation of rough skin and dry eyes in tubers. During this period, the potatoes finally ripen: such tubers are ideal for long-term storage.
Cleaning is scheduled on a sunny day so that the tubers have time to dry. Towards evening they are removed into the shade, where they are left for 2-3 days. Potatoes are harvested towards the end of August or at the very beginning of September. The exact schedule depends on the growing region.
Storage features and keeping quality of the variety
After excavation, selection is carried out: remove diseased, damaged tubers. Potatoes are sorted into marketable and non-commercial. The tubers are treated with drugs against fungal infections and dried in the shade for 2-3 weeks.
Prepared tubers are divided into small and large and placed in different containers. They are sent to storage at a temperature of +2...+4°C - they will not germinate there. Standard indoor humidity should be between 70 and 85%. If all conditions are met correctly, the potatoes will be stored for about 8 months.
What difficulties may there be when growing
Red Sony's main problems:
- small tubers - grow with improper pre-treatment of the site, lack of sufficient moisture, lack of nutrients;
- destruction of bushes by diseases and pests - in case of non-compliance with crop rotation, lack of preventive measures.
Advice from experienced gardeners and reviews about the Red Sonya variety
Experienced farmers advise for obtaining large volumes of harvest:
- apply phosphorus fertilizers in an amount of 100 kg per hectare;
- feed with potassium at the rate of 200 kg per hectare;
- add magnesium in increased dosage.
Reviews about the variety are positive, its cultivation and storage does not cause difficulties for gardeners.
Svetlana, Sortavala: “I planted this variety for testing, fertilized it a couple of times, and watered it well. The potatoes grew large and quite tasty, and there was a good harvest. It was stored for 7 months, only a couple of spoiled tubers.”.
Elena, Armavir: “For the last three years I have been planting only Red Sonya. I sell some, and keep some for myself. During drought, the tubers grow small - you need to periodically water and feed them. In my area, you can harvest two crops: first planted under film, and then in open ground. Stored well, completely satisfied with the variety".
Andrey, Syzran: “I was looking for potatoes with a long shelf life. I read the description of the Red Sonya variety, looked at the photo of the potato and settled on it. Surprisingly, the safety was almost 95%. I liked that I didn’t have to periodically go through all the tubers in the basement and pick off the sprouts.”.
Conclusion
Red Sonya is a variety suitable for growing in gardens and large farms. Easy care, persistent resistance to most diseases and good shelf life have led to the widespread distribution of German potatoes in Russia.