Mid-early potato variety with high yield “Sante”

Mid-early potatoes are marked by the ideal combination of high yield and pleasant taste. Among the large number of such varieties, Sante occupies a special place. Its distinctive feature is its unpretentiousness and the possibility of cultivation in almost all Russian regions.

Before planting this popular variety, it is worth learning about the peculiarities of its cultivation and the requirements for agricultural technology.

Description of the variety

This is a mid-early table variety of Dutch selection.. It was added to the State Register in 1993. The ripening period from the moment of planting is 85-90 days. It has good yield and pleasant taste.

A peculiarity of the chemical composition is the low proportion of starch in tubers (only about 14%). The variety is rich in vitamin C, microelements and amino acids. When cooked, the tubers of this variety do not become soft, so they are suitable for frying, fries, and chips.

Productivity recorded up to 500 c/ha. The variety is immune to most diseases and pests, but is susceptible to scab and late blight.

One the bush can produce up to 20 potatoes of round or oval-round shape. The weight of the tuber reaches 150 g.

Appearance of Santa's potatoes:

• thin yellowish peel;
• there are many ocelli, but they are shallow and located superficially;
• When cut, the tubers are yellowish in color.

Potatoes are undemanding to growing conditions. It loves warmth, but does not tolerate drought well. Recommended for cultivation in regions with warm but not dry summers.Optimally suitable for the Central, Volga-Vyatka, Ural, North-Western, Far Eastern regions.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Obvious advantages of the Sante varietythat made it popular:

• high productivity;
• high percentage of shelf life;
• great taste;
• good presentation and safety during transportation;
• resistance to rot and nematodes;
• practically not susceptible to damage by wireworms.

But the variety also has disadvantages.:

• does not tolerate frost well;
• gives low yield in cold summers;
• has average resistance to diseases affecting leaves.

Subject to the rules of agricultural technology and suitable weather The main difference between this variety and its analogues is the increased yield and presentation.

Features of planting and growing

First stage - preparing seed material and soil for planting.

Manure must be added to the soil - a source of potassium. Additionally, the soil is fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers. This will stimulate the development of the root system and stems. The place for planting Sante potatoes is chosen to be dry and well-lit. The soil is recommended to be loose and fertile.

Optimal potato precursors:

• cabbage;
• cucumbers;
• pumpkin;
• zucchini;
• legumes.

You shouldn’t plant potatoes after peppers, eggplants and tomatoes., since they are affected by common pests and diseases.

Site preparation begins in the fall. This process includes:

• digging;
• removal of weeds and stones;
• application of mineral fertilizers.

In the spring, before planting, the area needs to be dug up again. and remove emerging weeds.

Important! Sante is a heat-loving variety, and therefore, when determining planting dates, it is taken into account that the air temperature during the day should be no lower than 14°C.Night frosts can ruin the planting. It is optimal if the soil warms up to 10 cm in depth. In Russia, this variety is most often planted after the May holidays.

Small-sized seed material is selected for planting, about the size of a chicken egg. Too small potatoes, which are usually left for seed, lead to lower yields.

Before planting, Sante is germinated for 3-4 weeks.. This way you can get early and friendly shoots. For germination, potatoes are lifted from storage places into a bright room with an air temperature of 15°C. Before planting, the sprouts should not be more than 0.5 cm, otherwise they will break off when moved.

Potatoes are being planted Sante at a distance of 35-40 cm from each other, because it has a developed root system. The row spacing is 50-60 cm. This gives a reserve of soil during hilling, and the bushes themselves will not obscure the light. In dense clay soils, Sante is planted in prepared ridges to a depth of 5 cm. If the soil is sandy, the planting depth is 13-15 cm.

Nuances of care

The variety loves regular watering, but dry soil before the first hilling promotes the development of the root system. Too much water will wash away all the beneficial substances deep into the soil. Therefore, when watering, you should not spill the soil more than 40 cm.

After hilling, the soil is kept moist so that strong and even tubers are formed. To maintain moisture, it is recommended to mulch the crops.

To get a good harvest regularly carry out fertilizing, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. You should not apply manure too often, since excess nitrogen leads to active growth of the green part of the bush with a decrease in yield.After planting, humus is added with the addition of urea. During budding - potassium sulfate and wood ash. During the flowering period - “Superphosphate”.

Mandatory agrotechnical measures are weeding and hilling. With the help of hilling, it is possible to saturate the soil with oxygen. This is especially important if the potatoes are growing in dense soil. Hilling is necessary to increase the volume of the root system and yield.

The bushes are hilled for the first time when their growth is 10-15 cm, the second time - after 3 weeks. It is better to carry out the procedure in the evening, since the leaves of the potatoes are located vertically and are more difficult to cover.

Disease and pest control

To preserve the harvest, it is necessary to recognize pests and the first signs of diseases in time.. For prevention, potatoes are treated with fungicides against fungi before planting.

From Colorado beetles manual collection helps, as well as special chemical traps made from potatoes. Treatment with special preparations will not hurt either. The best remedy for combating the Colorado potato beetle is Intavir. Since this insect can sleep in the soil for several years, you should not plant potatoes in the same place earlier than after 3 years.

Against wireworm Autumn planting of mustard helps in the area where potatoes will be planted in the spring. It is recommended to add “Bazudin” to the holes before planting.

To prevent blackleg disease Before planting, tubers are treated with Fitosporin-M. To prevent scab - with the drug "Agat-25".

Difficulties in growing

The main difficulty in growing this variety is cold summers or residual frosts.. The variety is a heat-loving crop and when it gets colder it reduces yield.

In all other respects, Sante is considered unpretentious, therefore it is suitable for cultivation in private households and large agricultural firms.

Harvest and storage

Optimal harvest time - when dry, sunny weather set in and all the bushes withered. If the weather is humid, after harvesting the tubers should be spread out to dry for several hours.

Sante potatoes are best stored in plastic or wooden containers at a temperature of +2…+5°С. The shelf life of this variety is 92%, which distinguishes it from others. Humidity in storage areas should not be higher than 70%.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Growing tips from experienced gardeners:

• when planting, choose unshaded, well-lit places;
• harrow twice per season;
• choose soils that are light and saturated with oxygen;
• Start harvesting 80 days after planting.

Reviews about the Santa variety

Gardeners speak positively about the Sante variety, noting ease of care.

Maxim Lvovich, Pskov: “I have been growing Sante potatoes for 5 years now. The yield is high, 16-18 tubers per bush. The main thing is not to plant too early - it does not tolerate even light frosts. I usually plant closer to May 20th".

Peter, Tver: “For the last 2 years, I have been growing Sante potatoes on my farm plot for sale. It has an excellent presentation and does not deteriorate during transportation. The photo of Santa potatoes and the description of the variety correspond to reality. I get a beautiful, even harvest. I use insecticides against Colorado. It is better to water the plantings regularly, especially in hot summers - the variety does not tolerate drought.”.

Conclusion

Sante potatoes, like all mid-early varieties, are popular among gardeners and farmers.It is characterized by increased productivity, ease of care and a high percentage of shelf life. The commercial qualities of tubers do not change for several months after harvest.