Popular varieties and hybrids of purple carrots

Purple (lilac, blue) carrots surprise not only with their color, but also with their beneficial properties: they contain many vitamins and microelements, are used as a medicine, and help with weight loss. Today you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of purple carrots, get acquainted with popular varieties, features of growing and storing an unusual crop.

Description of purple carrots

Purple carrots are attractive in appearance, but are valued for their rich chemical composition and beneficial properties.

Appearance and taste

Purple carrots belong to the Apiaceae family. The vegetable has green foliage with feathery leaves and a strong root shaped like an elongated and pointed cone. Its color comes in many shades of purple. Most varieties have an orange core. The size of the root crop is from 20 to 30 cm in length and 2-3 cm in diameter.

The taste is unusual, sweet, slightly spicy, with a pine aftertaste of rosemary. The pulp is juicy.

Origin and development

Until the 16th century, ordinary carrots were purple. The orange color we are used to is the result of the work of Dutch breeders. By growing purple carrots, we return to their original appearance.

Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins, beneficial properties

Purple carrots contain many vitamins and minerals. 100 g of vegetable contains:

• potassium – 200 mg;
• vanadium – 99 mg;
• chlorine – 63 mg;
• phosphorus – 55 mg;
• magnesium – 38 mg;
• calcium – 27 mg;
• sodium – 21 mg;
• sulfur – 6 mg;
• copper – 80 mcg;
• fluorine – 55 mcg;
• molybdenum – 20 mcg;
• nickel – 6 mcg;
• lithium – 6 mcg.

Carrots contain vitamins A, B, C, E, and beta-carotene. It is also characterized by a high content of anthocyanins - plant pigments that cause the purple hue of the root vegetable. The body does not produce them on its own.

Thanks to the presence of these beneficial substances, regular consumption of purple vegetables contributes to:

• strengthening immunity;
• strengthening the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
• improving metabolism;
• normalization of blood pressure;
• strengthening vision;
• reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels;
• improving the condition of hair, nails and skin.

Purple carrots are used in weight loss diets. It contains few calories and a lot of fiber, saturates well, improves digestion, and promotes the absorption of nutrients.

Features of application

In cooking, purple carrots are used in the same way as orange ones: stewed, fried, boiled, baked, steamed, added to soups, sauces, gravies, used in salads, juices and marinades. The plant is combined with different products - other vegetables, cereals, meat. The vegetable is often used to decorate dishes. Purple carrot food is tasty, healthy and easy to digest.

Ripening period

Purple carrot varieties are classified according to ripening time:

• early ones ripen 65-80 days after germination;
• mid-season - with a growing season of 100-110 days;
• late - the ripening period ranges from 120 to 140 days.

Productivity

High seed germination does not affect productivity purple carrots. The harvest volume is lower compared to orange varieties.

Disease resistance

Purple carrots are highly resistant to diseases, but are susceptible to bacteriosis, phomosis, septoria, brown spot, black, red, gray and white rot.

To prevent the development of diseases, seeds and soil are disinfected before planting. The tops of adult plants are sprayed with fungicides.

Also dangerous to the vegetable are insect pests: slugs, cutworms, carrot flies and wireworms. Treating the soil with chemicals in the spring helps combat them.

Growing regions and climate requirements

Purple carrots are grown in all regions of Russia. Some varieties are not suitable for growing in southern regions with hot summers, because at elevated temperatures they slow down development.

Comfortable temperature for growth is +20…+23°C. When raised, shading is required. Most varieties are tolerant to the cold, tolerates temperatures down to -4°C.

Popular varieties and hybrids

Below are popular varieties and hybrids of purple carrots:

1. Dragon. An early ripening variety with a growing season of 85-90 days. The outside of the root is bright purple, the inside is orange. Its length is up to 25 cm, diameter is within 3 cm. After heat treatment, carrots retain their spicy aroma and taste. Productivity – 5-7 kg per 1 sq. m. Dragon is adapted to cold climates and is unsuitable for long-term storage.
2. Cosmic Purple. A variety with an early ripening period - 60 days. The outside of the root crop is raspberry-violet, but the inside is completely orange. Length – within 20 cm. Carrots taste sweet and crispy. Productivity – 5-8 kg per 1 sq. m. The variety is often used fresh, since during heat treatment it loses its beneficial qualities and attractive appearance.
3. Purple haze. An early ripening variety, ripening 70 days after sowing. For winter storage, the crop is harvested after 100 days. The hybrid is characterized by a dark purple color on the outside and orange on the inside. The length of the root crop varies from 15 to 30 cm, diameter - up to 5 cm, average weight - 180 g. Productivity - 5 kg per 1 sq. m.
4. Purple. The growing season is from 90 days. The length of the root crop is about 25 cm, diameter is 4-5 cm, weight is up to 180 g. It does not lose color during heat treatment. Productivity – up to 7 kg per 1 sq. m. Despite early ripening, Purple carrots are suitable for long-term storage.
5. Purple Dragon. The root is purple-red on the outside and orange-yellow on the inside. Fruit length – up to 25 cm, diameter – 3 cm. The variety is recommended for use as a seasoning. Also added to salads, when canning. Productivity – 4 kg per 1 sq. m.
6. Queen purple. Hybrid with a late ripening period - 140 days. Vegetables begin to be eaten after 110 days. The outside is purple, the inside is orange. The length of the root crop is about 20 cm, diameter is 5 cm, weight is on average 200 g. Productivity is about 5.5 kg per 1 sq. m.
7. Caramel purple. Late-ripening variety - the growing season lasts 140 days. The root crop with purple pulp and an orange core grows on average up to 17 cm, diameter - about 5 cm, weight - up to 200 g. Productivity - 5-6 kg per 1 sq. m. Purple Caramel carrots are suitable for winter storage.
8. Chocolate bunny F1. Early ripening hybrid. The growing season is 60 days after emergence. The outside of the root is grayish in color, the flesh is purple or burgundy, and the core is bright orange. The length of the fruit is up to 30 cm, the average weight is 180 g. Productivity is about 5 kg per 1 sq. m.Chocolate bunny carrots are recommended to be consumed fresh.

Advantages and disadvantages of purple varieties

Purple carrots have significant advantages and minor disadvantages.

Advantages:

• ease of cultivation and low maintenance;
• high content of vitamins and microelements;
• long shelf life;
• medicinal properties;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• high seed germination.

Flaws:

• upon contact, the root crop turns purple;
• during heat treatment it fades, acquiring a brown color.

Difference from other varieties

Purple carrots contain more nutrients compared to other varieties, including carotene, anthocyanins, and antioxidants. Seeds These carrots have a high germination rate. But the yield is lower compared to other varieties. The taste qualities of the variety are also considered to be different: sweetness, juiciness and the presence of spicy notes.

Features of planting and growing

Planting carrots begins with preparing the seeds. To speed up the germination of seed, seed soaking, heat treatment, bubbling and burying are used.

Attention! Seeds are sown in open ground in early spring, when the top layer of soil warms up to +5°C.

Landing Features:

• if the soil is light, the seeds are sown to a depth of 20-30 mm, if it is heavy - at 15-20 mm;
• row spacing – approximately 20 cm;
• The gap between seeds in a row is about 2 cm.

Caring for growing carrots includes:

1. Loosening the soil. Purple carrots need to carry out this procedure regularly, starting with the first sprouts. Loosen the soil after rain.
2. Fertilizer application. During the season, it is enough to make 2 feedings.It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizers made from nettles, manure and compost monthly.
3. Thinning of seedlings. The first procedure is performed when 1-2 leaves are formed. Leave large sprouts at a distance of 2 cm from each other. The procedure is repeated when 2 pairs of leaves are formed on the bushes, the distance between the seedlings is increased to 4 cm.
4. Watering. At first, carrots are watered every other day. Afterwards, the number of waterings is reduced to once a week, and the ridges are watered generously.
5. Weeding. Weeds are removed manually as they appear.
6. Mulching. The procedure begins when the tops grow to 10-15 cm. Finely chopped grass is used as mulch. Repeat the procedure after 2-3 weeks. This reduces the number of weeds and improves the quality of root crops.

Differences in cultivation compared to conventional species

Purple carrots have better germination compared to regular carrots, so the seeds are sown at a distance from each other. After germination, the plantings are thinned out so that the root crops can develop freely.

Features of harvesting and storage

The timing of harvesting purple carrots depends on the selected variety. Most are suitable for long-term storage and has good keeping quality.

How and when to collect

Harvesting falls at the end of June - beginning of September. This is done in dry, sunny weather. Root crops are pulled out by hand or dug up with a shovel, cleared of earth clods and dried. Drying takes about a week.

Storage features and keeping quality of the variety

A basement or cellar is suitable for storing purple carrots, that is, a dark room with a temperature within 0 ... + 6 ° C and a humidity of 70%. Dry vegetables are placed in plastic or wooden boxes, sprinkled with sand, moss or sawdust so that the root vegetables do not come into contact with each other.

There is another way of winter storage. It involves glazing vegetables with clay. It is diluted in water to a creamy consistency, each fruit in turn is dipped into the mixture and dried. Dried carrots are stored until the next season without losing their beneficial properties.

Reviews

Gardeners value purple carrot varieties for their taste, beneficial properties, and ease of care.

Marina: “In the store, out of interest, I bought purple carrot seeds. For the experiment, I planted three rows. All seeds have sprouted. I cared for it like I cared for ordinary carrots. Next season I’ll plant more, I really liked the taste of carrots.”

Svetlana Igorevna: “I am aware of the medicinal properties of purple carrots and have been growing this variety in the country for several years. Purple carrots keep well, so they are a frequent guest on the table. I especially love fresh carrots; I make juice for my grandchildren.”

Conclusion

Purple is a natural color for carrots, indicating the presence of anthocyanins in large quantities in the vegetable. Lilac carrots have great nutritional value and medicinal properties. At the same time, it is unpretentious in care and easy to grow.