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Seeds of the Dutch selection are well known to the farmer all over the world. They are famous for their excellent germination, high yield, excellent external and gustatory qualities of fruits, plant resistance to diseases. So, when choosing even such a common crop as carrots, it would be useful to pay attention to the seeds of this foreign producer. One of the brightest representatives of the Bejo breeding company, located in the Netherlands, is the Baltimore F1 carrot. The main characteristics and description of the variety are given below.
Description of the root crop
All varieties of carrots are usually classified according to variety types, in accordance with the external description, shape and taste of the root crop. Thus, the variety “Baltimore F1” belongs to the variety type Berlicum / Nantes, since it combines the following features:
- conical shape with a rounded tip;
- root length from 20 to 25 cm;
- diameter in section is 3-5 cm;
- average fruit weight 200-220 g;
- the surface is smooth, the skin is thin;
- carrots are distinguished by a perfectly even shape, uniformity;
- the pulp is moderately dense, juicy, with a high content of carotene, sugar, solids;
- carrots are bright orange in color, their core is thin;
- the root crop is used in the preparation of dietary and baby food, vitamin juices, and cooking.
Additional characteristics of the Baltimore F1 variety can be found in the video:
It is worth noting that “Baltimore F1” is a first generation hybrid and was obtained by crossing two varieties. Largely due to this, the root crop has not only excellent external, but also taste qualities, as well as some additional advantages. “Baltimore F1” is an improved analogue of the well-known hybrid “Nandrin F1”.
Agrotechnical features
The carrot variety “Baltimore F1” is zoned for the central and northern regions of Our Country. It is recommended to grow it on light, drained soils, such as sandy loam or loam. If necessary, the soil can be lightened by adding sand, peat, treated sawdust.
Rough, compacted soil does not allow the root crop to form properly and leads to deformations. Therefore, for sowing carrot seeds, high ridges should be used. The thickness of the earth in this case should exceed the length of the root crop (20-25 cm). In the subsequent stages of cultivation, carrots of the Baltimore F1 variety need regular loosening of the soil.
When choosing a place for growing carrots, special attention should be paid to illumination, because without sufficient sunlight, the vegetable grows small, frail. At the same time, the best predecessors for carrots are cabbage, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers. The optimal scheme for sowing the seed of the Baltimore F1 variety implies the formation of rows, observing a distance between them of at least 20 cm. Seeds should be sown at an interval of 4 cm. The depth of seed embedding in the soil should be 2-3 cm. large, even, long roots.
Care of crops
Planting carrot seeds in the ground is not enough to get a rich harvest. So, in the process of growing the root crop needs watering, loosening and thinning. Watering should be carried out with an equal time interval, approximately 1 time in 2-3 days. The volume of water used should be sufficient to moisten the soil to the depth of root germination. Compliance with these watering rules will allow carrots to grow juicy, sweet and without cracking.
Thinning must be carried out twice during the growing period of carrots:
- the first time in 12-14 days after germination;
- the second time 10 days after the first thinning.
Excess growth should be removed carefully so as not to harm the plants remaining in the soil. It is convenient to combine the thinning and weeding procedure with loosening carrots. During the cultivation period, carrots do not need additional feeding, provided that fertilizers are applied in the autumn. The high (up to 40 cm), strong tops testify to the usefulness and health of the grown carrots.
One of the advantages of the Dutch hybrid is its high yield, which can reach 10 kg/m2.
This feature, combined with high yields, makes the Baltimore F1 variety especially in demand among farmers.
Features of sowing seeds before winter
Many farmers prefer to sow carrot seeds before winter. This allows seeds to start growing in early spring, when the soil is as saturated as possible with moisture. With this unconventional cultivation, you can get an early harvest of high quality carrots in large quantities.
At the same time, for successful cultivation, the following rules must be observed:
- seeds should be sown in mid-November, when there is no likelihood of prolonged warming. This will prevent premature germination of the seed;
- furrows with seeds should be covered with dry, warm soil;
- the finished ridge must be covered with a layer (2 cm thick) of peat or humus;
- when snow falls, form an artificial snow “cap” on the ridge;
- in spring, for the speedy warming of the soil and the appearance of early shoots, snow can be removed;
- also, to accelerate the germination of overgrowth, the ridges can be covered with polyethylene or geotextiles;
- warmed soil in the spring should be slightly loosened without harming the rows with crops.
You can learn more about sowing carrots before winter from the video:
Variety “Baltimore F1” has excellent taste, external characteristics of the root crop and excellent agricultural technology. The yield of this hybrid is record high, which makes the crop especially in demand for cultivation by farmers. Such high qualities of carrots, combined with excellent taste, allow us to reasonably say that the Baltimore F1 variety, bred in Holland, is one of the best. That is why every year he has more and more admirers from among experienced and novice gardeners.
