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Traditional human nutrition is difficult to imagine without potatoes. You can cook a lot of delicious dishes from it, so almost every gardener grows it on his site. In many countries, the Dutch variety Asterix fell in love and spread. This is a versatile potato that has many positive qualities. To get a complete picture of it, let’s get acquainted with its description, features, photos and reviews.
Origin
Asterix potatoes were bred by the Dutch breeders of the private company HZPC BV Holland, which is the world leader in the breeding and production of new varieties.
In 1998, it was included in the State Register of Our Country. Seed potatoes began to be actively imported into the country and sold. Now it is possible to cultivate Asterix in the Central, Siberian and Far Eastern regions. Not many varieties can be grown in these areas, so it is very much appreciated by gardeners.
Characterization
Asterix potatoes are an elite and versatile variety that has a late ripening period. From the appearance of the first shoots to the harvest, 105 – 115 days pass.
The appearance of the bushes
The bushes of this potato variety are medium spreading, erect and tall. The stems are ribbed, can grow up to 80 cm. The leaves are a rich green color, can be either medium or large. The edges are even, without teeth and waviness.
On each Asterix shrub, simple inflorescences are formed. They consist of red-purple flowers with a yellow center. Pollination occurs naturally. Berries are not always formed and in small quantities, fall off quickly. But their presence or absence does not affect the size of the crop.
Description of tubers
Asterix potatoes are medium in size and oval, slightly elongated. The weight of tubers can reach 80-120 g. One plant forms an average of 10 to 12 potatoes. A dense shell of a pinkish-purple color reliably protects potatoes from mechanical damage. On a smooth peel, you can see a small number of eyes.
The pulp is tender, bright yellow in color, has an excellent taste. Asterix, like almost all late varieties, contains a large amount of starch – from 15 to 17%.
Advantages
To make the idea of potatoes complete, we note its main advantages:
- It has a high marketability, from 80 to 90%, which allows you to grow a vegetable on an industrial scale.
- During heat treatment and cleaning, the pulp does not darken and does not crumble. Mashed potatoes from it are tender and fragrant, and chips are crispy.
- Brings a good and stable harvest.
- During transportation and impacts, the tubers do not crumple and are not damaged, as they have a dense peel.
- Potatoes are perfectly stored in cellars at a temperature of 6-7°C. It remains elastic, retains its taste and does not decrease in weight.
- The variety tolerates a lack of moisture and dry weather. Therefore, it is suitable for summer residents who rarely visit their garden plots.
- Asterix has good immunity to cancer, phomosis, leaf curl, golden nematode, late blight of green mass and tubers.
This type of potato belongs to the canteens, because it can become a decoration for both everyday and festive tables. From it you can cook a lot of hearty and beautiful dishes.
Disadvantages
Asterix has no significant disadvantages. Its main enemy is the Y virus, to which the plant is vulnerable. If the potatoes become infected with it, then, most likely, the plantings will die. To prevent this, prevention should be carried out. Young bushes need to be treated with insecticides. By destroying the pests that carry this virus, you can save the vegetable.
Also, among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that Asterix potatoes have a high cost and require increased attention.
Yield and maturity
Asterix has a long ripening period, the growing season is 105-115 days. For personal use, tubers can be dug up a little earlier, but then the harvest will be less.
This is a high yielding variety. On average, 17-20 tons of potatoes can be harvested from one hectare. The maximum yield was recorded in Tatarstan, where it amounted to 27 t/ha.
Agrotechnics
To collect a guaranteed harvest, you must comply with the requirements for growing potatoes. This is an agrotechnical moment that needs special attention.
Sowing should be carried out in late April or early May, depending on climatic conditions.
Site selection and processing
This is a photophilous culture, so planting potatoes should be located in open and sunny places. In the shade, its foliage will turn yellow, the tops will stretch, flowering will be weak, and the yield will be low. If the site is in a lowland, grooves should be made around it so that excess water does not accumulate on it.
Asterix can grow in any type of soil. In autumn, the garden must be dug up, weeds and rhizomes removed. The site can not be leveled, and clods can not be broken. In the spring, you need to plow the land again. Before this, it is desirable to scatter rotted manure and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers around the site. Or add them later, directly into the wells.
Asterix potatoes are recommended to be planted in areas where perennial grasses, flax, various legumes or winter crops grew.
Preparing the tubers
For planting, it is better to choose medium-sized tubers, weighing 40-50 g. The more eyes it has, the better the harvest.
A month before planting, Asterix seed potatoes need to be prepared. First, they are sorted, healthy tubers are left for planting, and rotten and sick ones are thrown out. For germination and gardening, the selected potatoes are removed to a warm room. To do this, it is laid out on the floor or in boxes in 1-2 layers and placed in sunlight. Such potatoes are less susceptible to diseases. When the sprouts grow to 5-10 mm, you can start planting.
Rules of landing
When planting Dutch Asterix potatoes, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- There should be at least 70 cm between rows. In order for the bushes to be well lit, they are formed from south to north.
- Tubers are planted at a distance of 30-35 cm from each other. So the bushes will be easier to spud.
- If mineral fertilizers were not applied to the soil during plowing, 1 tbsp. l. phosphorus-potassium mixture. You can also add ash and onion peel there.
- Tubers are recommended to be planted at a depth of 7 to 10 cm.
If the gardener adheres to these simple recommendations, the potatoes will meet his expectations.
Features of care
In the process of growing potatoes, Asterix carries out the following activities:
- Harrowing. It is carried out several times during the entire growing season. The first – a week after planting the tubers. This saturates the soil with air and helps to get rid of weeds.
- Hilling. The first hilling is carried out after the sprouts grow to 16-20 cm. The second hilling – in a month. This event increases the yield by a third. If late frosts come in spring, seedlings are completely covered with soil.
- Mineral supplement. To do this, potato bushes are watered with superphosphate dissolved in water. It develops and strengthens the root system, thereby accelerating the growth of tubers.
- Application of organic fertilizers. Manure is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 1. Leave for 15 days. Before watering, the resulting solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 10. After that, the soil is loosened.
- Watering. The Asterix potato variety does not require frequent watering. In arid regions, plantings are watered three times: after the appearance of sprouts, during the budding period and after the plant has faded.
If you regularly take care of the plant, at the end of the season you can get a high yield of elite potatoes.
Diseases and pests
Potato variety Asterix has good immunity to cancer, phomosis, leaf curl, late blight of green mass and tubers. Also, it is not affected by the cyst-forming and golden nematode, which parasitizes on the root system of nightshade crops.
This variety is vulnerable to virus Y, which is considered the most dangerous for all potato varieties. If the virus has infected the plant, then most likely it will die. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out prevention, which consists in the following:
- Weeds and plant residues of potatoes remaining after harvesting must be destroyed. They may be infected.
- Bushes of this variety must be treated with insecticides from aphids and leafhoppers, as they are carriers of the virus.
- Proper planting of Asterix with Y virus resistant crops will keep the site safe.
Potatoes can also infect the Colorado potato beetle. It can be harvested by hand or planted with special preparations to destroy it.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
The Asterix variety is worthy of attention, since it has more positive aspects than negative ones. It is recommended to be planted by experienced summer residents and gardeners, as it requires special care. Since potatoes tolerate transportation well and can be stored for a long time, they can be grown on an industrial scale. And dishes from it will decorate any table and delight with excellent taste and delicate aroma.
