Growing potatoes, gardeners try to choose varieties that have proven themselves best in a particular area. On different soils, even one potato variety behaves differently. First of all, the yield is the main characteristic of the crop. Therefore, the choice of a variety without taking into account the structure of the soil and climatic features will be irrational.
Among the mid-late varieties, Merlot potatoes should be distinguished, the description of the properties of which is the purpose of our article.
Characteristics of a variety
Potato Merlot is a mid-late variety of German selection. The growing season lasts from 95 to 115 days, so harvesting takes place no earlier than the end of September. The description of the Merlot potato variety should begin with the appearance and taste of the tubers. After all, this parameter is the most important for potato growers. Nobody wants to grow tasteless or ugly potatoes.
- Merlot potato tubers, according to summer residents, have an elongated oval shape and a beautiful dark red skin. The peel is uniform in color, slightly reticulated. The tubers are very uniform and even in size. Slight depth of eyes. The weight of tubers ranges from 80 g to 140 g.
- The flesh is yellow. The grade is very much appreciated for resistance of pulp to darkening when cut. It is convenient for housewives to prepare potatoes for cooking in advance and not worry about their appearance.
- This is a table variety with excellent taste. The tubers are medium-boiled, which allows you to cook dishes with whole potatoes. According to vegetable growers, in the description of Merlot potatoes, it is imperative to include the ability of tubers to retain color and aroma during the cooking process. Dishes from this variety are always distinguished by an amazing taste and smell.
- Sufficient starch content is another valuable characteristic of Merlot potatoes. Thanks to its percentage (15,5% – 16,2%), the tubers are ideal for any kind of cooking.
But not only these indicators are important for potato growers. An important characteristic of the Merlot potato variety, which comes out on top in the reviews of summer residents, is productivity. The expediency of planting a crop on the site depends on it. The variety has a stable and high yield. According to the observations of agrarians, it easily adapts to the soil and climatic features of the region in which it is grown. With a good level of agricultural technology, more than 500 centners of tasty potatoes are harvested from one hectare.
The second important indicator is storage capacity. Mid-late varieties, including Merlot, keep well. They ripen later than early varieties, so they are able to lie for a long time.
The variety is also distinguished by an enviable resistance to diseases that pester gardeners. Among them are black leg, potato cancer, rhizoctoniosis, golden potato nematode. Even to phytophthora, moderate susceptibility is noted.
On this description of the Merlot potato variety, you can finish and see the photo of the finished product.
In order to obtain all the listed characteristics of Merlot potatoes at the output, it is necessary to correctly perform all the points of agricultural technology:
- preparation of tubers for planting;
- landing;
- care during the growing season;
- harvesting.
Let’s consider each stage in more detail.
Proper planting varieties
As soon as the decision is made to plant Merlot potatoes on the site, you must immediately begin the selection of seed.
Potatoes weighing at least 70 g are chosen for planting, otherwise the yield will be reduced. This is the weight of potatoes the size of a chicken egg. It is possible to calculate the approximate amount of the harvested crop, given that from 6 to 10 tubers ripen in one bush.
If you still decide to germinate the tubers, then this is done no later than 2 weeks before the scheduled planting date. And the term for planting Merlot potatoes is calculated not only according to the lunar calendar, but also monitor the heating of the soil. It is best to choose days when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm will be at least +8°C.
The distance between tubers when planting potatoes of the Merlot variety is maintained at least 35 cm, and between rows – 60 cm. If these figures are reduced, then it will be more difficult to properly hill potato bushes.
The recommended planting depth for the Merlot variety ranges from 9 cm to 15 cm, depending on the type of soil. On heavy – 9 cm, on light – 12 cm, on peaty – 15 cm.
Now let’s start the landing process.
First, select a site. It is important that the previous crop was not tomatoes or potatoes. Reproduction of the culture by tubers leads to the fact that pathogenic microorganisms can accumulate in them. Another negative factor is damage to the leaf mass by the Colorado potato beetle, which is the cause of the weakening of the tubers. Therefore, one should not forget about the periodic renewal of seed material and crop rotation.
Merlot potatoes should be planted in a well-lit area. Make sure that there are no tall trees nearby that will obscure the plantings.
Choose a site so that it does not have acidic soil, potatoes do not like such soil. Before planting, be sure to dig the soil to a depth of 25-28 cm, and if the earth is heavy, then 20 cm will be enough.
Arrange the furrows from south to north.
When digging, add organic matter – ripened compost, humus. For 1 sq. meter of area is enough 4 kg of the substance with the addition of 30 g of nitroammophoska.
Keep track of the groundwater level. When they are close to the surface, choose a ridge landing method.
And one more recommendation – before planting, soak Merlot tubers for half an hour in a solution of Maxim preparations, copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid.
Care instructions
Start by loosening the row spacing, which will be trampled at the time of planting. This will make it possible to remove weeds even before the emergence of potato sprouts.
The Merlot variety responds very well to competent watering and nutrition. It is these points that should be given the main attention. If you decide to hill the bushes, then this procedure can be done before the plant begins to bloom. The stem at this time coarsens and ceases to form stolons. You can limit yourself to mulching to protect the soil from excessive evaporation of moisture and overheating.
The degree and regularity of watering Merlot potatoes depends on soil moisture. Plants experience the greatest need for moisture in the phase of tuber formation. This moment begins during the flowering period of the bush. If at this time there is no rain or they are very scarce, then additional watering is required. Usually the tops tell the gardener that watering is required. The leaves lose their elasticity and begin to wilt. It is convenient to water in the furrows and until the soil is moistened to a depth of 45-50 cm.
Feeding. During the season, you will need to feed Merlot potato bushes three times.
The first time this is done during the period of active growth of potato tops. The need for such top dressing is determined by the condition of the plants. If the development is weak, then they are fed. If the bushes are powerful and healthy, then the first feeding can be skipped. For root nutrition, it is enough to prepare a composition of 1 teaspoon of urea, 1 tablespoon of Effekton and 10 liters of water. One plant consumes 0,5 liters of the composition.
The second time Merlot potatoes need nutrition is during the bud formation phase. For 10 liters of clean water, take 1 cup of wood ash and 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate. This composition stimulates the formation of flowers.
The third time the potatoes are fed to stimulate tuberization. It is carried out at the time of flowering, and for the composition they take 1 tablespoon of superphosphate and Effekton, diluted in a bucket of water. Spend 0,5 liters per plant.
Such nutrition is problematic to implement in large areas. In this case, top dressing with dry fertilizers will help out.
Reviews
Reviews of gardeners and photos will help to supplement the description of the Merlot potato variety.