Contents
Dutch Mozart potatoes are table varieties. Excellent proved itself when grown in the North-West, North Caucasus, Central Black Earth, Central and Volga-Vyatka regions of Our Country, Ukraine and Belarus.
Description
Bushes of the Mozart variety grow in different heights (from medium to high) and are formed by erect or semi-erect stems. Reddish flowers with a purple tint look quite large. The leaves are usually medium in size.
The term of maturing of root crops is 80-110 days. In one bush, 12-15 potatoes are formed weighing 100-145 g. The peel of the fruits of the Mozart variety is red, and the flesh is yellow (as in the photo). According to summer residents, potatoes do not boil too much, have a pleasant taste and are well suited for preparing a variety of dishes. Starch in Mozart potato roots is in the range of 14-17%. This variety is perfectly stored for a long time (keeping quality 92%).
Advantages and disadvantages
Potato variety Mozart is popular among summer residents and farmers due to simple agricultural technology and many other advantages:
- excellent taste;
- mid-early tuber formation;
- excellent commercial qualities;
- resistance to drought and heat;
- tubers tolerate long-term transportation well due to their high resistance to damage;
- insensitive to potato cancer, scab and golden nematode.
The disadvantage of the Mozart variety is its low resistance to late blight.
Landing
As soon as warm weather sets in, you can start planting Mozart potatoes. To collect a high yield, carry out several activities:
- In the fall, they prepare a plot allocated for potato beds. Weeds, vegetable residues are carefully removed. The soil is covered with a thin layer of compost and watered with EM preparations (Baikal-EM-1, Siyaniye, Vozrozhdeniye), which improve the soil structure, heal the soil, destroy pathogenic bacteria, increase the mineral nutrition of plants and the quality of fruits of the Mozart variety. After that, the soil is loosened. Such compost “dusting” of the soil accelerates the ripening of the crop by about two weeks.
- For planting, the tubers are carefully sorted: only large, whole and healthy ones are selected. To speed up the germination of potatoes, the seed is placed in a warm, lit place until powerful sprouts appear. Long sprouts should not be allowed to grow, otherwise they will simply break off when planting. Mozart potato planting material is sprayed with disinfectants (Prestige fungicide) and growth stimulants (Poteitin, Epin, Bioglobin).
If a plot of a small area is planted, then the holes can be made with a shovel. A common planting pattern: row spacing – 70-80 cm, in a row the distance between the pits – 30-35 cm. To maximize the germination of the Mozart seed, wood ash is placed in each hole, a little earth mixed with humus.
Care
Only timely and proper care for planting potatoes will be the key to a good and high-quality harvest.
The ground around the potato bushes should always be soft to ensure air access to the roots. The first time the beds are loosened 5-6 days after planting Mozart potato tubers. And repeat the process as needed – as soon as a dry crust forms on the surface of the soil.
The frequency of irrigation is determined by the climatic features of the region. If cool rainy weather has set in, then there is no need to additionally moisten the soil. In dry weather, slight wilting of the tops is a signal of a lack of moisture. In order to saturate the ground with high quality and provide water for planting Mozart potatoes, it is recommended to pour out about 45-50 liters of water per square meter of plot area.
In regions with hot, dry summers, it makes sense to organize a drip irrigation system for potatoes.
It is better to irrigate plants in the morning.
Hilling and top dressing
The selection and planting of seed are important stages in the cultivation of Mozart potatoes. But to get a high yield, you need to pay attention to the beds throughout the season.
Features of hilling
Experienced gardeners recommend hilling the beds of Mozart potatoes twice a season. The bushes are treated for the first time when the stems grow about 20 cm high. This procedure is repeated when the potato tops become 35-40 cm high.
If the need arises, then hilling is done more often. After all, this event significantly affects the yield of the Mozart variety. Thanks to hilling, the earth is loosened and the roots receive air. Earthen ridges allow additional tubers to start. Loosening the soil prevents it from drying out quickly, while weeds are removed.
If a high temperature has been established, then it is better to allocate morning time for the procedure and pre-moisten the potato beds.
How to fertilize
The Mozart potato variety belongs to the middle late ones, therefore it especially needs to be fed during the period of green mass growth and tuber setting. It is most effective to use a local method of fertilizing. Thus, useful substances will go directly to the root system.
In order not to make a mistake with fertilizing and get a good yield, it is recommended to feed Mozart potatoes three times a season:
- During active vegetation, a mixture of humus (15 cups) and urea (10 tsp) is used. This composition is sufficient to process a ten-meter potato row.
- To stimulate the formation of buds and flowering of the Mozart variety, a combined composition is used: 30 tbsp. l of wood ash is mixed with 10 tsp of potassium sulfate. The dose is calculated for a bed 10 m long.
- In order to actively form tubers, a solution of mineral fertilizers is used: in 10 liters of water, dilute 2 tbsp. l superphosphate and potassium sulfate and 1 tbsp. l nitrophoska. Half a liter of fertilizer is poured under each bush.
It is not recommended to use organic matter during the flowering of Mozart potatoes, as this causes increased growth of weeds.
Diseases and pests
The development of diseases in Mozart potatoes is caused by fungi and bacteria. The most common are:
| Symptoms of the disease | Methods of treatment | |
| Late blight affects the leaves of the Mozart variety. Appears after flowering bushes | Favorable conditions – cool rainy days. The first symptoms are dark brown spots on the lower leaves. Gradually rots the whole bush | The main way to fight is preventive measures. Crop rotation rules are followed, tomatoes are not planted nearby. It is effective to spray Mozart potato bushes with chemicals – a solution of a mixture of copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture |
| Blackleg is a bacterial disease | The lower part of the stem is painted black. Favorable conditions – cool wet weather. Tops and tubers rot | Diseased bushes are removed with roots. Prevention: the seed material is warmed up and germinated before planting. Potato tubers of the Mozart variety are also dried before storage. |
| The Colorado potato beetle eats the leafy mass of bushes. The main damage is caused by larvae | Adult insects hibernate in the soil and appear when the air warms up to + 12-18˚С | Insects are collected by hand. Spraying of potato beds with chemicals is also used: Tsimbush, Dilor, Volaton |
Harvesting
Approximately 15-20 days after flowering, it is recommended to bend the stems at a height of 10-15 cm from the ground. So that photosynthesis does not stop, and the plant does not wither, Mozart potato stalks do not break completely. This technique can significantly increase the yield of potatoes. Since plant substances will not fully enter the top of the bush, but “return” to the roots. But this method can only be applied to healthy plants.
As soon as the lower leaves of the tops turn yellow, you can mow them. After 7-10 days, they begin to dig potatoes. Harvest is not harvested immediately for storage. In dry weather, the tubers are left on the field to dry. If the weather is damp or rainy, then Mozart potatoes are best spread out under cover. The crop must be sorted. Tubers are selected separately for future planting. Do not leave damaged, sluggish or diseased potatoes for the winter.
Wooden containers that are ventilated are suitable for storing crops. Boxes are installed in a dark, dry, cool room.
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