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Everyone who grows vegetables on their own tries to select crop varieties according to the ripening time. This technique provides gardeners with fresh produce all season long. Early vegetables serve to replenish nutrients in early spring, when the body has already used up its reserves. Early Zhukovsky potato is a high-yielding variety bred by breeders.
The task of the scientists was to develop such potatoes, which, despite the early ripening period, had an excellent taste, did not boil soft and was resistant to extreme conditions. After all, early varieties are in special demand. Young potatoes are loved for their unique taste and nutritional properties. And although such a product is seasonal, this does not stop gardeners in search of new varieties of early potatoes. Despite the short shelf life, early potatoes are considered a valuable supplier of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the Zhukovsky variety became a real victory for breeders.
Distinctive features of the variety
The potato variety Zhukovsky is quite well known.
This is one of the early maturing early varieties, with a guaranteed yield on soils of different composition and under a wide variation of climatic conditions. After the appearance of the first shoots, only two months pass, and you can feast on the first root crops. Among the main distinguishing characteristics of Zhukovsky potatoes are:
- Neat beautiful appearance of tubers. The peel on them is pink, smooth, absolutely even and thin. Sometimes there are potatoes of the Zhukovsky variety of rich red color. Each tuber has a weight of at least 165 g and a very harmonious, round-oval shape, retains a dense texture when cooked (does not boil soft). The eyes are small, few, red, located over the entire surface. The flesh of the tubers is white, does not darken when cut. Potatoes are resistant to damage, the presentation is preserved during long-term transportation.
- hive structure. The plant is semi-spreading, in height it is of medium size. Bush with few strongly branched stems. The leaf mass is dark green with large leaves. The leaves are large with well-developed veins, dissected. Potato Zhukovsky blooms briefly and plentifully. The flowers are red-purple with white tips. Inflorescences are compact, elegant. Does not form fruits.
- nutritional value. The early potato variety Zhukovsky contains up to 15% starch, a whole range of vitamins, bioflavonoids, organic acids and fiber. Potato tubers Zhukovsky can be considered a complete source of protein and minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium). Calorie content is quite low, practically does not contain fat and cholesterol.
- Productivity. This indicator is distinguished by the stability and quality of potatoes harvested per unit area. For farms or organizations it is up to 600 c/ha. With private plantings, the yield is measured by the number of tubers obtained from one bush. Variety Zhukovsky allows you to collect more than 10 tubers from one plant.
- Resistance to diseases and pests of potatoes. The most common are cancer, scab, rhizoctoniosis, nematode. Early potato Zhukovsky perfectly resists these formidable dangers. It shows resistance to late blight, Alternaria, viral diseases a little worse, but sufficiently to preserve the crop.
- Unpretentiousness. Potato Zhukovsky, a description of which can be found in specialized literature, differs from other varieties in its excellent resistance to drought and low temperatures. This is a valuable quality of early potatoes, because they are planted during unstable weather. And violations of watering will not lead to crop loss.
- Storage Ability. This characteristic is valued in potatoes of any ripening period, but for early species it is considered very important. Getting an early harvest, and even keeping it longer is the dream of any gardener. And with potatoes Zhukovsky it is possible within 8 months. Naturally, subject to storage conditions. In addition, Zhukovsky early resists mechanical damage well. Therefore, do not be afraid that a small scratch will cause the death of the root crop.
The list of advantages of early potatoes Zhukovsky is quite impressive. Growing this variety is a pleasure. But, it is better to get acquainted with the nuances of agricultural technology before planting.
Getting ready for landing
Seed potatoes are prepared for cultivation. The tubers must be sorted and germinated. When sorting, soft, damaged, very small (less than 80 g) root crops are removed. Tubers should not be cut to increase the amount of seed. You can significantly reduce or even lose the characteristics of the Zhukovsky variety.
Then the seed tubers are placed for germination. To do this, use boxes, bags, or simply lay the tubers in bulk under the film. Provide temperature in the range of +4° – +20° and diffused lighting. You can achieve it by covering the potatoes with a white cloth, paper, newspapers. When germinating at room conditions, you will have to add turning and moistening Zhukovsky potatoes. Simultaneously with moistening, disinfection is carried out using ordinary potassium permanganate. Disinfect tubers at least once a week.
Treated against pests and diseases. For this purpose, chemical disinfectants are used that repel parasites and protect Zhukovsky from diseases.
The quality of germination can be traced to the appearance of sprouts. If sprouts of about 1 cm appeared on the tubers, then we can assume that everything was done correctly.
When planting by hand in a small area, you can reduce the ripening period of the Zhukovsky variety. To do this, it is enough to place the tubers in peat, you can wet sawdust. Under such conditions, the root system develops faster. Another way is to cover the plantings with ordinary agrofibre, which protects young plants from frost.
A week before planting potatoes, Zhukovsky dig up the soil. It is best if it is a well-lit area. The composition of the soil does not really matter, but planting the Zhukovsky variety in one place for several seasons in a row is highly discouraged.
Features of care and harvesting
Growing early potatoes Zhukovsky will not force you to sit at agronomy textbooks. It is enough to follow the main stages of care for the variety to thank with a large harvest. The necessary actions are:
- Weeding between rows and loosening the soil. They start, if necessary, immediately after planting the seed potatoes Zhukovsky. So that weeds do not clog seedlings, it is necessary to remove them in time. Loosening improves the air permeability of the soil and promotes better plant development.
- Comprehensive pest control. Parasites such as the Colorado potato beetle and the mole cricket can cause great damage to potato beds. Variety Zhukovsky does not have immunity against these insects, so you will have to take measures to scare or destroy them.
- Watering. The drought resistance of early potatoes Zhukovsky still does not save vegetable growers from watering. It can be carried out moderately, but in case of drought – at least 5 liters per linear meter of the bed.
- Hilling. An important stage in the care of potatoes Zhukovsky. The tubers are protected from excess moisture, the root system is aerated. Carry out hilling several times. Necessarily during the flowering period, then as needed. This procedure also keeps the bushes from falling apart.
Be sure to go around the site in time to notice the first signs of diseases, damage to plants. This technique allows you to control the regularity of watering, weeding, loosening and hilling.
The description of the Zhukovsky variety contains information that the potatoes are ready for harvest after 60 days. At the end of July, it is recommended to cut the tops. Root crops are already formed, and this procedure will protect against late blight. Zhukovsky potatoes can be harvested mechanically. Its resistance to damage allows it. Store tubers in a dark room at a temperature of +2 – +5 degrees.
It is recommended to keep the specified temperature range, otherwise it will not be possible to save the crop. After all, Zhukovsky is an early potato variety, which is usually not subject to long-term storage.
It is possible to achieve maximum productivity of the Zhukovsky variety in almost any region and on any soil. The main condition will be compliance with the recommendations.
Reviews
The best characteristic that distinguishes the Zhukovsky early potato variety is the reviews of vegetable growers: