round carrot

Not everyone has seen carrots with round fruits, but you can not only examine it, but also grow it yourself and taste it. These amazing fruits are extraordinarily tasty, they will decorate any table, and will also be accepted with pleasure even by those children who categorically refuse to eat this healthy root crop.

Short description

“Orange radish” is what some kids call it. However, when they see such carrots in the picture, some summer residents will think that:

• she can’t grow up like that;
• it was created by masters of genetic engineering.

These are all common misconceptions. Such carrots have been known for a very long time, at the beginning of the last century they were met in the beds of some foreign villages and towns. Of course, we now owe a lot to breeders that they develop new varieties designed for our growing conditions, to increase yields and provide resistance to some dangerous viruses and diseases. Most of the hybrids and varieties that you see on the shelves of gardening stores today are grown by breeders.

As a rule, all varieties of round carrots are early ripe, the taste is high. Of course, it will not be able to be stored for a long time, since it is grown directly for fresh consumption.

Historical information

The most famous round carrot varieties from the past, which are no longer grown today, are Grelo (Germany), Khibiny Greenhouse (Our Country), and Davanture (France). They were planted in closed ground. The seedlings were afraid of the cold, so if they were planted in open ground, then only after the soil had warmed up to +15 degrees Celsius.

But with an excess nitrogen content, the growth of the root crop stops, the tops begin to grow. Even long varieties of carrots can become round and unsightly.

breeders have bred several varieties of round or almost round carrots based on the Karotel variety, which has gained wide popularity.

Varieties of round carrots

Since cylindrical orange carrots are very popular in Our Country, it is impossible not to notice that any varieties of an unusual shape or color are purchased with some caution. Most often, summer residents express their doubts about the ease of cultivation and productivity. Let’s talk about everything in more detail, considering several varieties and hybrids. Among the most popular today:

• “Parisian”;
• “Paris market”;
• “Rondo”;
• “Polar cranberry”;
• “Parmex”;
• “Round Baby”;
• “Granddaughter”.

Let’s consider each of them in detail to find out whether it is profitable to grow such root crops or the summer resident should be guided only by his own interest.

“Granddaughter”

Carrot round variety “Granddaughter” is known not so long ago. It has excellent taste qualities: juiciness, pulp density. The fruits are round in shape, their skin is quite smooth. The root crop of this form is quite small, grown for canning and fresh consumption. Like children. Which, of course, is a plus: the fruits are leveled, resistant to flowering.

Sometimes it seems that there is little use in such cultivation, but in canned form, the root crop looks very impressive. If the hostess wants to surprise guests, this variety is perfect. Early ripening, 80-90 days is enough. Ideal for open ground, standard growing conditions.

“Parmex”

This early ripe variety is demanding not only to the sun and looseness of the soil, but also to the relative “freedom” in the beds.

The rounded fruit is tender and good for frying, as it lacks sufficient moisture. In general, the purpose of this variety of carrots is universal. It can be fried, canned, consumed fresh, put into juices and mashed potatoes. Of all that will be presented today, this variety is less sweet. Sometimes this is important for those who are harmful sugar. It matures in 100 days and is demanding on the sun and looseness of the soil.

“Rondo”

Bright orange fruits will please everyone who tries them for the first time. The color indicates that the composition includes a large amount of carotene. Round varieties of carrots can rightfully be called the most useful, since the content of vitamins in each of them is very high.

The fruits are small, as, indeed, and all the rest. In diameter, they reach only 3-5 centimeters, and when ripe, the shoots are friendly and the fruits are aligned. The hybrid itself was bred by Czech breeders and is ideal for open ground. Sowing is carried out as a standard, in April and May, depending on the weather conditions of the region. Resistant to bolting, 85 days pass from the moment the first shoots appear to technical maturation. This is enough to plant this round carrot in central Our Country.

“Parisian”

Round varieties of carrots do not differ in size. Perhaps the breeders did not set themselves the goal of creating new products in order to increase productivity. Here, other moments play a role: the creation of an interesting variety of carrots that would decorate any table. “Parisian” is just as small, in diameter it does not exceed 5 centimeters.

It is often called the “Parisian round”, it grows well both on light, loose soils and on heavy ones in conditions that are categorically not suitable for this crop. The thing is that the fruits do not need to grow down, as is characteristic of root crops, due to this they do not lose their shape. The variety is ultra-early, ripening under optimal conditions occurs after 75-85 days. At the same time, carrots do not crack, they are used both fresh and for processing.

“Round Baby”

Often this variety is found under the name “Romeo baby”. In fact, they are both represented by the same plant: small rounded carrots. In the West, such fruits are usually called children’s, hence the name. It is offered for breakfast to the younger generation in the family. As a rule, all small carrots are juicy and sweet.

The skin of this root crop is not smooth, has tubercles, carrots are unpretentious in cultivation and can ripen even in heavy soils. The texture of the pulp is tender. Ripens very quickly, does not crack.

This is an imported hybrid, it is not found in our stores. However, it is often ordered in online stores.

“Paris market”

Variety of Dutch selection, which is demanding on heat, looseness of the soil. You can try to grow such round carrots in more severe conditions, while properly caring for them. The skin of this root crop is smooth, the flesh is very tender, painted in bright orange.

The fruits of this variety reach a diameter of only 3-4 centimeters, ripen in a short period (up to technical maturity only 75 days), resistant to a large number of standard diseases. Does not crack, has a sweet taste, juicy. In the ground can be planted in April-May on a site well lit by sunlight.

“Polar Cranberry”

One of the varieties of round carrots, created specifically for the northern regions of Our Country, where the summer is very short. Round carrots are small, so they ripen quickly. In addition, it can grow in difficult conditions in which other root crops of this species would grow unsightly. An ultra-early carrot, Polar Cranberry ripens in just 65 days. Seeds are sown in the ground, depending on the weather conditions of the region, from April to May. Do not worry, because in July you can harvest.

The planting pattern for this variety is standard. What is especially important for the Urals and Siberia: the seeds germinate at a temperature of +3-4 degrees, which is considered extremely low temperatures for carrots. The pulp has a high content of carotene, so it is bright orange. It also contains a large amount of sugars. The fruits of carrots will not lie for a long time, but they can be completely canned, used in salads, soups or for frying.

Conditions for growing early ripening varieties

Let’s talk about growing. Let’s pay attention to the precocity of round small carrots. It is not very demanding on soil looseness, but loves sunny areas. Some varieties are quite suitable, as we have noticed, for cultivation in the north of the country, and this is very important.

Requirements for the mineral composition of the soil

Above, we have already touched on the topic of mineral fertilizers for carrots. She loves them very much. So, it is worth making top dressing in such quantities:

• calcium – 4 grams;
• potassium – 5 grams;
• phosphorus – 1,3 grams;
• nitrogen – 3,2 grams.

Fertilizers are applied in advance based on the minimum yield of the carrot variety that is planned to be grown. Don’t go overboard with nitrogen. Also, do not apply organic fertilizers, especially manure, because it makes the soil heavier, making the fruits ugly.

Requirements for watering carrots

This culture loves moisture and does not tolerate dryness. However, you need to be careful here, because excessive moisture will destroy the plant. Compliance with the norm of watering, especially in a humid climate, is the key to a rich harvest.

Carrots grow in depth, like all root crops. There, in the ground, she is looking for moisture. If there is enough water and in excess on the surface, growth will stop. This does not apply to round varieties of carrots, but it is better not to risk it. At the stage of fruit formation, this is strictly prohibited. Don’t forget about diseases and viruses.

A few more tips are shown in the video below:

Conclusion

Round varieties of carrots look great in a jar if canned, in whole salads, when frying and stewing, as well as in soups. The only disadvantage of such carrots is the yield. Due to the small size in this parameter, it will always be inferior to long varieties.