Characteristics of Red Sonya potatoes
The dream of every avid gardener is a generous harvest and easy care of crops, including potatoes. Growing this vegetable will be an especially enjoyable process if you pay due attention to the correct choice of the type. Consider the Red Sonja potato bred in Germany and its features.
Characteristics of Red Sonya potatoes
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
An early seed variety pleases with its fast ripening (50-65 days) and an interesting appearance. Oval fruits of pleasant yellow color have bright red smooth skin. Yield indicators say that from one hectare you can get up to 450 centners of fruits.
It stands out against the background of other varieties due to the following advantages:
- Maturation takes place much faster than any other species.
- The density of the pulp prevents the fruit from boiling over during cooking.
- Red is very resistant to viruses, nematodes. Not prone to potato cancer.
- Resistant to late blight, shock and falls.
In fact, the only disadvantage that he possesses is the defeat of rhizoctonia. For the prevention of the disease, it is necessary to ensure that a tomato, clover, cabbage, or sugar beet are not planted nearby.
Planting potatoes
The quality of the crop directly depends on the quality of the soil. Red develops and bears fruit only in loose soil saturated with minerals.
Experienced gardeners say that it must be planted at a distance of only 30 centimeters between bushes and 75 centimeters between rows.
Preparing for landing
As a rule, they are engaged in planting when the soil is warmed up to 8 degrees. Accordingly, days with a constant 10-degree air temperature are ideal for planting.
Early sprouted tubers will help ensure an early harvest. One month before the intended planting, they should be moved to a room that will always keep warm. And immediately before planting, you need to carry out a preventive etching against rhizoctonia.
Dusting with ash will also help to increase yields and protect the fruits.
Important points
There are several factors to keep in mind:
- The vegetable needs air. In light soil, it should be planted no more than 8 centimeters, and in heavy soil - 5.
- It is better to sit up with the side with more eyes.
- If you have to cut the fruit for planting, it is recommended that each half has at least three grooves with growth buds.
Potato care
Good harvest with proper care
Loosening and watering is especially important for proper maintenance. The moisture content of the soil must be monitored carefully, since the soil should always remain moderately moist. Under no circumstances should it be dry or too flooded.
Before starting harvesting Red, ten days before that, the tops will have to be removed from the site. This will help make the skin stronger, stronger. This procedure is much faster and easier than chemical treatment.
Another feature of the variety is that an increased amount of nitrogen fertilizers is not required. If the amount of dressings and their regularity depend on the quality of the soil and are not the basis for care (the introduction of cow manure or bird droppings during planting is quite enough), then Red should be treated with prophylactic agents as often as possible.
Pest control
Despite the fact that in describing the advantages of the variety, the main point is disease resistance, gardeners still need to protect the plant. It is enough for this to purchase special remedies for potato diseases, for example, late blight.
It is also worth protecting potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle. This pest is capable of depriving you of the entire crop in a short time. For processing a vegetable garden, it is recommended to take into account some simple rules:
- Be careful. Do not keep food, drinks nearby, or spray poison in the presence of children.
- A special sprayer must be used.
- The best weather for such a procedure is dry and calm.
- Processing is carried out at least one month before the time of harvesting potatoes.
Conclusion
Red Sonia is undoubtedly one of the best varieties for home growing. Its great taste will brighten up any dish. Especially good for baking or roasting.
All its characteristics, including fast growth, ease of maintenance, good harvest, make it a favorite of gardeners.