Potatoes Deva: variety characteristics, taste, reviews

Pros and cons of the Virgo variety

Virgo potatoes, like any variety, have positive and negative qualities. The positive characteristics of Virgo potatoes include:

• high fruiting;
• resistance to diseases and temperature changes;
• unpretentiousness in care and soil quality;
• good taste and presentation;
• universal application.

The variety has no disadvantages.

Reviews

Tatyana says: “I didn’t know about the potato variety “Virgo” before, I bought the seeds by chance and planted them. In the first year, the variety showed itself well. The potatoes have grown to medium size, are easy to peel and have a good taste. You can puree it and add it to soup. I’ll repeat the planting next year.”

Oksana from Rostov speaks positively about the variety: “It’s an excellent potato variety, it suits me completely. He withstood the drought very well, because our summer turned out to be hot. The potato harvest was great. With a small planting of tubers, we got a lot of tubers, enough for the whole winter.”

Planting and caring for Virgo potatoes

The Virgo variety can be grown from tubers and through seeds. The seed method is difficult and time-consuming, so gardeners prefer to grow potatoes from purchased tubers. When purchasing, you must carefully inspect the planting material to ensure that it is free of mechanical damage, signs of rot and fungal diseases.

Before planting Deva potatoes, you need to read the description and reviews, view photos and videos. This will make it possible to understand the variety and carry out proper care in the future.

Selection and preparation of a landing site

Choose a place for planting that is well-lit and protected from gusty winds. The variety is unpretentious to soil quality, but to harvest a rich harvest, the soil must be well drained and aerated, light and nutritious.

The area for potatoes is prepared in advance. To do this, dig it up with a shovel and remove weeds, stones and clods of earth. Rotted manure and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are added to the soil. After tilling the soil, the area can be sown with siderites, which will saturate the soil with nitrogen.

Improving soil quality:

1. Ph level – add bone meal, ash or calcium carbonate to acidic soil. Alkaline soil is oxidized with peat or manure.
2. Air and water permeability - sand, compost, perlite, vermiculite are added to the soil.

In order for Virgo potatoes to bring a rich harvest, you need to adhere to crop rotation. Tubers cannot be planted after strawberries. The best predecessors are cucumbers, pumpkin, legumes and cereals, beets, sunflowers and corn.

Advice! Potatoes cannot be constantly planted in the same place. Replanting is done after 3 years.

Preparation of planting material

For quick germination, Deva potatoes are germinated a month before planting. For this:

1. Planting material is sorted, discarding diseased and damaged tubers.
2. Selected planting material is washed and disinfected. Soak for a quarter of an hour in a solution of boric acid (10 g diluted in a bucket of warm water).
3. Disinfected potatoes are laid out in one layer to dry completely.
4. Dried tubers sprout after 14 days at a temperature of + 18-20 °C.
5. 2 days before planting, sprouted potatoes are hardened. To do this, it is transferred to a cool room and covered with a dark film or cloth.

Landing rules

Planting is carried out after the end of spring frosts, when the ground warms up to + 10 °C. Experienced gardeners say that potatoes should be planted during the lilac flowering period.

Planting Deva potatoes can be done in several ways. When choosing a planting method, it is necessary to take into account climatic conditions and soil quality. In regions with rainy and cold summers, heavy soil and shallow groundwater, potatoes are planted on ridges. In southern cities they prefer a smooth landing.

The standard row spacing is about 70 cm. The space between tubers depends on the size of the planting material. If large tubers are 40 cm, medium ones are 35 cm, small ones are 20 cm.

Planting depth depends on the composition of the soil:

• 4-5 cm on heavy clay soil, with shallow groundwater;
• 10 cm on loams;
• 15 cm on sandy, well-warmed soil.

The most common methods:

1. Under the shovel - holes are made at a certain interval into which the sprouted tubers are placed. Planting can be done in 3 ways: square nest, checkerboard, two-line. This method is not suitable for areas with clayey, heavy, poorly drained soil.
2. In ridges - planting material is planted in prepared shallow grooves. This method is used on soils of light mechanical composition.
3. In trenches - an old, proven method, suitable for areas with loose soil that does not retain moisture well.
4. In ridges - the method is suitable for areas with heavy, clayey soil and with shallow groundwater. It is better to use a motor cultivator to cultivate the soil.
5. Into the grass is a new but very popular way of growing potatoes. It does not require any effort or time. The tubers are laid out on the ground in a checkerboard pattern, leaving a gap of 20 cm between the tubers. A thick layer of mulch (hay, dry leaves) is laid on top. When the mulch overheats, it settles, so it is necessary to periodically add a new portion. Since mulch retains moisture and is an organic fertilizer, irrigation and fertilizing are not carried out.

Deva potatoes are an unpretentious variety, but to obtain the long-awaited harvest, you must follow simple agrotechnical rules.

Watering and fertilizing

In dry, warm summers, irrigation is carried out 3 times a season: after emergence, during the formation of buds, and during the flowering period. If the summer is rainy, watering is not carried out. If the plant does not have enough moisture, the tops will lose their elasticity and begin to wither. Watering is carried out only in the morning.

Advice! A week before digging the crop, irrigation is stopped.

Potatoes, like other plants, are very responsive to feeding. Fertilizers are applied according to the following scheme:

• 2 weeks after planting;
• during budding;
• after flowering.

A mineral complex is used as a top dressing (10 g of urea, 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium chloride diluted in 5 liters of water). If the plant quickly grows tops, then urea is not added to the fertilizing.

It is advisable to foliar fertilize with Bordeaux mixture 2 times a season. It will not only feed the plant, but will also protect it from diseases and pests.

Loosening and weeding

The Virgo variety grows well in loose soil, since air access to the roots is necessary for good fruiting. The first time the soil is loosened after germination, at the same time removing weeds. Further loosening is carried out when an earthen crust appears.

Advice! To make your work easier, the beds are mulched with straw, leaves, rotted compost or sawdust. Mulch will retain moisture, thereby eliminating the need for watering, stopping the growth of weeds and becoming an organic fertilizer.

Hilling

Hilling is carried out depending on climatic conditions. If the summer is hot and there is no time to water frequently, hilling is not carried out. Because the dryness and heat will cause the potatoes to bake in the ground.

In regions with cold, rainy summers, hilling must be carried out: the first time after the emergence of seedlings, the second time 20 days after the first hilling.

Important! The procedure is carried out after watering, in the morning or evening.

Features of cultivation

The rules for caring for Virgo potatoes are simple, but to get a large harvest they must be followed:

1. Watering is needed three times per season - at the emergence of seedlings, during the formation of buds and during flowering itself. A week before digging up the tubers, irrigation is stopped.
2. Potatoes need fertilizing 14 days after planting, during the formation of buds, and when they fade. A mineral complex of fertilizers is applied.
3. Weeding and loosening - the first time the potatoes are loosened after they sprout, then as a crust forms on the soil.
4. Hilling - this procedure also depends on the climate in the region where potatoes are grown. In hot weather and lack of watering, the crop is not hilled. In cool climates, the procedure is carried out at least twice. The first time this is done when seedlings appear, and then three weeks later. It is recommended to hill up in the morning or evening, after watering.

Advice! It is recommended to mulch potato beds to make your work easier by retaining moisture in the soil and slowing down the growth of weeds.

Diseases and pests

Potatoes of the Deva variety have strong immunity to diseases. But in rainy summers and if care rules are not followed, the plant may suffer from some ailments.

1. Potato rot - affects leaves, stems and tubers. The disease progresses at the end of July, after flowering, in rainy, cool summers. At the first signs of the disease, the outer side of the lower leaves becomes covered with dark brown spots, and a white coating forms on the inner side.
2. Ring rot is a common disease that appears during flowering. The fungus attacks stems and tubers. If the disease affects the stem, it dries out and falls to the ground. If it is a tuber, then when cut the flesh is soft and watery.
3. The Colorado potato beetle is a dangerous insect that infects plants throughout the growing season. Without treatment, in a short time the insect destroys all the green mass, which leads to the death of the plant.

To protect the plant from diseases and pests, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures:

• observe crop rotation;
• provide proper care;
• remove lower leaves and post-harvest residues;
• At the beginning of flowering, spray the bush with Bordeaux mixture.

Nuances of care

Red Sonya potatoes require timely watering, fertilization, pest and disease control. Weeding and hilling play a big role in obtaining a large harvest.

Watering mode

Moistening is carried out as the soil dries. Timely watering will reduce the number of small tubers and increase the number of marketable potatoes. For high-quality soil moisture, it is recommended to use a drip system.

Top dressing

Additional fertilizer application is reflected in the weight of each tuber. If the land was well prepared before planting, then fertilizing is not needed throughout the growing season. If necessary, apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. It is undesirable to fertilize with nitrogen mixtures and fresh manure. Fertilize according to the following scheme:

• 2 weeks after planting potatoes;
• during the formation and growth of tubers;
• 21 days before harvest.

At the beginning of the growing season, potato bushes are fed with a solution of cow manure, which helps to activate the growth of stems and leaves. Later, potash fertilizers are used, a mixture of “Superphosphate” and potassium sulfate. Before harvesting potatoes, a complex type of fertilizer is used, which subsequently allows you to extend the shelf life of the tubers.

Weeding and hilling

Important agrotechnical techniques in growing potatoes are loosening the soil and removing weeds. Large tubers form better in loose soil. Loosening of compacted soil is carried out after each watering. Weeds are removed mechanically or manually.

Hilling up Red Sony is carried out according to the following algorithm:

• after the shoots reach a size of 8-12 cm;
• 20-25 days after the first procedure;
• when the bush grows to 25 cm or more.

Repeat as necessary. If there is a strong growth of bushes and the tubers are visible on the surface, repeated hilling will be required. If this is not done, the potatoes will turn green and become unfit for consumption.

Disease and pest control

The main problem of the variety is damage by rhizoctonia. This disease responds well to treatment with Fitosporin.

The most dangerous pest is the Colorado potato beetle. Insecticides must be changed every year - the insect quickly adapts to any poison and becomes immune. For treatment, it is recommended to use the drugs “Euphoria” and “Connect”.

Harvesting and storage

Young potatoes of the Deva variety begin to be harvested in early August. To do this, a test excavation is done in dry, warm weather. If the tubers correspond to standard sizes, the potatoes can be dug up.

Peak harvest occurs in mid-September. By this time, the potatoes will have grown and will be ready for long-term storage. The dug up tubers are cleared of soil and laid out in one layer to dry. If potatoes are not dried, they will have a short shelf life, as the remaining moisture will cause the tuber to rot.

Dried potatoes are sorted, removing small ones for planting next year. Tubers with mechanical damage are eaten first.

Selected potatoes are laid out in bags or boxes and stored in a cool, dry room where the air temperature does not exceed + 15 °C. At high temperatures, potatoes will begin to germinate; at sub-zero temperatures, the tubers acquire a sweet taste.

Knowing everything about Deva potatoes, you can harvest a good harvest without wasting extra effort and time.

Characteristics of the variety

Tubers with thin skin of pale red color. The shape of the potatoes is elongated. No eyes or defects were noticed on the surface. Each tuber reaches 150 g. The height of the bush is not large and is ideally 70 cm. There are not very many leaves on it. Tubers form quickly. As a result, productivity indicators increase. From one bush you can expect up to a kilogram of potatoes. Maximum yield is possible if agricultural technology is followed correctly and the most favorable conditions are created.

Buyers are attracted by the evenly shaped fruits with excellent taste. The variety is universal, and therefore can be used to prepare a wide range of dishes. The vegetable cooks well, so it can be used for making purees. Potatoes are suitable for cultivation for 5 years, which sets them apart from the competitive list of other varieties. In this case, no degeneration occurs.

Landing rules

The Deva variety is grown in two ways: by planting tubers and sprouting seeds. The first method is simpler and more common.

Recommended timing

The preparation of tubers for germination begins in April. First, they are disinfected with a weak solution of manganese, then laid out on a flat, dry surface in one for germination. The air temperature should not fall below + 18 ᵒC. As soon as white sprouts appear on the tubers (2 weeks after disinfection), the potatoes are ready for planting. This procedure is carried out at the beginning or end of May, depending on the growing region.

It is important that the night frosts have already passed and the air temperature has risen to + 15 ᵒС

Soil preparation

A well-lit area, protected from strong winds, is suitable for planting. A week before planting Virgo potatoes, the soil is dug up and organic fertilizers are added: mullein, chicken or other bird droppings. The soil is mixed with fertilizer and left for a week - the soil will absorb the microelements necessary for the future harvest.

How to plant correctly

2 days before planting, the sprouted potatoes are placed in a cellar or basement, where the air temperature is below room temperature. This will harden the tubers and prepare them for a possible drop in temperature in open ground. Immediately before planting, dig holes 0.25 m deep and the same in diameter. The distance between each hole must be at least a quarter of a meter.

A small layer of ash is poured into the bottom of each recess. Then a tuber is placed in each hole, sprout down, and covered with soil.

Important! To increase the amount of seed, the tubers are cut into 2 or more parts. It is important that each such baby has a peephole with a sprout.

There is no need to specially water planted potatoes. If it rains in a day or two, this will have a good effect on the germination of the crop. In about a week, the first shoots of Deva potatoes will appear.