High-quality seed potato variety “Jellie”: description, characteristics and photos

Jelly potatoes – variety description, photos, reviews

Jelly potatoes are table varieties. It was created in Germany, in. In 2005, 4 years after submitting the application for registration, the variety was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. Positioned in two regions: Central and Volgo-Vyatka. Today, Jelly is a huge success in the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus.

The article will provide a description of the variety, photos and reviews of summer residents who have already managed to grow Jelly on their site.

Tuber characteristics

Jelly potatoes belong to the mid-early table varieties. It takes 90-110 days for tubers to fully ripen.

Potatoes are famous among commercial representatives due to the fact that they allow you to get about 550 centners from 1 hectare of planting.

Tubers are medium-sized, from 80 to 110 g. Larger specimens up to 140 g are found. On average, one bush produces about 12-15 potatoes.

The variety is crumbly. About 14-18% of Jelly's composition is starch. The color of the root shell is yellow. The color of the pulp is dark yellow. The pulp does not tend to darken when cooked.

The shelf life indicators are among the worst that can be found in the potato industry. Jelly does not store well, with a preservation rate of 86%, which is significantly lower than competitor varieties, whose preservation reaches 98-99%.

Growing

Almost any soil is suitable for growing Jelly; the variety is quite unpretentious

The only thing I would like to focus on is the recommendation to use crop rotation. If any potato is planted in the same place for several years in a row, then there is a very high probability that the site will be depleted and damaged by specific potato pests.

The optimal place for planting potatoes is those beds or fields where winter crops, legumes or lupine grew last season.

Seed material is usually planted in rows, which are located at a distance of 75-80 cm from each other (thus creating a kind of reserve of land for future hilling). In the row itself, the distance between seed tubers should not be less than thirty centimeters. At the same time, it is customary to plow high-quality mineral or organic fertilizers into the soil.

We should not forget that when planting potatoes at an optimally early date in the presence of well-prepared and well-warmed soil, the yield increases by approximately 25-30% compared to the volume of the harvest obtained as a result of late planting. In recent years, the method of planting potatoes under spunbond has become particularly popular. It saves plants from late return frosts, gives access to moisture and does not allow weeds to become more active. Green shoots appear early and quite amicably.

The main care for potatoes is timely loosening of the soil and hilling of bushes to form a powerful root system. During the entire growth period, it is recommended to hill up the bushes at least 2 times, the optimal option is at least 3 times. A week before harvesting, in order to speed up the ripening of tubers, it is recommended to mow the tops.

The variety is considered drought-resistant, so watering is practically not required.

Jelly is almost immune to traditional potato diseases such as rhizoctonia, golden cyst nematode and potato canker. Accordingly, preventive treatment is not required at all. The only disaster can be considered only late blight, which mainly affects tops and sometimes tubers.

For late blight, plants are usually sprayed in proportions according to the instructions for use with the following drugs: Arcedil, Ridomil MC, Oksikhom, Ditamine M-45, copper oxychloride and Kuproxat. But in no way should such treatment be carried out later than 30 days before the expected harvest of potatoes.

Advantages and disadvantages of Jelly

Over many years of cultivation, agronomists have identified a number of advantages of this variety. In particular, these include:

1. Drought resistance. Jelly is not afraid of the scorching sun and can go without watering for a long time. Thanks to this, this variety can be grown in arid regions.
2. Unpretentiousness. Potatoes will grow in almost any type of soil. Naturally, in good soil and with proper care, yields will be higher, but even in heavy soil Jelly will not show poor results.
3. Transportability. Potatoes have a thick skin that protects them from mechanical damage when transported over long distances.
4. Excellent presentation. Due to the beauty of the tubers, they are easy to sell on the market.
5. Versatility. Jelly is suitable for making French fries, soups, and frying.
6. Stability. Many varieties are degenerating. The same cannot be said about Jelly. The resulting harvest can be used as planting material from year to year without fear of a drop in yield indicators.

There are few disadvantages:

1. Weak resistance to late blight. Moreover, not only tubers are affected, but also the plant part of the crop.
2. Crop rotation. When growing Jelly, you need to systematically (every 3 years) plant it in another area. Otherwise, productivity indicators decrease.

Reviews

“We harvest the Jelly variety in the fall, but we start digging in early June. We are looking forward to the new potatoes. We bake it in the fire, and in winter we fry it and put it in soups. The puree from it is not very good, there are other potatoes for that. Although Jelly potatoes are called productive, I would argue that there are more worthy varieties. But as for care, storage and keeping quality, I would give it a solid five. We spent the winter with him three times - no worries or problems. There is no such thing as decay, it can shrink,” Angelina Grishkina, Tula

“We have been growing Jelly potatoes for 10 years. Good care, and this comes with experience, gives excellent results. Don’t forget to change the areas for sowing from time to time, choosing the right predecessors: green manure, onions, carrots, legumes. We appreciate the Jelly variety for its taste,” - Inna and Victor Gudimov, Kalyazin

Correct fit

Planting of crops begins only after the soil has warmed up to +9-10 degrees Celsius. In warmer regions this occurs in early May, in colder regions in mid-May or early June.

You can also use the birch buds to guide you when potatoes are ready to plant. When they bloom, the soil is ready to “receive” potatoes.

Only the healthiest tubers are selected as planting material. They should not have any defects (cracks, stains, rot, bug holes). Experts also recommend treating root vegetables with special preparations against diseases.

When selecting seed material, you also need to pay attention to the size of the tubers. Ideally, these will be 70-80 g potatoes. Cutting potatoes is not recommended.

Planted according to the usual scheme:

• 70 cm between rows;
• 25-30 cm between bushes.

The planting depth in warm regions is approximately 10 cm. Closer to the north, the planting depth is increased by 5 cm, respectively, up to 15 cm.

Agrotechnics of cultivation

Like any other potato, the variety in question undergoes “greening” before planting. In other words, the tubers are taken out of the bins and kept in the light in a warm place when there is a month or a month and a half left before planting. For this variety, germination before planting must be done until the potato sprouts emerge from the awakened eyes by 2 cm

If there is a shortage of seeds, the tubers are carefully cut, saving a bud in each section. Soaking in a manganese solution helps disinfect seeds before planting

There are drugs on the market that stimulate growth.

A distinctive feature of this variety is its responsiveness to sufficiently moist soils. Although, at the same time, the variety tolerates minor droughts and short-term lack of watering quite steadfastly. This variety loves loamy and fertilized soils.

When growing, you need to be very careful when it comes to planting time. The variety is mid-season, so it is planted quite early. But planting in cold soil, below 8 degrees, not only will not speed up the ripening period, but in general can negatively affect the development of plants. Therefore, seeds should be planted only after warm and dry weather has established and in the most illuminated and open places. The variety loves soil that is neutral in pH content of 5-5.5 percent.

The optimal predecessors are cabbage, green plants, cucumbers; the variety also grows well after beets.

The spreading nature of the bush and its height dictate the planting rules: you can plant it both in traditional holes and in furrows. The distance between the tubers, as well as the row spacing, should be large, because the bushes will form powerful and large. Optimally, you need to leave 85 cm between rows and 40 cm in a row.

It is easier and faster to plant potatoes in plowed furrows

Organic matter is added to planting, but not manure, but compost; mineral fertilizers are also needed. Many people add onion skins as protection against pests. You can add ash to mineralize the soil.

In principle, the variety cannot be called extremely demanding of care. In hot areas it needs to be watered. Temperate climate zones have sufficient natural humidity and precipitation.

The first small harrowing can be carried out even before germination; it will not take much time, but will help fight weeds. Weeding and hilling - two or three times during the summer. You can walk with a hoe for the first time immediately after the first shoots appear. Thus, weeds are knocked down, which climb out of the ground faster than cultivated seedlings. In addition, a little loosening will give the seedlings more access to oxygen.

In areas where there is a danger of night frosts, when first weeding it is better to sprinkle the sprouts with a little soil. This is not scary, on the contrary, the earth will cover the plants and will not allow them to die, but the sprouts will still grow.

The second hilling should be done as high as possible, raking the soil as high as possible towards the bushes. The more the soil is raised, the better the stolons are formed, which means they will subsequently produce more tubers.

Harvesting takes place in early to mid-September. Place the potatoes in a dark and dry place for ventilation. It sits for two weeks, dries and forms a smooth and denser skin. Then it is carefully lowered to its place of permanent storage.

Before storing the potatoes, dry them a little, but under no circumstances wash them.

If we compare this variety with other representatives of the nightshade family, we can note among its positive characteristics that

• not afraid of nematodes;
• does not suffer from potato cancer;
• not prone to common scab;
• does not suffer from blackleg;
• When applying copper-containing preparations, it resists late blight.

Among the pests, potatoes are affected by the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm. The processing of this variety is no different from other varieties - the same chemical methods are used.

Rules of care

Caring for this crop is not difficult. It is enough to water, hill up, and fertilize the soil several times before planting.

Feeding Jelly

Potatoes do not need fertilizing as such. The only requirement is for the ground. It must be nutritious. To do this, in the fall, after harvesting, the soil is dug up and fed with humus.

In general, this feeding is quite enough to grow a good harvest.

In the same case, if the soil is heavy or poor in organic matter, even after fertilization, you can perform “direct” feeding, directly into the hole while planting the tuber.

Wood ash is used as fertilizer. If it is not there, humus will do.

Irrigation

Water the Jelly potatoes systematically. Experienced agronomists advise doing this according to the standard scheme:

1. Do not water the potatoes until the tops emerge from the soil.
2. The first watering should be carried out when the tops rise by 10-25 cm.
3. Water the crop a second time at the moment the flowers form.
4. Water the third time before the end of flowering.

Of course, if potatoes are grown in a particularly dry region where rainfall is rare, the amount of watering can be increased. But without fanaticism.

Also, so that potatoes have a lower risk of late blight, it is not recommended to water them after the flowers disappear from the tops.

Hilling

The most important agrotechnical procedure that allows:

1. Saturate the soil with oxygen.
2. Support the tops from adhering to the ground, thereby protecting them from untimely drying.
3. Remove grass from the area.

Hill up the crop only 2 times. The first, when the tops have gained growth (20-25 cm). The second time approximately 15-20 days after the first procedure.

Growing rules

Jelly does not have excessive care requirements. Its ideal soil is light, fertile, with a good supply of sand. Phacelia, radish and legumes are the best predecessors in the field for potatoes of this variety.

Before planting Jelly, the soil should be cultivated using a cultivator, and the soil should also be cleared of old plant and fruit residues. It is best to feed potatoes using:

• Potassium sulfate;
• Magnesium sulfate;
• Superphosphate.

In addition to them, birch wood ash is very useful. You should be more careful with nitrogen fertilizers, because if you overdo it, you can thereby lengthen the growing season and, as a result, reduce yields.

It is necessary to plant potatoes with a spacing of 35 cm, and it is better to leave 75 cm of space between the rows. It can be planted in the ground either whole or in pieces. Being divided into parts, the seed material will significantly save money. Jelly shoots appear quickly and quickly, and the tubers do not lag behind and just as quickly set in response.

Drought is not a problem for this variety, and therefore it needs to be watered only on the hottest days. In addition, in those regions where the climate is temperate and cool, watering may not be necessary at all. Just one feeding will be enough, but you will have to hill up the potatoes 2-3 times over the entire season.

Diseases and pests

Jelly potatoes have a stable immunity that protects them from problems such as:

• potato cancer;
• rhizoctoniasis;
• scab;
• golden nematode.

On the other hand, this immunity does not help the variety resist late blight. In the case of Jelly, the green part is more often affected than the roots.

The development of late blight can be prevented by preparing the soil (autumn digging) and selecting absolutely healthy planting tubers.

Also, a serious cause of this fungus is stagnation of moisture in the soil.

We recommend reading: “Description of the potato variety Lyubava”

If affected leaves are found, they should be immediately torn off and removed from the area. After this, it is necessary to treat the bushes with special insecticides such as Ridomil.

Among insects, the wireworm or Colorado potato beetle can become a problem.

Potato planting process

Planting of Jelly potatoes traditionally occurs in the spring (a detailed step-by-step description of the process can easily be found on any gardening website)

It is important to maintain the distance between the rows in order to then give space for the bush to grow, no less than 74 centimeters. Planting should be carried out in good weather conditions, because if the weather is rainy, this can also negatively affect further growth.

The bush needs a lot of space

The planting process for potatoes of any variety is similar. Both seed preparation and land cultivation. It stands out only in that for each species you need to maintain its own distance, depending on the latitude of the bush. Jelly potatoes need a lot of space to develop later.