A gift from Germany - Krona potatoes: characteristics of the variety and useful tips

Potatoes "Krona": characteristics of the variety

The main distinguishing features of this variety:

• medium-sized tubers, weighing from 100 to 130 g;
• oval shape, with a blunt apex;
• tubers are neat, balanced in weight and size;
• the peel is yellow, plain, thin, smooth;
• eyes are superficial, small, inconspicuous;
• the flesh is yellow when cut;
• starch content is moderate, does not exceed 12%;
• high content of proteins, fiber, vitamins, carotene.

The variety is distinguished by its productivity and low maintenance requirements; it can easily tolerate the lack of fertilizing or short-term drought.

You can compare the yield of this variety with others by referring to the table below:

Site selection

When choosing a site for planting potatoes on a hilly area, you should remember that southern and southwestern slopes are the most preferable. Such places are better warmed up by the sun's rays and are well lit. Despite the fact that “Krona” is capable of growing on different soils, the best conditions for it will be loose, slightly acidic, loamy and chernozem soils. The degree of acidity is easily determined by the flowers and herbs growing in the area. For example, the presence of chamomile, wheatgrass, clover and dandelion indicates that the acidity of the soil is optimal and the place is quite suitable for planting potatoes.

The groundwater level should also be taken into account. If the upper aquifers are located too close to the surface of the earth, then potatoes should be grown on specially formed ridges or high beds. We must not forget about the plant’s predecessors, the best of which are carrots, turnips, beets, cabbage and legumes. The limitation for planting “Krona” is the areas where tomatoes were previously grown.

Planting potatoes in the same place every year is unacceptable, as this leads to soil depletion and significantly reduces yields.

Preparation for planting potatoes begins a month before the start of work and consists of selecting planting tubers. To do this, you should sort through the material prepared in the fall and select healthy and even potatoes weighing from 50 to 80 g. Next, it is recommended to dip the selected tubers in copper sulfate diluted in water, then dry and spray with a growth stimulator. Then the tubers need to be laid out in boxes in 2 layers and placed in a bright room with a temperature of 22 Cº. To prevent too rapid germination, the temperature is reduced to 8 Cº at night. After 4 weeks, when the sprouts reach a length of 10-15 mm, you can begin planting.

Tubers should be planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other, leaving at least 65 cm between rows. If the area is large, then the distance can be increased. This will make it easier to care for potatoes and increase the overall yield of the crop. Planting should be done on soil heated to 10 Cº. At lower temperatures, eye growth slows down, and the timing of crop ripening may shift. As a top dressing, a single application of organic fertilizer is recommended in each hole, for which you can use ash, peat or diluted mullein. If planting is carried out in dry soil, half a liter of water should be poured into each hole.

Read also: Feeding tomato and pepper seedlings with iodine, a folk remedy

The crop does not require constant watering and does not require fertilization, but to ensure a high yield, a number of measures still need to be carried out.

Hilling

The procedure should be carried out after the length of the shoots reaches 15 cm. With earlier hilling, there is a risk of damage to the young plant, which in the future can lead to slower growth and a shift in flowering dates. Work should be carried out very carefully, trying not to touch the stem of the plant.

Hilling up too high can negatively affect the root system, expose it and expose it to the risk of damage by spring frosts. The event should be carried out immediately after rain or watering. This will contribute to the formation of stable ridges and prevent soil from crumbling. Repeated hilling is recommended 20 days after the first.

The crop tolerates short dry periods well, but still requires watering during budding. Low soil moisture can negatively affect the taste of potatoes and contribute to the appearance of a large number of small tubers. It is recommended to water strictly at the root of the plant, since drops on the tops can provoke the development of late blight. In such cases, it is convenient to use a drip irrigation system. In the absence of rain, at least three waterings will be required during the season.

Fertilizer application

Despite the fact that the variety does not require regular feeding, moderate application of fertilizers increases yield and improves the taste and nutritional quality of potatoes. Wood ash in combination with mature humus is considered the best and most affordable remedy. Horse manure is also a good type of feeding. Among fertilizers of mineral origin, it is better to use a phosphorus-potassium additive. The introduction of nitrogen-containing compounds is not recommended, as this contributes to the rapid growth of green mass and the consumption of nutrients and energy for its growth.

A week before digging potatoes, you should cut off all the tops. This will allow the tubers to absorb nutrients and significantly increase their nutritional value. It is recommended to thoroughly dry the harvested potatoes and store them.

Description and photo

Potato variety "Krona" table, mid-early. About 100 days pass from planting to harvesting . The yield is very high, depending on climatic zones and growing conditions, ranging from 430 to 650 centners per hectare.

The collected tubers are perfectly stored and can be transported. Read more about storage times and temperatures, and about possible problems that may arise.

And also about how to store root vegetables in winter, on the balcony, in boxes, in the refrigerator, peeled.

The seed material does not degenerate , retaining all the properties characteristic of the mother plants.

Potatoes are very easy to grow. Prefers light soils based on black soil or sand . Frequent feeding is not needed; when growing, you can get by with moderate portions of organic matter added before planting. Read more about how to fertilize potatoes, when and how to fertilize, and how to do it correctly when planting.

For maximum yield, good soil moisture, hilling and timely removal of weeds are required. Mulching will help control weeds.

Bush of medium height, erect, moderately spreading. The formation of green mass is average. The leaves are dark green, matte, medium-sized, with slightly wavy edges and clearly defined veins. The corolla is compact, collected from large white, quickly falling flowers. The berries practically do not set.

The root system is powerful, 10-15 potatoes are formed under each bush. The amount of non-marketable fines or substandard tubers is minimal.

The variety is resistant to many nightshade diseases: potato blight, common scab, root and blossom end rot. Rarely affected by late blight. Potatoes are insensitive to mechanical damage .

The taste of Krone potatoes is excellent. The tubers are slightly boiled, maintaining a neat shape. The taste is rich, balanced, not watery. Due to the low starch content, the tubers do not darken when cut, maintaining a beautiful yellow color.

In the table below you will find data on the starch content of different potato varieties:

Potatoes are suitable for deep-frying, stuffing, and baking. The tubers are not used to make puree . Can be industrially processed to make frozen French fries, soup dressings or mixed vegetables.

Potatoes "Krona" look like in these photos:

Disease Prevention

The crown has good immunity to many diseases that can easily affect other potato varieties. The plant is not susceptible to rot, common scab, potato cancer and viral infections. Green mass and tubers are rarely affected by late blight.

To protect potatoes before planting, root crops must be treated with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate solution. The soil needs to be watered with a disinfectant. It is advisable to change the site for planting this crop every year.

Young leaves and stems can be parasitized by: aphids, Colorado potato beetles, spider mites and cicadas. To protect potatoes from them, it is necessary to promptly remove weeds and mulch the soil. In case of massive damage, the plant needs to be treated with insecticides, which must be applied before flowering begins.

Origin

The Krona variety was bred by German breeders. Potatoes have become widespread in many European countries. Included in the State Register in 2015 , industrial cultivation and breeding on farms and private farms are recommended.

Potatoes can be planted in most regions of Russia; they can easily tolerate temperature changes or drought. Under favorable conditions, productivity is higher.

Reviews from gardeners

Alexander, 34 years old, Ufa

I purchased planting potatoes of the Krona variety because many people praise them. I planted it in clean clay because there was no other place. And the result surprised me very much; excellent potatoes grew. The bush is small, smooth and even tubers are just right. Taste is top five. I collected a full 10-liter bucket from four bushes. Let's see how this variety behaves during storage.

Oksana, 25 years old, Nizhny Novgorod

I grow several varieties of potatoes in my summer cottage. Last year there was a dry summer, and only Krona brought a good harvest. In other varieties, the tubers were burst, only small ones remained intact. The taste is pleasant, the size is medium.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the variety include:

• high taste qualities of root vegetables;
• good yield;
• excellent keeping quality;
• earlier amicable ripening of tubers;
• disease resistance;
• not subject to mechanical damage;
• drought resistance;
• ability to tolerate heat and short-term drops in temperature;
• excellent presentation of root crops;
• low maintenance requirements.

No disadvantages were noticed in the variety.

Features of cultivation

Potatoes have good immunity, but for better germination, it is recommended to treat the tubers with a growth stimulator . Potatoes are dried and germinated in the light.

For planting, it is better to select large, even, unaffected tubers; they guarantee a bountiful harvest. It is better not to plant small items that are not marketable; the result will be unpredictable.

Root crops need to be planted in warm soil. At temperatures below 10 degrees, the tubers may rot . Humus, peat and wood ash are added to the holes. Such fertilizing will increase the yield, but will not contribute to the accumulation of nitrates.

Potatoes need to be planted at a distance of 25-30 cm; row spacing 60-70 cm wide will make it easier to care for the plantings. During the season, plants are hilled 2-3 times, removing weeds along the way. It is preferable to form high ridges above the bushes .

It is not necessary to apply fertilizer ; if desired, the plantings can be fed once with diluted mullein. Watering is much more important. For a bountiful harvest, it is advisable to organize a drip humidification system. During drought, the bushes do not die, but the potatoes turn out smaller.

The tops of the variety remain green even at the end of the growing season. Tubers should not lie dormant in the soil , as this can lead to late blight or wireworm infestation. Before digging, it is recommended to cut off the greens, this will allow the tubers to accumulate maximum nutrients.

The dug up potatoes are thoroughly dried on the boundary or under a canopy. The harvested crop is immediately sorted, the seed material is selected and stored separately . Potatoes intended for sale can be packaged immediately after digging.

In addition to fertilizers, a variety of products and preparations are used when growing potatoes. There are many debates about their benefits. We bring to your attention detailed articles on how and why herbicides, fungicides and insecticides are used.

Planting potatoes

Even though Crohn's potatoes are easy to grow, it takes some effort to enjoy tasty potatoes. Compliance with the peculiarities and rules of agricultural technology guarantees a rich harvest.

Site selection and processing

It is better to choose a site for Krona potatoes on the southern and southwestern slopes. They are well illuminated by the sun's rays, and the earth warms up better on them.

The culture prefers loose and slightly acidic soil. You can determine acidity by plants: chamomile, wheatgrass, clover and dandelion usually grow in such soil. Potatoes of this variety grow well on sandy, chernozem and loamy soils.

If groundwater lies nearby, then vegetable plantings should be placed on ridges or ridges. The best predecessors of potatoes: cabbage, legumes, winter crops, root vegetables. You should not plant potatoes in an area where nightshade crops grew. When digging, you can add a small amount of organic fertilizer to the soil. The best is rotted horse manure.

Important! It is not recommended to grow potatoes in the same place every year, as the soil is depleted and the yield decreases.

Tuber preparation

A month before planting potatoes in the soil, you need to prepare planting material. To do this, you need to select healthy medium-sized tubers, weighing from 50 to 80 g. To prevent diseases, the vegetable can be dipped in a solution of copper sulfate. After drying, treat with a growth stimulator.

The next stage is germination. To do this, lay out the planting potatoes in boxes in 1-2 layers and put them in a bright room. For the first 7 days, maintain the temperature at 20-22°C, then reduce it to 7-8°C and keep the potatoes for another 4 weeks. Periodically it is sprayed with water and turned over. The vegetable should acquire a dark green color. When sprouts 10-15 mm long are formed, the potatoes can be planted.

Advice! Do not buy planting tubers from dubious sellers. They can be infected with spores of pathogenic bacteria, which, when released into the ground, cover the entire crop.

Landing rules

After preparing the planting material, you can begin planting it. In this case, it is necessary to take into account some agrotechnical features of potatoes of the Krona variety:

• tubers should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 cm;
• between rows you need to leave at least 65 cm;
• The potato planting depth should be 4-5 cm.

If the area allows, then the distances between the holes and beds can be increased. This makes caring for potatoes easier.

Diseases and pests

The variety is resistant to many diseases: various viruses, potato cancer, and common scab.

Early ripening saves tubers and leaves from late blight. For prevention, root crops are treated before planting, and the soil is spilled with disinfectant compounds. At the peak of the late blight epidemic, plantings are treated once with copper-containing preparations .

Useful video

We also invite you to familiarize yourself with potato varieties that have different ripening periods: