Cardinal potatoes

The Cardinal variety attracts gardeners with a high content of vitamins in tubers and a high yield. Potatoes are intended mainly for home cultivation, they have strong immunity.

The main characteristics of the Cardinal variety:

• bushes - tall and erect;

• leaves - large, emerald, with jagged edges;

• corollas are small, burgundy.

The subspecies has a long growing season, so the harvest consists mainly of medium or small tubers.

A well-developed root system of the bush saturates the roots with the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients. Tuber properties:

• shape - elongated, with rounded edges;

• eyes are small;

• the skin is pinkish, even and smooth;

• the pulp is an amber-beige shade, darkens on the cut over time.

The average percentage of starch in potatoes is 144-16%.

Tasters rate the taste characteristics of Cardinal potatoes as good. Root crops are suitable for long-term transportation, can be stored for up to 4-7 months under optimal conditions. Tubers are used to prepare second courses and soups.

The Cardinal variety belongs to a group of plants with a late ripening period. Root crops are formed 110-120 days after planting.

From 1 hectare under good growing conditions, it is possible to collect up to 300 centners of root crops. A high yield rate attracts gardeners in many regions, which is why the variety is so in demand.

In Russia, Cardinal potatoes are grown in the following areas:

• Moscow;

• Vladimirskaya;

• Yaroslavl;

• Ivanovskaya;

• Kaluga;

• Nizhny Novgorod.

And also potatoes have taken root in the Krasnodar Territory. Resistance to high temperatures and drought allows the plant to survive the southern summers.

It is recommended to start planting Cardinal potatoes in early May. Before planting the tubers, they must be prepared.

1. Selection. For planting, large and whole tubers are left, in which there are no cracks, cuts and other types of deformations.

2. Germination. Selected potatoes are transferred to a bright room, where they are stored for 3 weeks at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. During this time, the tubers should acquire a green tint and sprout up to 2 cm long.

3. Treatment. Samples ready for planting are treated with special compounds to stimulate growth and strengthen immunity.

It is recommended to plant root crops, maintaining a distance between future bushes of 35 cm, between rows - 60 cm. The greater the distance, the higher the productivity of the crop. When planting is complete, you need to take care of the care of the plant.

1. Watering. It is recommended to add water to the soil no more than 1 time in 10 days, without oversaturation with liquid. It is possible to increase the amount of watering only during the period of flowering and active formation of tubers. On average, at this time, one bush accounts for 5-6 liters of water.

2. Loosening. The procedure is carried out after each watering in order to saturate the soil with oxygen and ensure the flow of nutrients to the roots.

3. Mulching. Retains moisture in the beds. For the procedure, you can use peat or straw.In addition, mulching prevents pest attacks.

4. Top dressing. It is recommended to apply the first fertilizers to the ground when the bushes rise 20 cm above the ground. Nitrogen compounds are usually used as top dressing. The second time, fertilizers are applied a week before the flowering period, giving preference to organic matter or a mineral complex. The last dressing is necessary during the fruiting period, potash fertilizers are suitable here.

5. Hilling and weeding. Two mandatory procedures that will accelerate the growth of the bush and ensure high yields. It is recommended to huddle potatoes at least 2 times per season. Weeding is best done more frequently to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Taking into account the recommendations will allow you to get a high-quality harvest in the form of large potatoes.

Planting in fertile soil will help to get a high yield. Potatoes prefer mostly light soils. Additional recommendations for choosing a location:

• the site must be well lit and not exposed to drafts;

• the groundwater level should be located deep;

• if waters are flowing close to the surface, drainage must be provided.

If there is no light soil nearby, you can lighten the soil yourself. The desired result is achieved with the help of river sand and humus or wood ash. After adding the components, the soil must be loosened and thoroughly mixed. In addition, this approach will kill the larvae of the pests and prevent the spread of fungal spores.

The variety is resistant to most diseases and pest attacks. However, gardeners are advised to carry out preventive treatment of plants with special means.