Roco potatoes

Roco potatoes (Rocco in the original version, from the authors) have been successfully grown in Russia for almost 20 years and are included in the State Register for several regions. It is a fruitful variety with large, beautifully shaped tubers. There are practically no deformed tubers. A drought-resistant and unpretentious variety that should be adopted. It can be successfully grown both for commercial purposes and for your own use. Presentability and keeping quality, inherent in Roko, guarantee long-term storage and presentation that remains during long-term transportation.

Roco potatoes are the work of breeders from a well-known Austrian company, who set themselves the task of obtaining a high-yield variety with an average ripening period, which, from the moment of harvest to sale, would retain an attractive appearance for buyers. It was entered into the State Register in 2002 and is successfully cultivated in the regions recommended for cultivation - West Siberian, Volgo-Vyatka and Srednevolzhsky.

The authors of the variety named it Rocco, and under this name it is grown in many countries of the world. In Russia, the doubling of the consonant "k" is gone for the simplification and convenience of gardeners. Optimum yields are obtained in the central and southern regions. Harsh climatic conditions reduce the indicator. But even at the same time, the return on the multi-fruited variety is quite high, despite the need for later planting.

They are medium-ripening potatoes with excellent taste. In regions with a favorable climate, 3 months are enough to get a full harvest. Qualities that determine its relevance:

• large tubers, with an average weight of 75-119 g, regular shape and presentation;

• the ability to endure long-term transportation without mechanical damage and decay;

• tubers with red skin and creamy pulp contain 13-16% starch and a lot of valuable components;

• weakly expressed flowering and versatility of application for food needs;

• good immunity, but not against fungal diseases.

The Roco potato bush yields an average of 12 tubers, but they are all large in size, and therefore the variety has an excellent yield. It is also grown for their own needs. It is suitable for consumption and preparation for the winter (keeping quality 89%). And also the variety is suitable for making commercial profit (tasty, presentable, large, in demand among buyers).

A potato bush of medium height, erect or half keeping this characteristic of the stem. A variety of medium foliage, from the moment the fruits begin to ripen, a gradual reduction in the vegetative mass begins. In some cases, large inflorescences of a beautiful purple-red color are poorly formed, or completely absent. Berries on the bush appear in minimal quantities, are often not found, but are poisonous.

Green leaves of medium size, slightly wavy.

The tubers are medium and large, with a creamy pulp, smooth skin, rich red-raspberry color, smooth and presentable in appearance. There are few eyes and their depth is weak. For almost two decades, Roko has been consistently in the ranking due to its yield and highly rated marketability (from 84 to 96%).

A table variety, category AB, with a relatively low starch content (compared to other common types), can be used for all culinary processes. It does not deform and does not lose useful components during cooking, does not darken when cut. It fits:

• for boiling and preparing white fluffy puree;

• for stewing, cooking vegetable sauces and stews, roasts;

• for frying and French fries;

• preparation of semi-finished products, chips and balls;

• adds flavor to first courses and can be used in winter salads.

In the list of Roco's merits, its excellent taste is certainly present. The pulp does not darken during heat treatment, retains its shape and useful components - vitamins and minerals. A small amount of starch allows you to include it in the diet for dietary meals. Healthy people can eat it to strengthen immunity and prevent diseases, prepare all the dishes of the usual food mentality of a temperate climate.

The timing depends on the climatic conditions. In a region with problematic weather, return colds and early frosts, Roko reaches full ripeness in 3.5 months. Approximately the same terms for cold summers and in regions with more favorable climates, warm springs and hot summers will shorten the period to 3 months.

Lack of rain is not a hindrance to a good harvest, since the variety is drought-resistant and unpretentious in care. But in cold conditions, the ripening period is lengthened, and the product yield decreases. Scientific sources indicate that from the emergence of seedlings to harvest, it takes from 85 to 95 days, but there are other data, up to 100-105 days under adverse weather conditions.

Average indicators - 136-261 c / ha. The maximum can be removed 275 c / ha. According to other sources, 350-400 c / ha. In a bush - up to 12 tubers, from 120 g. In cold climates, numbers 6-12 root crops are called, weighing from 85 g or more. Correct agricultural technology increases the likelihood of a significant yield - for example, you should not rely on the drought resistance inherent in the variety, but provide it with watering in the absence of natural precipitation, carry out hilling and loosening, preventing the formation of a dense crust on the soil and creating aeration for the root system.

The productivity and timely treatment from the fungus, which must be detected at an early stage, will help. This means that permanent monitoring of the state of the potato plantation is necessary.

Care practically does not differ from the requirements for agricultural technology of other varieties of potatoes. Roko is planted with sufficient soil warming (+ 8 ... 10 degrees), deepening by no more than 10 cm. In the south it can be the beginning of May and even the end of April, in the center of Russia - mid-end of May. Hence, there are different periods of harvesting - they can be shortened or prolonged according to the weather and planting time.

For planting, a clean, lighted and ventilated area is chosen, as seed material - purchased from a proven nursery or harvested when sorting your own crop. Wood ash or a little humus is added to the holes. The standard scheme is applied, with a small distance between bushes and wide row spacings (70 cm). An excellent feature of the variety is the formation of tubers separately from the seed material, near the surface of the earth. This makes it easier for the owner of the site to collect a bountiful harvest, Roco will certainly thank the owner for the efforts made in the season with beautiful tubers of a presentable appearance.