Description of the eggplant variety Ilya Muromets, its characteristics and yield
Seed-growing company "Gavrish" of Russian selection for the production of seeds provides a huge selection of various varieties of eggplant. Each culture is endowed with high productivity and taste. However, according to gardeners, the Ilya Muromets variety eggplant is very popular. Its unusually large fruits, high yield and versatility, combined with additional advantages, will be appreciated by even the most fastidious summer resident.
Description and characteristics of the variety
Ilya Muromets eggplant belongs to mid-season crops. The growing season from seed germination to the beginning of fruiting is 113 days on average. The culture is quite high-yielding. From one square. m, subject to the rules of agricultural technology, you can collect more than 10 kg of giant fruits.
General characteristics of eggplants:
- shape - cylindrical;
- size - 35-40 cm in length, diameter - 10 cm;
- weight - 500-700 g;
- the skin is thin, glossy, deep purple;
- the pulp is creamy white, without bitterness and with a small amount of seed nest;
- the taste is of high quality.
The universal purpose allows you to use the fruits of Ilya Muromets in the preparation of hot dishes and winter preservation.
Eggplant of this variety can be grown throughout Russia. However, if in the southern regions Ilya Muromets prefers open ground, then in the northern part of the country it is recommended to plant it in greenhouse structures.
Advantages and disadvantages of eggplant Russian Bogatyr
Description of eggplant Ilya Muromets says that it is a fairly productive crop that is undemanding to care.
Such qualities are undoubtedly a big plus of the variety. In addition, this culture has the following advantages that will appeal to every summer resident:
- delicious taste;
- multifaceted healing properties;
- universality of use;
- transportability;
- long shelf life.
The main disadvantages of the Russian Bogatyr eggplant were not revealed. But it is still worth noting that, although this is a thermophilic culture, it does not tolerate strong heat. Therefore, before you start cultivating a variety, you need to know a few rules for growing it.
Growing eggplant
The Ilya Muromets Russian Bogatyr variety, like all similar crops, has a long germination period. Therefore, in order to get an early harvest, eggplants must be grown in seedlings.
Seed sowing time
The sowing time of the Russian Bogatyr depends on the chosen cultivation method. So, according to the observations of experienced summer residents, if eggplants are planted in greenhouse structures, it is better to plant seeds in mid - late February. In this case, the seedlings for transplanting to a permanent place of growth will be ready by 15-20 days of May.
If the eggplants grow outdoors, the seeds are planted at a later date. The best time for this is the second half of March.
Sowing seedlings
Before proceeding with sowing eggplants, it is first necessary to prepare the soil material. To do this, mix 2 parts of humus and one part of the top layer of soil and sand. Then it is recommended to add 60 g of superphosphate and 2 tbsp. To 1 bucket of the resulting mixture. l. wood ash.
After the performed procedure, the soil material is well mixed and laid out in peat pots.
The sowing process is carried out in the following way:
- The planting material is processed with potassium permanganate and placed in hot water at a temperature of +50 degrees for 15 minutes.
- After the specified time has elapsed, the seeds are placed in moist soil to a depth of 2 cm.
- Seeds are covered with soil and watered with airborne droplets.
- Peat pots are covered with foil and placed in a dark place with a temperature of +25 degrees.
When the first shoots appear, the container is freed from the covering material and transferred to the windowsill. During the next week, it is recommended to maintain a temperature regime of +16 degrees during the day and +13 degrees at night. Then the air temperature is raised to +28 degrees.
When growing seedlings, you need to take into account the fact that it does not tolerate drafts well. Therefore, during the airing of the room, it is recommended to cover young seedlings or rearrange them to another place.
Choosing a landing site
In the case when Ilya Muromets eggplants are grown in the open field, it is very important to choose the right place for their growth. Taking into account the peculiarities of the culture, the beds must be located in a well-lit area, but at the same time protected from direct sunlight and wind. As a rule, such places are located along the walls of fences or greenhouses.
The best predecessors for eggplant are:
- cabbage;
- legumes;
- cucumbers;
- carrot;
- zucchini;
- pumpkin.
At the same time, it is not recommended to plant eggplants in those places where potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and other nightshade crops were grown before.
Transplanting
Planting of seedlings in greenhouse facilities is carried out in mid-May. In the open ground, transplantation occurs at the beginning of June, when the weather is stable and warm.
The standard for planting eggplants in open and closed ground is the same, it is carried out as follows:
- Holes are dug in the chosen place according to the scheme 50 x 70 cm.
- A support is installed in the pits.
- Each depression is watered abundantly with warm, settled water.
- In the prepared holes in a vertical position, carefully, without disturbing the root system, pre-moistened seedlings are installed.
- The plants are sprinkled with earth and tied with braid to the support.
After the performed manipulations, the soil around each seedling is mulched with dry straw and peat.
Crop care recommendations
Complex agricultural technology for the Ilya Muromets variety consists of the same tasks as for all types of vegetable crops. However, it has its own characteristics that are worth paying attention to.
Irrigation rules
Eggplants Russian Gigant are recommended to be regularly watered with warm water. Otherwise, they slow down their growth, which negatively affects their productivity.
Plant watering scheme:
- The first irrigation is carried out 3-4 days after transplanting.
- Before the first inflorescence appears, water is applied once a week.
- At the stage of flowering and ripening of fruits, watering is carried out every 4 days.
Recommended volume of water per 1 sq. m - 10-12 liters.
Required fertilizers
Like all crops, eggplants need complex fertilizers. On average, during the period of their growth, fertilizing is applied three times:
- Before flowering.
- During the period of fruit ovary.
- During the harvest.
Fertilizers are used in liquid form at the root. Calculation of nutrients per 1 sq. m:
- potassium salt hydrochloric acid - 8 g;
- superphosphate - 15 g;
- ammonium nitrate - 15 g.
If the summer is cold, with a lot of wet precipitation, it is recommended to feed the eggplants by foliar method.
Bush formation
An important element in the cultivation of the Ilya Muromets variety is the formation of a bush. As a rule, the plant should have no more than three stems, which are selected from the strongest shoots. After its formation, when it reaches a length of more than 3 cm, all lateral branches and leaves are removed. It is especially worth paying attention to those greens that shade the inflorescences. Otherwise, there will be a decrease in yield and a delay in its ripening.
Diseases and pests
As a rule, improper care affects the development of diseases in Ilya Muromets' eggplant.
If you limit the plants to light, timely watering and fertilization, they begin to suffer from diseases such as:
- curling leaves;
- blackleg;
- yellowness of the leaves;
- black spot;
- powdery mildew.
Coping with these diseases is possible only in the early stages of their development. Therefore, it is worthwhile to inspect the plants in a timely manner and take appropriate measures.
Of the most dangerous pests that can harm eggplants, gardeners isolate the Colorado potato beetle. Collecting insects and their larvae by hand is considered a more effective method to control them. If gardeners have little free time, it is recommended to use insecticides.
Harvesting and storage
The first harvest of Russian Bogatyr eggplants, on average, falls on the 35-40th day after the beginning of flowering. The ripening of the fruit can be judged by the rich dark purple skin and firmness of the pulp.
The collection of eggplants should be done very carefully with a knife. The fruits are cut off together with the calyx, leaving a stalk 3 cm long.
Eggplants are stored for quite a long time. Subject to the temperature regime of +10 degrees and a relative humidity of 90%, the fruits do not lose their commercial qualities for more than 1 month. However, they should be stored in a dry, dark place.
Having familiarized yourself with all the above characteristics of the Ilya Muromets variety, one can come to the conclusion that this is a fairly successful find for every summer resident. If you follow all of the above tips of agricultural technology, the plant will thank you with a high yield of delicious and healthy eggplants, regardless of how they are grown.
