Description of the Lileya potato variety, features of cultivation and care
Not so long ago, Belarus took a leading position worldwide in the cultivation and selection of potatoes. All of their varieties are distinguished by the productivity and quality of the fruit. However, from all crops, horticultural producers isolate Lileya potatoes. The variety gained such popularity due to the stable yield of tasty tubers, good immunity and unpretentious care. In addition, the plant can grow on all types of soil, which expands its area of distribution.
Description of the variety
Lileya potatoes are early-ripening vegetable crops. The growing period from the first emergence of seedlings to harvest is 50–65 days. The yield of the variety is high, its indicator reaches 680 c / ha. At the same time, more than 8 tubers are formed in one bush, without unmarketable fines.
Description of Lileya potatoes:
- The bush is strong, strongly branched.
- Stems are semi-vertical.
- Foliage - numerous, medium-sized, dark green.
- Inflorescence - 2-3 fork-shaped, white.
- Tubers are uniform, yellow in color, round-oval, weighing from 100 to 250 g.
- The pulp is boiled, moderately sweet, tasty.
- Purpose - dining room.
- The value of tubers is 11-18% starch content, rich in carotene.
For its intended purpose, the variety is used in stews, frying, mashed potatoes, soups and casseroles. In addition, good semi-finished products come out of it, which are appreciated in the trading market.
Growing
The characteristic of the Lileya variety suggests that it is a fairly high-yielding crop. However, the quality and quantity of fruits are influenced by the nuances involved in growing the plant. So, according to the recommendations of horticultural producers, potatoes should not be planted in the place where nightshade crops grew before it. The best predecessors for the variety will be:
- cucumbers;
- annual herbs;
- legumes;
- cabbage crops.
In this case, the soil should be fertile, loose and light. You can improve the quality of the soil in the fall by plowing the soil 30 cm deep and adding humus with complex fertilizers to it.
Potatoes are planted, previously germinated. The best time for this will be late April or early May, when the soil warms up to 10 degrees. Planting pattern: 35 cm between bushes and 80 cm between rows.
Care features
To create comfortable conditions for the variety, it will be enough to observe simple agrotechnical work.
Plant care includes:
- Watering. Irrigation is carried out as the soil becomes arid. The best option for watering is the drip method. Using this method, all the bushes will receive the right amount of water evenly.
- Weeding.Timely removal of weeds and loosening of the soil will contribute to the quality development of the root system.
- Hilling. Rolling soil to the lower parts of the plant increases the space for tuber development and growth. This manipulation is carried out at least 2 times, for the entire time of growing potatoes.
- Top dressing. Complex fertilizers are used for intensive plant growth. They are introduced in liquid form, having previously combined with droppings.
Observing these rules in care, it will be possible to increase the advantages of the variety.
Advantages and disadvantages
The peculiarities of the Lileya variety are considered to be that it has no flaws. According to gardeners and summer residents, potatoes can grow in any territory of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine. It is unpretentious in the choice of soil and is resistant to temperature changes.
In addition, the variety is endowed with the following advantages:
- early maturity;
- high productivity;
- good commercial quality of fruits;
- long-distance transportation;
- versatility;
- unpretentiousness in agricultural technology;
- long storage.
In addition, the variety is immune to potato diseases and pests.
Pests and diseases
Judging by the characteristics, potatoes of the Lileya variety are endowed with increased resistance to diseases such as golden cyst nematodes, bacterial rot, cancer, and aucuba mosaic. In addition, the variety has good immunity to pests, which are attracted by the green leaves and inflorescences of the plant.
However, a sharp bloom of a large number of insects and the development of common scab can negatively affect the yield of the variety. To prevent such consequences, it is recommended to observe a number of preventive works:
- Before planting, potato bulbs are treated with special disinfectants.
- During growth, the plant is sprayed at least 3 times with insecticidal preparations.
- All damaged stems and leaves are promptly disposed of from the site.
Observing this simple prevention and appropriate care, the potato will thank you with a high yield both in cultivation in small household plots and in large-scale industry.
Harvesting and storage
You can estimate the harvest period yourself. To do this, you need to closely monitor the tops of the plant. If green foliage is observed on the potatoes, then the process of growth and development of tubers has not yet ended. Therefore, it is too early to harvest. As soon as the tops acquire a yellowish tint and begin to dry out, you can safely start digging potatoes. To facilitate this process, it is recommended to completely trim off the stems and leaves about 2-3 days before harvest.
After the potatoes have been dug out, the tubers must be dried. To do this, they are laid out on plastic wrap and left in the sun for about 3-4 hours. After that, the potatoes are cleared of the ground and sorted into food, change and planting material. Then the crop is laid out in bags and transported to storage.
The Lileya potato variety is stored exclusively in the cellar, with a temperature regime of 2-3 degrees above zero. In this case, the underground room must have a ventilation hood. For the convenience of storage, wooden boxes, mesh bags are used. Such recommendations are due to the fact that the bulb should be sorted out from rot once every 3 months.
Having considered the above characteristics, advantages and features of the Lileya variety, you can independently verify its uniqueness. Having planted this crop even in agricultural enterprises, even in small vegetable gardens, each fruit grower will be satisfied with the quality of its products.
