Potato is one of the favorite vegetables consumed by residents of various countries, not excluding Russia. The most popular varieties of potatoes that do not require special care, tolerate the troubles of bad weather, are stored without loss in the winter, are tasty and nutritious. Potato Gala has all these qualities. The product of German selection has gained popularity among Russian farmers.
Material Content:
Description and characteristics of the variety
The variety is universal, its cultivation is possible under various weather conditions, on different soils.
Here is a description of the potato variety Gala:
| Productivity | 700 c / 1 ha |
| Ripening time | 70-80 days |
| Mass of ripened tubers | 110-150 g |
| Tuber color | Yellow |
| The number of tubers per bush | Up to 25 pcs. |
| Starch content | 13-14 % |
| Growing areas | Territory of Russia |
| Disease resistance | Rhizoctonia infection is possible |
| Growing conditions | Positive response to top dressing and watering |
| Original seeds | NORIKA GMBH (Germany) |
The plant has some differences from other varieties used. Sprouts appear direct, resistant to breaking off. The bushes do not grow very tall, with a strong stalk, the inflorescences are quite small, white. The foliage and stalks of this potato are richly green, the leaves have the usual shape, slightly wavy edges.
How the Gala variety was bred
A fairly young representative of potatoes obtained as a result of the work of breeders from Germany, known since the early 2000s.The Russians became interested in this variety, as a culture capable of withstanding the difficult climatic conditions of various regions of the country. Here he was registered in the State Register in 2008.
The taste of potatoes Gala
The tubers have a yellow-beige light. Hues change with the weather during their growth and maturation. Unlike varieties with yellow tubers, they do not boil during heat treatment, maintain a neat shape, do not change color, do not darken.
This is a table variety. Experienced tasters evaluate its taste at 9 points out of 10. For nutrition, a low starch content (14%) is also important. In general, potatoes are rich in protein, vitamin C, carotene. This is a godsend for those who wish not to consume a large amount of calories.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Like any variety, it has advantages and disadvantages.
Almost all who were involved in the cultivation of potatoes of the Gala variety, highlight its positive aspects:
- Its cultivation is possible on almost all types of soils that are present on the territory of Russia. Most suitable climate is the middle zone.
- High yield. Almost all tubers weigh 80-140 g.
- Unpretentious in leaving. Allows a shift in landing dates depending on the weather.
- Reaching ripeness in 80 days.
- Resistant to major types of diseases.
- Good preservation of tubers during winter storage.
- Excellent taste, preservation of the form of the product during cooking, low starch content while maintaining other beneficial substances.
Unfortunately, in any case, one cannot do without some minuses when choosing a variety, namely:
- To achieve all the positive characteristics of the variety, all agricultural practices and requirements must be followed. The culture needs moist soils, during drought additional watering is required so as not to lose crop. However, excess moisture is also unacceptable.
- Plants are affected by a fungus, the result of which is rhizoctonia. This is evidenced by spots on tubers and sores on the green parts of the plant.
It should be noted that the positive characteristics of the variety exceed its small disadvantages. Following the rules, it is possible to get a tasty and healthy product of high yield.
Planting potatoes in the open ground
For planting, pre-prepared potato seeds are used. Depending on the climate, planting dates are chosen. For central Russia, this is mid-May. The term can be determined from the desired date for the receipt of finished tubers - after 80 days.
On a previously prepared site, pits are made, their depth is 10 cm. They are placed no closer than 75 cm. As soon as the shoots appear, they must be sprinkled with earth so that the tubers are not exposed. Having the potatoes in rows, between the plants leave 50 cm, and the rows are placed after 80 cm. The potatoes are sprouted up and cut down.
If the site is slightly fertilized in the fall, you should fertilize after planting. It can be chicken droppings (infusion 1:10). With this solution, grooves between plants are watered.
It is good to use urea in an aqueous solution - 1 spoon per 10 liters of water, or ammonium nitrate - 20 g per 10 liters of water. Such solutions watered the soil around the planting half a liter under the plant.
Cultivation and care
For the good development of potatoes, proper care is necessary.
Watering
Watering is necessary for the growth of the bush and roots, for the formation of a large succulent tuber. A plant is watered three times a season, if the year is not arid. In dry weather, watering is done more often. The variety is drought tolerant, but cannot develop without water.
It should be remembered that the Gala potato is a drought tolerant variety, so waterlogging is fatal for it.
In dry weather, it is useful to water young shoots that have grown to 5 cm. For such a small bush, 3 liters of water will be enough, pour it into the middle of the bush.
A flowering potato bush will need up to 8 liters of liquid. Before watering, check the condition of the soil.If at a depth of 10 cm it is dry, it is necessary to water the plant.
Loosening
Whenever a dry crust forms on the surface of the earth, the soil needs to be loosened. The first cultivation is done five days after the tubers are planted. Loosening breaks the crust, promotes the penetration of oxygen into the soil, facilitates the ability of sprouts to break through the ground. In this case, weed roots are damaged, which contributes to their destruction.
Hilling
Hilling protects potato tubers from temperature differences, from overdrying, contributes to better root formation and fruiting of the plant.
The first hilling is carried out when the stems reach a height of 12 cm. The second time this procedure is carried out after 2-3 weeks, this is determined by the growth rate of the bush. They form ridges 30 cm high.
For hilling, the best time is early morning, when the soil is still wet. It is good to do this after rain or watering. If the soil is too dry, hilling cannot be done. Dry ground will showy, the roots may become bare.
Feeding
For this variety of potatoes, three top dressings are needed per season. Mineral and organic fertilizers are good for him. If you have applied top dressing during planting, the next one needs to be done at the first hilling. It must include nitrogen. Suitable nitrofoska, ammofoska, ammonium nitrate. Consumption is indicated on the package. Usually, no more than 40 g of fertilizer is dissolved in 10 liters of water.
With repeated hilling, fertilizers are introduced, which include phosphorus and potassium. This is superphosphate, potassium sulfate (20 g / 5 l of water). It is good to use Kemira or Agricola.
Variety-typical diseases and pests
Potato varieties Gala - the elite among this culture. It is resistant to major "potato" diseases. Not afraid of scab, late blight, cancer and glandular spotting.
Inherent diseases:
- Foliage Twisting Virus.
- Phytophthora of green parts of a plant.
- Rhizoctonia.
The best way to avoid the disease is prevention. An important part of this process is the preparation of seed potatoes. They are placed in various solutions to destroy possible pathogens.
If you find twisted leaves near the potato bushes on your plot, you can use tubers for food. But such material is not suitable for planting.
When a pest such as the Colorado potato beetle appears in a small garden, you can manually collect its individuals or use folk remedies.
Harvesting and storage
This early ripening potato ripens in 80 days. In the southern regions there is an opportunity to get at least two crops.
10 days before the start of potato harvesting, you should mow and remove the tops. This will improve the taste, preserve the neat appearance of the tubers, increase its safety and integrity during transportation.
To destroy possible diseases, potatoes are treated with special preparations. It can be Maxim or Bactofit.
In the cellar, it is stored in bulk or poured into boxes. Humidity in the room should not be higher than 90%, storage temperature 0-7 0C. Before storing, the tubers must be dry.
Growing vegetables always requires some effort. In order that they are not wasted, it is necessary to study the agrotechnical requirements of the culture that you are going to cultivate. Variety determination is an important condition. Potato Gala would be the right choice. It will allow you to get a decent harvest in any climate.
