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This potato variety attracts with rather simple care and excellent taste. If you follow the storage rules, the harvested crop will survive the winter and next spring without loss. It can be used both in the garden and in industrial cultivation. It grows well in the central zone of Russia, in those regions where there is a warm temperate climate.
Culture information
The unusual name of the variety attracts attention. It has to do with how its tubers look. The potatoes are yellow, and the eyes and the small space around them have a distinct red color. This is a bit like an artist's palette. It could be called Pablo Picasso's potatoes. This variety has another name - Ivan da Marya. If the tuber is cut, then inside it will practically not differ from most other varieties - the pulp of the root vegetable has a light cream color.
The variety was created in the Netherlands by Agrico. In 1995, the Picasso variety was entered in the State Register.
Picasso variety
When experts evaluated his varietal taste, Picasso received five out of five possible points.
Characteristics and features of the variety
Picasso potatoes are table varieties. By the time of ripening, it is considered medium-late. If we take into account the ripening time, then it will average from 120 to 130 days. The yield of this variety is high. It is possible to collect four kilograms of potato tubers from each square meter.
Bushes at Picasso are tall, erect, spreading. The leaves are large and have a dark green color. The flowers of this variety are white.
Flowering potatoes
The tubers are characterized by a round-oval shape. The eyes are shallow, reddish. One tuber, on average, weighs from 120 to 130 grams. If we talk about the starch content, then it is less than that of conventional varieties, and is only 10%. This characteristic of Picasso potatoes affects the variability of the tubers: due to the low starch content, the potatoes do not boil.
Another of the advantages of Picasso is resistance to certain diseases of a viral nature. In particular, this applies to type A and YN pathogens. In addition, Picasso potatoes are less vulnerable to some insect pests. The Colorado potato beetle, as well as the potato nematode, rarely attack this plant.
Unfortunately, Picasso is vulnerable to late blight. The tubers are not very susceptible to this disease, while the tops, on the contrary, are vulnerable to it. The main signs of late blight disease are drying and curling of the leaves.
Central Europe is considered to be one of the most suitable places for growing potatoes of the variety in question. It is also effective to cultivate in areas with chernozem soil type.
An important feature of this variety is that this potato has a long shelf life. Until the spring of next year, she will live practically without losses, there will be no rotten or sprouted tubers.
For what many people love this variety, they will tell some of its features:
- Special varietal taste and aroma;
- The variety is good for cooking and for use in salads;
- Relatively high resistance to various agricultural pests, as well as diseases;
- If it is transported over long distances or stored in other climatic conditions, then the tubers are well preserved;
- Planting material takes root and germinates well under various climatic conditions, types and properties of soils;
- The ability to store tubers for a long time with minimal losses compared to most potato varieties.
In the Central region of the Russian Federation, its yield usually ranges from 190 to 315 centners per hectare. The highest yield, which has taken place so far, is 320 centners per hectare.
Agricultural technology of cultivation
Since Picasso is highly unpretentious, it is grown in almost all regions of the country where it is possible to grow tuber plants. The variety is also known for its high yield.
Sprouts
Before you start planting potatoes, you need to make sure the quality of the seed. For this purpose, you need to inspect the tubers prepared for planting. They must be round, free from visible damage, and of a standard size and shape. If the size of the potato is more than 120 grams, it is recommended to cut it into two equal parts. After inspection, you need to place them in a lighted place. This is required in order for them to begin to germinate. This is done indoors, and here it is necessary to ensure a constant temperature for a long time. It should be about 12-15 degrees.
It is not recommended to land immediately. First, the tubers must be treated with a special solution. To do this, you can buy "Epin" or "Zircon". They will provide the plant with a certain set of nutrients and trace elements necessary for growth. The treatment will also protect them from dangerous pests and diseases. Germination is optional. However, in the case of its application, the ripening of root crops will be accelerated.
However, in places where summers are short, pre-germination will shorten the time it takes for full maturation. The difference can be 20 to 25 days.
Planting process
When choosing a place for planting, you need to inquire about what crops were previously grown in this place. If we are talking about cucumbers, tomatoes or beets, then it is better to find another place for the Picasso potatoes.
The best time to grow this potato variety is spring. The time should be chosen as follows. We need to wait for the spring frost to end. Only then can you start landing. In this case, this must be done before moisture evaporates from the ground.
In this case, it is necessary to apply fertilizers. Usually organic is added in advance, in the fall. Mineral can be added just before planting.
For the depth of the planting holes, the density of the soil must be taken into account. In cases where the ground is dense and heavy, the depth to which the tuber is buried should be minimal.
Planting is done in the beds. A distance of about 40 centimeters is taken between the shoots. If they are placed closer, then the tubers will independently begin to uproot and turn green under the influence of sunlight.
Planting sprouted potatoes
Interesting. On average, one crop per bush contains 18 to 20 tubers.
The conditions for growing potatoes are determined by the fact that the plant tolerates drought, heat and frost well, as well as large temperature changes. But there is something that plays a particularly important role in the development of potatoes. This is the correct use of fertilizers. If this is neglected, the tubers will lose their quality taste.
When the tops sprout and reach a length of five to seven centimeters, it is necessary to huddle and weed. The next time this will need to be done is when the first flowers appear. It usually occurs one and a half weeks before the onset of mass flowering.
When hilling is carried out, it will be time to carry out the prevention of potatoes against late blight infection. Usually, the procedure is carried out 15-20 days after the very first shoots appear. For processing, you can use "Integral", "Batofit" or "Fitosporin-M".
Important! In this case, you need to pay attention to whether there are signs of the disease. If there are spots of bronze color on the tops, then additional application of potash fertilizers can help.
While drought is not a major problem for Picasso potatoes, it can sometimes be severe. In this case, regular watering will help the plant. It is enough to do this once every 10 days. Drip irrigation is a good option. When determining its volume, it is necessary to take into account the air temperature and the rate at which the liquid evaporates from the soil.
Do not water too often. The break must be at least seven days. Loosening of the soil should be carried out regularly. In particular, it is important to do this after watering. The cultivated land can be slightly mulched to prevent cracking during hot weather.
The time for harvesting can be determined by the following criteria:
- yellowing of the leaves;
- the tops begin to dry.
Fertilize at least three times during cultivation:
- Immediately, as soon as shoots appear;
- Before flowering begins;
- Soon after it started.
It is permissible to add organic fertilizers several times. A month before harvesting, feeding of any kind must be stopped.
Store the harvested potatoes in a dark place at a low temperature. If it does not exceed eight degrees Celsius, the harvest will survive the whole winter almost without damage. If the tubers are exposed to light, they will begin to turn green and sprout, preventing them from being eaten.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
For example, you can compare the yield of this potato with other varieties. As you know, according to the description, the number of tubers, on average, for this variety is 19. For comparison, it can be noted that in the Jelly variety this indicator is 15, in the Tiras variety - from 9 to 12 pieces, and in the Vega variety - from 10 to 12 pieces.
According to the keeping quality, Picasso has an indicator of 90%. The varieties Bullfinch and Rosara surpass him in this parameter. For them, this value is 95% and 97%, respectively. Molly has 82% and Latona has the same keeping value.
Since Picasso grows in different areas with different climatic conditions, the yield can be within wide limits: from 200 to 500 centners per hectare. Most varieties of potatoes have a much lower yield, not exceeding 300-400 centners per hectare.
This variety will be a great option for those who grow potatoes for themselves and for those who do it for sale. Undemanding care, excellent taste, the ability to store almost without loss make it an excellent choice.
