Potato of Colombo variety: description, specifications, reviews, photo

Potato variety Colombo is an early variety bred in Finland and well established in Russia due to its good taste and resistance to many types of diseases. Due to high ratings this variety became one of the most popular among Russian truck farmers. It is worth considering the description of the cultivar Colombo with photos and reviews about it in more detail.

From the history

It is believed that potatoes came to Russia thanks to Peter I in the 17th century. To fight the peasant famine, Peter I ordered the spread of tubers among the people. Unfortunately, the peasants have not received this exotic vegetable. It was planted only by foreigners who lived in Russia.

Catherine II also made an attempt to popularize the potato culture among the peasant population. Peasants planted it, ate the tops and green tubers, were poisoned by them and did not want to plant potatoes any more. Later, peasants began to sell potatoes, although they did not eat it, for fear of poisoning. And the farmers did not want to change the easy labor of sowing and collecting rye for a heavy harvest of potatoes.

Only by the end of the XIX century the potato vegetable was finally able to reach the tables of Russian peasants. In the XX century it became popular on noble and peasant tables.

Modern agricultural technology

Modern varietal potatoes, including Colombo, require a certain composition of the soil. Potatoes like light chernozem. He does not like too much chernozem or very light soils.

The acid composition of the soil causes diseases and instability in pests in potatoes.

To maintain a fertile soil composition, you need to bring in cow dung every fall. Mullein is mixed with chernozem dust and scattered on the ground. For each square meter, 1 kg of manure is sufficient. Exceed this amount is not worth it, since cow manure is a nitrogen fertilizer.

If there is a lot of nitrogen, the potato grows a strong green tops. But even in the absence of ovaries, harvest can not be collected.

Plant potatoes in late April - early May. If planted earlier, you will have to work hard to help grow potatoes in insufficiently heated soil.

Colombo is planted 56 days before harvest, as this variety belongs to the early.

Hilling and feeding

Hilling is an indispensable procedure for growing potatoes.

Initial hilling is performed when the shoots have grown to 5-10 cm. No fertilizing is done. Before hilling it is necessary to remove all weed plants, rooting them out with the root.

The next hilling is performed before flowering. Also we remove all weeds manually.

Since autumn the soil where the Colombo potatoes will grow, is fertilized by the mullein.

Before the tops begin to bloom, potassium sulfate and wood ash are introduced into the soil.

In the flowering period, potato bushes are fertilized once more. Use phosphorus fertilizer. Its granular form is convenient.

Secrets of high productivity

In addition to fertilizers and hilling, when growing potatoes it is important to comply with the temperature regime.

In southern regions, with a heat of 40 degrees, the growth of tubers ceases. At this time, the culture should be watered with cool water, so that during the day, moisture, evaporating, cooled the soil.

Cold overcast summer is also unfavorable for potatoes. Harvest in such periods is reduced.

The optimum temperature regime for growing potatoes is 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Description of potato Colombo for high yields advises to properly prepare the planting tubers.

Large tubers are divided with a knife over the steam. Then they are held for two weeks in sunlight, at which time the cut is tightened by the skin. After that you can land. Small tubers are planted entirely.

You can plant seeds prepared in advance. Seeds are taken from bushes that yield the highest yields.

Do not put the same grade of potatoes on the same plot. Potatoes do not like the same soil and degenerate with age. It is useful to change the variety or plot for sowing. In these cases a good harvest is provided.

Of potato pests, the Colorado beetle is dangerous. It will help to get rid of a special product that is on sale. The substance will disintegrate in a month and will not have time to damage the crop.

Characteristics of the variety

Potato bushes Colombo are medium-sized, can be erect and spreading. Leaves are green in color, medium or large. Corollas on the reverse side have a weak anthocyanin color, which may be absent.

Potato variety Colombo is resistant to diseases such as potato cancer, as well as to the potato nematode. The average resistance to phytophthora.

Potato tubers turn out to be even and regular in shape. The flesh and the peel are yellow. The weight of the tuber is from 80 to 125 grams. The starch level is 11-15%. The taste is evaluated perfectly.

The commercial appearance of tubers is estimated at 81-98%, shelf life is 95%.

Yield of about 42,45 t / ha.

This is the description of the Columbo potato variety, reviews of it supplement the available information.

Testimonials for truck drivers

Potato variety Colombo, according to farmers, has high marks.

This variety is valued for such properties:

1. Great taste. Potatoes are not strongly boiled, to taste tender and not watery, soft and pleasant.
2. Attractive appearance.
3. Early ripeness. Harvest can be removed after a month and a half (40-50 days) after planting.
4. Uncomplicated care.
5. Resistance to lack of moisture. The variety does not require frequent irrigation. At the same time the quantity of harvest does not decrease.
6. High yield. 10-15 potatoes are collected from the bush.
7. Resistance to cancer and nematode.

Among the shortcomings highlight the short shelf life of the variety. Potato of Colombo variety is kept no more than half a year. However, a lot depends on the storage conditions.