Riddle of potato patches - description and characteristics of potatoes "Black Prince"

The Black Prince is a bright representative of dark fruit varieties of potatoes. Neat tubers of medium size are well kept, long-lasting taste and delicate flavor.

The variety is not very productive, but unpretentious and resistant to many diseases. Beautiful roots are suitable for sale, but most gardeners grow them for personal use.

In this article you will find a detailed description of the variety, its characteristics and peculiarities of cultivation, get acquainted with possible diseases and pests that could harm the vegetable.

Origin

The origin of the Black Prince variety is undefined. There are several hypotheses, according to one - this is the popular name for a dark-fruited variety of Dutch or Israeli selection.

Other experts believe that the name combines several similar varieties. In the State Register of the Russian Federation does not appear, but is widespread among gardeners-fans of different countries.

Potatoes are not grown on industrial fields, more often it can be found in amateur farms or on small farms. Usually, the Black Prince is planted as an exotic addition to other, more familiar potato varieties.

Black Prince potatoes: variety description

The Black Prince is a medium early table variety, distinguished by its high tuber taste. The potato is resistant to heat and drought, prefers light sandy soil, very responsive to fertilizer.

Productivity is relatively low, with 1 hectare can be collected up to 100 quintals of selected tubers. Harvest well stored, roots are not damaged when digging and do not require sorting during storage.

Read more about the timing, temperature, problems of storage of potatoes. And also about how to store roots in the winter, on the balcony and in drawers, in the refrigerator and peeled.

To compare the yield and keeping quality of a variety with others, you can use the table below:

Bushes are tall, upright, intermediate type. The branches are moderately sprawling, the formation of green mass is average. Leaves are medium-sized, light green, with slightly wavy edges. The corolla is compact, assembled from large blue flowers.

Berry formation is low. The root system is powerful, 5-7 large potatoes are formed under each bush, there is practically no non-commodity trifles.

The variety is resistant to various diseases: potato cancer, golden cyst-forming nematode, common scab, various viruses: vetricillosis, Fusarium, Alternaria. Infection with late blight or blackleg is possible.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the main advantages of the variety:

• excellent taste of root crops;
• excellent commodity qualities of potatoes;
• root crops are not damaged when digging;
• the harvest is stored for a long time;
• drought resistance, heat resistance;
• tolerance to overmoistening and short-term cooling;
• resistance to major diseases.

Among the shortcomings can be noted a relatively low yield.. Variety is suitable as a supplement to other potatoes, they can sow only part of the site.

Description of the root

• tubers are moderately large, weighing from 70 to 170 g;
• oval shape, slightly elongated;
• tubers are smooth, neat;
• peel dark purple, evenly colored, moderately thin, smooth;
• eyes superficial, shallow, few, unpainted;
• the flesh on the cut is light beige, slightly pinkish;
• starch content is low, ranging from 12 to 16%;
• high content of protein, vitamins, valuable amino acids, beta carotene.

The potatoes have a great taste.: balanced, bright, not watery. Experts note the delicate aroma of tubers, which lasts after preparation.

The taste of potatoes is largely dependent on the amount of starch in its tubers. In the table below you can see what this indicator is for different varieties:

When cutting potatoes do not darken, in the cooking process is not boiled soft, but becomes very tender and crumbly. Suitable for mashed potatoes, fried slices, stuffing, stewing. Tubers can be baked with the peel, it is very useful, rich in antioxidants and vitamins.

A photo

You have read the description of the characteristics of the “Black Prince” potato above, we suggest to see it in the photo:

Features of growing

Agrotechnology for this potato is standard. Medium sized tubers are selected for planting., flat, not recovered, not damaged by pests: wireworm or medvedka. It is advisable to use roots with pronounced varietal qualities: bright flesh, the maximum dark skinned, small eyes. Such a selection will help to obtain a quality crop and protect the variety from degeneration and erosion.

Depending on the climate and soil composition of potatoes can be planted in a trench or traditional way. The first is ideal for light sandy soils. When planted in loam or black soil, it is better to place the tubers in the holes located at a distance of 30 cm from each other. The depth does not exceed 10 cm. It is recommended to decompose the humus mixed with wood ash into the wells.

Potatoes are drought-resistant, but with proper soil moisture, crop yields increase, the tubers are larger. Drip irrigation combined with sprinkling is recommended.

When sprouts reach a height of 20 cm, they are spud, forming high ridges. In the future, hilling is carried out 1-2 more times, it improves soil aeration and protects the bushes from pests. Mulching will help in weed control.

The variety is sensitive to the nutritional value of the soil, which means that the potatoes need to be fertilized. During the planting season is recommended to feed at least 2 times. In the first phase, a diluted mullein or an aqueous solution of urea is used.

After flowering, the bushes are fertilized with potassium sulfate. Each bush should be about 500 ml of the finished solution. Possible and root feeding. Shrubs are sprayed with an aqueous solution of superphosphate 10-12 days before harvesting. The procedure helps the tubers to become larger and more beautiful.

More information about how, when and how to feed potatoes, how to do it when planting, read the additional articles on the site.

Diseases and pests

The “Black Prince” variety is resistant to many dangerous diseases: potato cancer, golden cyst nematode, common scab. During an epidemic of late blight, planting is copiously sprayed with copper-containing preparations, and the introduction of wood ash into the soil from blackleg and root rot helps.

Like other dark-fruited varieties, it is very attractive for pests, especially Colorado beetles and wireworms (clicker beetle larvae). Spraying is saved from flying insects by industrial insecticides; for the prevention of wireworm, the tubers are necessarily treated before planting. It is necessary to weed out in time and mulch between rows with straw or sawdust.

In the fight against the Colorado potato beetle will help chemicals: Aktara, Corado, Regent, Commander, Prestige, Lightning, Tanrek, Apache, Taboo.

When growing potatoes, additional chemicals are often used to improve yields or pest control.

Read all about the benefits and dangers of fungicides and herbicides in the detailed articles of our site.

Potatoes "Black Prince" - a very interesting variety that is highly valued by amateur gardeners. Potatoes are good for health, beautiful even tubers can be baked with the peel, fry, simmer or boil. Plants rarely get sick and feel good on any soil.

There are many interesting ways to grow potatoes. We invite you to get to know Dutch technologies in detail, to learn more about growing under straw, from seeds, in bags, in barrels and in boxes.

We also offer you other varieties of potatoes with different ripening terms:

Watch the video: History through the eyes of the potato - Leo Bear-McGuinness (November 2024).