Potato Lorch gained popularity among many gardeners involved in the cultivation of fruits, not only for personal consumption, but also for sale. High yield and attractive appearance, trouble-free transportation are important qualities that play a role in business. From one hectare you can collect a lot of kilograms of potatoes, therefore, the profit from sales will be significant.
Variety Characteristics
Bushes of Lorch potatoes grow quite high, reaching almost 80 cm in height. They have a strong branching. Characterized by light green, slightly dissected leaves of medium size. There are a lot of them. The corolla of the flower is medium in size, prevailing a light red-violet hue. After flowering, berries are almost not formed.
Potato Characteristics:
- Rounded oval tubers are covered with light beige peel. The weight of one potato on average reaches 90-120 g.
- The medium-late variety has a smooth peel structure, but there is slight peeling near the top of the tuber.
- A few eyes that are evenly spaced across the surface of the potato.
- The root vegetable has a white flesh that does not darken during cleaning and cooking. The pulp is soft and slightly watery. Does not lose shape.
- Contains a small amount of starch - 15-20%.
- Excellent palatability is noted.
The advantages of potato include its increased resistance to bacterial diseases, but it regularly encounters late blight of leaves and tubers. Gardeners give preference to this variety due to its versatility - it is used not only for cooking, but also for the manufacture of starch.
Advantages and disadvantages
Lorch potatoes have many advantages. The following points are considered to be advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages | disadvantages |
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Landing Features
Today, several methods are used to grow vegetables. But the most common and effective is planting a vegetable in the beds. According to gardeners, this method brings the greatest yields, often gives a positive result. What is very important, you will not have to spend a lot of time and effort on processing beds with potatoes.
A characteristic of the Lorch variety is its increased resistance to any short-term climate changes, due to which it can be grown even in the northern regions. Unpretentiousness to the composition of the soil is another advantage of the variety.
How to choose a place and prepare the ground?
It is better not to plant potatoes in soils containing clay and sand - these components do not differ in good fertility. Clay soils have a high density, the ability to retain moisture and water - this increases the risk that the tubers are deformed and grow small.
It is preferable to choose bright, even areas where groundwater will not stagnate. When bushes grow in a shaded place, the aboveground part will grow more, and the underground part will only suffer from this.
What rules to follow:
- Pre-prepare the soil by cleaning and feeding it. Fresh organic and mineral fertilizers are added to the soil. When digging, do not forget about the introduction of nitrogenous fertilizers that contribute to a good convergence of seeds and the formation of tubers. When fertilizing the soil in the spring, in the summer, the amount of fertilizing is reduced.
- The gardener must remember crop rotation. With its observance, it will be possible to cope with many problems: to avoid the development of diseases, degeneration of tubers, and the invasion of pests sitting in the ground. After harvesting, do not plant potatoes in the same place for three years.
- The soil should pass air well, because with excellent drainage of the soil, the plants will grow quickly and correctly. Plus, it affects the taste of the fruit.
Crop rotation
For high productivity and the prevention of unwanted diseases, the gardener needs to choose the right precursor plants. The best crops for subsequent potato cultivation are:
- legumes;
- cabbage;
- pumpkin;
- roots;
- cucumbers.
The land on which representatives of nightshade were grown, primarily tomatoes, as well as sorghum and sunflowers, accumulate pathogens and pests, which are especially dangerous for this variety.
Experts recommend a year before planting potatoes to sow the territory with oats - it has a disinfecting property, it can inhibit the vital activity of fungal pathogens of vegetable diseases.
You can find more information on crop rotation here.
Seed preparation
The quality of planting material directly affects the crop: its quantity, external characteristics. Seed is taken carefully, choosing only healthy, strong tubers, the mass of which is not less than 80 g. It is better to plant sprouted potatoes, due to quick sprouts. The use of cut parts of a large fruit is undesirable, because this can affect the decrease in yield.
Rules for germinating potatoes:
- Remove seeds from the basement a month before planting, clean from the ground and spread out in a thin layer on decks or on the floor.
- Ventilate the room where the potatoes are well. The temperature should not be lower than + 12-14 degrees.
- Spray tubers periodically with water to create a greenhouse effect.
- In a week, the first sprouts should appear. Before landing, their height should not be less than 1-2 cm.
- Before planting in the soil, soak tubers in a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
Useful recommendations:
- Greening tubers for seeds. To do this, you need a sufficient amount of sunlight - lay out seeds for 2-3 weeks for good lighting and warming. Accumulated solanine helps protect against fungus and bacterial damage.
- Do not exceed optimum temperature. When storing tubers, the temperature should not be above +4 degrees. Otherwise, the tubers will begin to sprout.
- Awaken the eyes. This method is suitable if there is no time for germination of tubers. Dip the root crops in a potassium permanganate solution, then place the seeds in a plastic bag and warm them up at a temperature of 30 degrees.
Landing methods
When germinating seed before planting, it will be possible to harvest a couple of weeks earlier, and the quality of the seedlings themselves will be much better. Germination usually begins a month before planting.
There are several methods for planting Lorch potatoes in the ground:
- The hole method. It is considered the most common. Dig holes with a shovel at a distance of 40 cm from each other. This is necessary due to the fact that this variety has tall and sprawling bushes. So they will not interfere with each other. The pits should be about 10 cm deep and 70 cm wide between them. The seeds are lowered into the holes with the sprouts up, and then covered with earth.
For better yield, it is recommended to mix the ground with a small amount of compost or manure. It’s not worth putting such fertilizers at the bottom of the hole, because sprouts can suffer from direct contact with it. - Trench method. This method should be used if the garden is very dry soil. They dig trenches in the fall, and then fill them with straw - it helps to retain moisture and subsequently becomes additional fertilizer. The depth of the trench is about 30 cm, the straw layer is about 15 cm. At the time of planting, lower the seeds into the trench, keeping a distance of about 30 cm. Sprinkle with earth.
- Comb method. Used for soils with a high moisture content. Using special equipment, for example, a walk-behind tractor, pour high ridges of about 20 cm. Dig holes in them into which to lower the seeds. Fertilize the soil in the same way as with the hole method.
Lorch potatoes must be lowered into the soil at specified standard times. It has to land in late April or early May. Earth must be well warmed up. If it is cold, the plant will sprout for a long time, due to which its flowering will be delayed. The optimal temperature for planting potatoes is +8 degrees.
Mitlider planting potatoes
Growing potatoes according to the Mitlider is very popular and effective, if you follow the rules. When planting a vegetable by this method, it will be possible to get a large crop, high-quality tubers and excellent fruits. Vertical growth, low but focused irrigation and highly nutritious top dressing are envisaged. Requires the use of boxes for growing. The substrate used for filling is a mixture of 1/3 sand and 2/3 sawdust.
The advantage of the technique is the possibility of application on any surface. Planting potatoes according to the Mitlider is simple. It is useful at different times of the year and in any climate, does not take up much space. It can be used in a greenhouse, with it it is easy to care for potatoes and collect it.
The main requirement is to maintain a close distance between crops, due to which you can plant more plants in a smaller area. Vertical cultivation minimizes the availability of light.
What is the method:
- According to Mitlider, the classic length of the bed should be 9 m. Between the aisles there should be a distance of 105-150 cm.You should not make passes less than the recommended distance, because this will lead to the plants shading each other and there will be little space for their growth.
- Along the perimeter along the fence leave a sanitary zone 1 m wide.
- On the prepared bed, place two rows of potatoes so that the distance between them is at least 30 cm, as well as the distance between the bushes in the row.
- Punch holes with a marker, staggered, next to the sides of the beds. The depth of the ridge is 10 cm.
- Before planting, sprouted tubers with insecticidal or fungicidal preparations.
- Lower the tubers into the wells with sprouts up, then level the bed with a rake.
Care Features
To obtain a good harvest and large, high-quality fruits, it is mandatory to water the plants, loosening and mulching, hilling, fertilizers and top dressing.
Watering
The disadvantage of this variety is drought intolerance. Potato Lorch must be constantly moistened, therefore watering plants should be often and plentiful. With insufficient nutrition and moisture, during the active fruit setting, tuber growth will occur.
Especially important is watering the soil in the southern regions, where drought often occurs. Watering in hot weather should be carried out at least 3-4 times a week. The norm for each bush is considered an average consumption of 4 liters of water per day. The best result can be obtained with an automatic irrigation system.
Plants especially need water during the first sprouts, when buds are tied, flowering begins, tubers grow. It is advisable to water the potatoes early in the morning or in the evening, because at lunch it is very hot, because of which the water instantly evaporates.
Loosening and mulching
Maintaining water balance in the soil provides loosening and mulching. Loosening promotes drainage of the soil, due to which moisture enters as intended. In addition, this measure allows you to get rid of young weed, improve soil quality, stimulating the growth of roots.
Mulching is necessary for long-term retention of moisture in the soil, so that too much active sunlight is not transmitted to the place where the stem leaves the ground. Sawdust or dry grass are used as mulch.
Hilling
Hilling is required so that the potato roots are saturated with oxygen. The active growth of lateral shoots - stolons, on which the formation of root crops later occurs, is stimulated. For the Lorch variety, high hilling is not suitable, if the soil is too strong, the roots may overheat. Hilling should be carried out for the entire season 2-3 times, combining it with watering and fertilizing.
Fertilizer and fertilizing
Previously, it was customary to fertilize potatoes with humus, manure and ash. Today, this method is still applied, but the addition of mineral fertilizers is recommended for organics.
The main dressings are applied three times:
- When sowing. With ash and planting material, put ash and humus or bone meal and nitrophosphate in the hole.
- In 10-12 days. Use chicken droppings diluted with water.
- During flowering. Perform root dressing using potassium sulfate with water.
When choosing fertilizers, the balance of vitamins and minerals is taken into account. Obtaining a large amount of nitrogen will lead to fat in the tops and slow down the growth of tubers. Lack of potassium and phosphorus causes the unattractive appearance of the fruit.
Diseases and pests: control and prevention
Lorch has increased resistance to various diseases and pests. But sometimes plants can become ill or even die if measures are not taken in time.
The most common diseases of the variety:
- Scab. This disease, with the manifestation of which dark tubercles of small sizes appear on the tubers. By touch, the potato becomes rough, and outwardly spotted. The taste of the vegetable also significantly deteriorates. Productivity decreases several times.
The disease is not treated. But it is possible to carry out preventive measures by cultivating the soil before planting, observing crop rotation, using a solution of potassium permanganate or copper-containing preparations. It is important to water the plants regularly. - Potato cancer. This disease leads to the development of heterogeneous splices, subsequently accompanied by rotting processes. The tuber is soaking and falling apart. To prevent the development of the disease on other plants, remove the affected bushes and till the soil. For preventive purposes, use the drug Benomil. Experienced gardeners recommend not to plant a vegetable in the same area for 2-3 years after potato cancer.
Potato cancer
Such pests can also attack potatoes:
- Bear A pest that harms not only the roots and tubers, but also the aerial parts of the plant. Insect gnaws leaves and stems. As a result, the plant quickly dies.
You can protect yourself from the pest with Grizzly, Medvetox, Thunder preparations - pre-sprinkle granules in the hole for planting potatoes.
- Wireworm. The pest bites into the tubers and roots underground. This leads to the death of the plant, rapid spoilage of potatoes.
You can get rid of the pest with the help of the drug Dohlos, Thunder and Actar. Also, when planting potatoes, it is recommended to add a little ash moistened with acetone superphosphate into the wells with seeds.For prevention, regularly remove weeds and plant fragrant herbs near potatoes - the wireworm does not tolerate them.
Potato harvesting and storage
Harvesting of Lorch potatoes occurs in late August and early September, it depends on when the potatoes were planted, what weather conditions were accompanied by how well the gardener looked after the plant. You can determine the ripening of the fruits by yellowing and drying the tops, easy separation of tubers from stolons, the formation of a dense peel on the root crop.
Approximately 10 days before the start of the digging, the tops are mowed, leaving 10-centimeter remains of stems above the ground. Harvested in dry weather. It is better to dig from the row spacing, using forks. Leave the dug potatoes for several hours in the air - this is required to dry the root crops. Then clean the tubers from the ground, discarding the sick and damaged, put them in boxes and bags.
Potatoes of this variety have a long shelf life. The storage of tubers under the right conditions ensures a long shelf life. Be sure to monitor the temperature in the room - it should be no higher than + 2-4 degrees, humidity - no more than 85%. An important condition is ventilation in the room. During storage, the fruits are periodically moved to timely remove rotted tubers.
Grade Reviews
On the Internet you can find a huge number of positive reviews about the variety Lorch. Many gardeners note its versatility, high productivity, undemanding care.
Oksana, 47 years old, a housewife. We have a large garden near the house, so we decided to plant new seeds. My husband and I visited a specialized store, where we were offered the Lorch variety. Seeds did not exceed 5 cm in diameter. The length of each tuber reached 15 cm. We noticed that the roots did not spread anywhere, it’s easy to dig potatoes - all the fruits are in a hole in a bunch. The potatoes have white flesh, excellent taste - the whole family appreciated. They cooked in different ways: they cooked, and fried and baked - super. From two hundred parts received 6 bags of potatoes. The main thing that I liked about this variety was the minimal requirements for leaving. Potato grows on its own.
Marina, 30 years old, lives in her own house. Familiar gardeners recommended a variety of Lorch. For myself, I highlighted several pleasant moments: the bush gives a lot of fruits, sometimes even up to 20 large potatoes. There is very little seed potato, so often I cut a large root crop into several parts into seeds and sprout them. I like the smell of potatoes and its appearance, although I like the yellow varieties. Families like mashed potatoes from Lorch.
Konstantin, 54 years old, gardener. This is not the first year I've been using Lorch potatoes for planting. It is always born well. The tubers are large and the same. Unfortunately, my potato very often suffers from late blight, so I have to regularly monitor the condition of plants and process them. But I am struck by the high yield, external qualities and pleasant taste, and aroma during cooking. When they ask me what kind of potatoes I grow, I recommend only this variety, because among the many that I have tested, this is the best.
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Potato Lorch is today considered one of the popular varieties. It is preferred due to its high yield, excellent appearance and good taste. But in many ways, the yield and appearance of the fruit depends on proper care. The main thing is to follow the rules of planting, growing and caring for the plant.
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