This variety is one of the most popular among summer residents, as well as those who grow potatoes for their own consumption. This is due to its excellent taste, ability to withstand long distance transportation, disease and pest resistance. At the same time, in order for Colombo potatoes to give a good harvest, you need to know its key parameters, optimal conditions for growth, the procedure for preventing diseases and pest attacks.

A little about potatoes

The described vegetable has many useful properties that are now widely known. Potato protein contains a large number of various organic acids. The vegetable is rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. Therefore, it has a beneficial effect on the circulatory and nervous systems, helps to strengthen bone tissue, and simply saturates the body with energy. Contains potato tubers and vitamins. They are especially rich in representatives of group B, PP, D, K and E, as well as folic acid, which is necessary for the vital functions of the body.

Interesting.Potatoes are widely used in cooking. You can cook many different tasty and healthy dishes from it. The vegetable is also used for medical purposes, mainly in folk recipes (for example, it is recommended to breathe over potatoes for colds or apply raw fruits for some skin diseases).

The main volume of weight in the tuber is starch, which is also actively used in cooking, everyday life and industry. The vegetable contains the proteins and fats that a person needs, which allows you to ensure a balanced diet.

Characteristics of Colombo potatoes

The homeland of the Colombo potato is Holland (the hybrid was bred in this country). The variety is adapted for cultivation in Russia (included in the State Register), the recommended territory is the middle strip, the regions of the Caucasus and the Central Black Earth Region. However, it can be found in almost all regions. It has gained well-deserved popularity among amateur gardeners, thanks to its qualities such as high yield (from one hectare, with proper care and feeding, you can collect from 220 to 420 centners of tubers), excellent taste characteristics, ease of care and growing.

One of the most productive varieties

Arizona potatoes

It is recommended to grow this variety in the open field. He is quite capable of this. Columbus potatoes (the second name of the described vegetable) is considered a mid-early variety. On average, fruits ripen 70-75 days after planting.

In areas with warm climates, the Colombo potato variety can yield twice a year. The fruits have high consumer qualities:

  • First of all, it can be transported over long distances without fear of damage;
  • Secondly, it is perfectly stored without loss of useful properties for six months (you only need to ensure the temperature is in the region of -1-3 degrees Celsius);
  • Thirdly, the majority of consumers note its excellent taste characteristics;
  • Fourth, safety by the end of the storage season is 95%, the vegetable practically does not germinate under the storage conditions;
  • Fifth, it has excellent commercial properties: the number of fruits ready for sale ranges from 80 to 99%, while it can be sold both wholesale and retail.

An important characteristic of the Colombo potato is its appearance.His bushes stand upright, quite spreading, the foliage is abundant, so looking at the field sown with this crop is very pleasant in summer. The height of the bush reaches 50-55 centimeters. The color of the leaves is emerald, and the flowers are snow-white-lilac.

On a note.The fruits of this variety are light amber, oval, slightly elongated, regular round shape. The average tuber weight is 80 to 130 grams. A feature of Colorado potatoes is their high starch content (up to 15%).

The described variety is a table variety. It can be used in the preparation of both first and second courses. Many praise it as a filling when baking pies. Potatoes do not lose their taste during cooking, frying, baking and other culinary operations. The vegetable is perfectly complemented in various dishes by carrots, onions, beets, peas and other products.

Growing order

The Columbus potatoes described above have standard cultivation techniques. It should be planted in May. The distance between the pits is recommended to be about 35 centimeters, and between the rows - 60 centimeters. Such a scheme will allow in the future to carry out high-quality hilling of the crop and get a high yield. The depth of the hole for planting the tuber is 9 to 10 centimeters so that the vegetable can germinate easily.

Potatoes Zorachka

You should pay attention to the cultures that grew earlier. Colombo potatoes grow well in areas where perennial grasses or legumes were previously grown. Despite the fact that the variety is not picky about the quality of the soil, it gives higher yields on slightly acidic soils, it grows especially well on loam or black soil.

Important! The vegetable is quite picky about the place. It is strictly forbidden to plant varietal potatoes in areas where groundwater flows, since this type of potato does not tolerate excess moisture.

It is necessary to plant potatoes only in well-heated soil. The variety is not very hardy, so frosts can ruin the harvest. It is recommended to regularly loosen the soil to ensure constant air access to the tubers. This will ensure their development and achievement of significant sizes. Loosening is best combined with weeding in order to immediately remove weeds, since the latter take nutrients from the soil, which can cause the fruits to deform. Hilling is a mandatory operation.

Note! Experienced gardeners recommend treating potatoes with chemicals. This ensures the prevention of diseases and pests. The solution of this problem is facilitated by the change of sites for planting. The resting area can be treated with chemical compounds.

A feature of the Colombo varietal potato is its resistance to diseases such as cancer, scab, and golden nematode. The vegetable is rarely affected by late blight. Pests attack potatoes only in case of improper care. This can be avoided by regularly checking the bushes for the presence of beetle larvae. If found, the area must be immediately treated with chemicals.

Pests attack potatoes only in case of improper care

Top dressing with green manure positively affects the yield. They are usually clover, lupine or mustard. The latter scares away the wireworm, and lupine prevents the development of the Colorado potato beetle larvae.

Additional Information. Siderata enrich the soil with substances necessary for the growth of potatoes, while maintaining the air permeability of the soil. It should be borne in mind that at least 2 months should pass from the moment of such feeding to harvesting.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ramona potatoes

The main advantages of the Colombo potatoes, the description of which was given above, are the following:

  • short ripening times;
  • high taste;
  • the ability to get a large harvest while observing the rules of care;
  • resistance to various diseases.

As a disadvantage, many gardeners note its fear of waterlogging, which can significantly worsen the harvest in the event of a large amount of precipitation, as well as low frost resistance. Some also talk about the laboriousness of care (you need to feed, huddle and loosen the soil).

However, the number of advantages significantly exceeds the number of disadvantages, therefore the described variety is very popular and is widely used in cooking.