Cornflower potatoes

Many existing potato varieties are distinguished by their unusual appearance or special purpose for use in the gastronomic field. It is these features that characterize the cornflower potato variety, which has a rare fruit color and is intended for use in dietary nutrition. Tubers of such potato varieties as Cornflower, the color of which makes it possible to classify potatoes as colored varieties, absorb less nitrates than standard varieties, but this does not reduce the percentage of starch and proteins, but, on the contrary, has a positive effect on the vitamin composition. Two medium-sized potato tubers contain vitamin C in the same amount as one lemon.

Creation of the Cornflower variety

The Cornflower variety has been created by domestic breeders for five years by crossing the predecessor varieties. The title of developer of high-quality potatoes Vasilyok and a patent was awarded to the All-Russian Research Institute specializing in potato farming, named after A.G. Lorkh, which belongs to the Russian Academy of Agriculture.

Features of purple potatoes

Ramona potatoes

On a note. Provided that high hilling of the sprouted shoots is carried out, the plant is able to withstand the frosts characteristic of late spring.

Cornflower variety

Mid-season cornflower potatoes ripen on average after 80 days. Enters the flowering period, when the root system forms tubers. At this stage of development, the upper parts of the shoots are covered with purple flowers, the shade of which can be cast red or blue.

The color of the glossy peel of this potato variety is deep purple. An upright bush of medium height belongs to the intermediate type. The mass of one cornflower potato tuber averages 100 grams. Medium open leaves are dark green in color. Internal coloration with anthocyanin substances can be weak or moderate.

The yield of one bush planting is 15 purple tubers. The white pulp has a peculiarity - a cream-colored cut. Cornflower potato fruit can be described as having a dense consistency, soft, with an average rate of mealy and wateriness. Small-sized eyes are located on the surface of the potato tuber.

Interesting. During heat treatment, the potato loses its purple rind color.

How to care for plantings

The soil before planting under seed cornflower potatoes should be dug twice: in the autumn and spring seasons. Planting purple potato tubers in heavy soil conditions is permissible only after applying a large amount of organic fertilizers. Swampy peat soils are suitable for planting after preliminary cultivation and reclamation.

The crop rotation rule that should be followed includes planting the following crops:

• siderates;
• cabbage;
• roots;
• cucumbers;
• legumes;
• pumpkin.

Note. Siderata improve the quality indicators of soil material, supplementing its composition with useful substances and organic matter. Peas and alfalfa are considered ideal green manures for potato crops.

Ripe potato tubers

When selecting a site for planting varietal tubers, preference should be given to a well-lit area, inaccessible to strong through wind.In the hot dry season, when the plant is in the stage of active development, the required level of soil moisture is maintained by three-time watering with the calculation of a three-liter water consumption per one bush planting. Weeding or mulching is required regularly. The first hilling is carried out when the tops have grown to a length of 15 cm. The second time the varietal potato Cornflower is spud when the intermediate gaps disappear between the overgrown plantings.

Important! Loosening of the row spacings to an 8 cm depth is carried out two weeks after planting the seed.

Measures aimed at preventing late blight consist in three-time treatment with medicinal preparations during the growing season.

List of fertilizers applied after planting:

1. a solution of poultry manure in a 10% concentration;
2. urea in the amount of 1 tablespoon per bucket of water;
3. manure in the amount of 1 liter per bucket of water;
4. herbal infusions.

Note! To prevent the appearance of Colorado beetles through the use of fertilizers, during planting, it is recommended to lay a handful of a pre-prepared mixture of earth and wood ash in each hole.

The procedure for preparing ash-wormwood essence, aimed at exterminating the larvae of pest beetles:

1. Grind 3 handfuls of freshly harvested wormwood;
2. Pour boiling water over;
3. Add a glass of ash;
4. Stir the infusion;
5. Insist 4 hours;
6. Strain the finished essence;
7. Spray potato plantings in the morning or evening.

Note. If desired, instead of infusions made on the basis of folk recipes, you can buy chemical fertilizers suitable for this variety.

Positive and negative features

Tubers of the Cornflower variety contain more useful compounds in their composition, in comparison with the fruits of other varieties, and bush plantings are more resistant to many diseases.

Important! The starch content in the table variety Cornflower varies within 13%.

Varietal potatoes Cornflower differs in that, first of all, it is intended for use in the dietary menu. In addition to vitamin C, it contains a large amount of vitamin E. Cornflower tubers are of particular value due to the presence of carotenoids.

Note. Carotenoids, the formation of which is carried out as a result of photosynthesis, are organic pigments of natural origin, which play the role of an antioxidant when they enter the human body, which, in turn, ensure the normal functioning of the reproductive organs, skin and mucous membranes.

Purple Potato Cornflower

Cornflower can be made from purple potatoes:

• soups;
• mashed potatoes;
• boiled tubers;
• fried potatoes.

The yield of this variety, which has remarkable taste, is 180 centners per hectare. Cornflower tubers have a high keeping index.

A negative quality of purple varietal potatoes is susceptibility to mechanical damage. Cornflower has no immunity to lesions by dry and ring rot, golden nematode. Rapid germination of the purple tuber makes it difficult to store during the winter season. It is not recommended to plant such potatoes in soil with high acidity - the bush will give a small yield of small tubers affected by scab.

Proper care of bush plantings and timely application of organic fertilizers will allow to collect a large number of tubers of this unusual dietary variety, the use of which can also significantly improve health. The harvest of purple varietal potatoes Cornflower will decorate the table of any gardener!