Description of the Merlot potato variety
Characteristics of the Merlot potato variety include a biological description of the plant and features of culinary processing. This mid-late variety was bred by German breeders. The growing season of Merlot potatoes ranges from 95 to 115 days, harvesting must be done at the end of September.
This vegetable has an oval shape and a mesh skin that is dark red in color. The fruits are the same size, with deepened eyes visible on the surface. On average, the weight of one potato is 80-140 g. The flesh is yellow in color and quite resistant to darkening. An important parameter is the starch index (from 15.5% to 16.2%). It does not become overcooked during cooking, retains its color, and smells pleasant.
The enviable disease resistance of Merlot potatoes is one of the main features of this variety. With proper care, stable and high yields are observed. The culture can adapt to the soil and climate conditions of the growing region, and is adapted for long-term storage.
Important! The keeping quality of Merlot potatoes is 98%. This is a fairly high figure, which not every vegetable crop can boast of.
Characteristics of the variety
Merlot potatoes are a mid-late variety of German selection. The growing season lasts from 95 to 115 days, so harvesting occurs no earlier than the end of September. The description of the Merlot potato variety should begin with the appearance and taste of the tubers. After all, this parameter is the most important for potato growers. No one wants to grow tasteless or ugly potatoes.
- Merlot potato tubers, according to reviews from summer residents, have an elongated oval shape and a beautiful dark red skin. The peel is uniform in color, slightly mesh. The tubers are very uniform and even in size. Slightly recessed eyes. The weight of the tubers ranges from 80 g to 140 g.
- The pulp is yellow. The variety is highly valued for its pulp resistance to darkening when cut. It is convenient for housewives to prepare potatoes for cooking in advance and not worry about their appearance.
- This is a table variety with wonderful taste. The boiliness of the tubers is average, which allows you to prepare dishes with whole potatoes. According to reviews from vegetable growers, the description of Merlot potatoes must include the ability of the tubers to retain color and aroma during the cooking process. Dishes made from this variety always have an amazing taste and smell.
- Sufficient starch content is another valuable characteristic of Merlot potatoes. Thanks to its percentage (15.5% - 16.2%), the tubers are ideal for any type of culinary processing.
But not only these indicators are important for potato growers. An important characteristic of the Merlot potato variety, which, according to reviews from summer residents, comes first - yield. The feasibility of planting a crop on the site depends on it. The variety is characterized by stable and high yield. According to the observations of farmers, it easily adapts to the soil and climatic characteristics of the region in which it is grown. With a good level of agricultural technology, more than 500 centners of tasty potatoes are harvested from one hectare.
The second important indicator is storage capacity. Mid-late varieties, including Merlot, store well. They ripen later than early varieties, so they can last for a long time.
The variety is also distinguished by its enviable resistance to diseases that plague gardeners. Among them are black leg, potato cancer, rhizoctonia, and golden potato nematode. Even to late blight there is moderate susceptibility.
This is where you can finish the description of the Merlot potato variety and look at the photo of the finished product.
To obtain all the listed characteristics of Merlot potatoes as a result, it is necessary to correctly carry out all the points of agricultural technology:
- preparing tubers for planting;
- landing;
- care during the growing season;
- harvesting.
Let's look at each stage in more detail.
Pros and cons of the variety
Before planting, you need to study in detail the pros and cons of the variety and carefully read all its characteristics. Merlot potatoes have the following characteristics:
- resistance to many diseases;
- high and stable yield;
- ideal fruit sizes;
- fast growing season;
- ability to withstand long periods of storage;
- commodity demand;
- excellent taste of tubers.
The only drawback of Merlot potatoes is that in the absence of the required level of agricultural technology and stable care, the quality of the fruit can suffer greatly.
Features of the variety
Merlot potatoes are a mid-late variety bred by German breeders (NORIKA GmbH (Germany)). The growing season is 95-115 days, harvesting begins in mid-to-late September.
Characteristics of Merlot potatoes:
- Tuber parameters: from medium to large, elongated oval. Potato weight – 80-140 g;
- Potato tubers are covered with dark red skin. The skin tone is uniform, slightly mesh. The surface is smooth, homogeneous, the tubers are level, the eye holes are unimpressive. The number of potatoes in a nest is from six to ten pieces, in rare cases it reaches 14. Starch content is 15-16%, ideal for any type of culinary processing;
- Yellow, dense pulp with pronounced resistance to darkening when peeled;
- A variety of table variety – high taste qualities, pronounced potato aroma. Universal for cooking, medium boiliness of tubers, medium mealiness, high protein and vitamin C content.
Potatoes Merlot
Description of the plant:
- Intermediate type, semi-erect, medium height;
- The leaves are small to medium-sized, closed, green in color;
- Flowering red-violet, rare.
Flowering begins 30-35 days after planting. When using germinated tubers, flowering occurs 5-12 days earlier.
Productivity is high – 190-355 (c/ha). Appropriate agricultural technology will allow you to harvest up to 720 kg of potatoes per hundred square meters.
Cultivation is widespread in the central regions of the Russian Federation. Adapts to any soil. The quality of the soil directly affects the yield.
Keeps for a long time. Since the variety is medium-late, then, in comparison with early varieties, the storage duration increases several times. Should be stored at a temperature of +2-+3 degrees. The tubers must be dried before storage. A cellar or basement is perfect; an important condition is the absence of light.
Susceptibility to disease
The Merlot variety is resistant to a number of diseases:
- High resistance to blackleg, scab, glandular spot, late blight, rhizoctonia, PLRV;
- Medium – to late blight of tops, Y-virus, potato cancer, golden potato nematode.
Planting and caring for Merlot potatoes
It is traditional to plant this vegetable crop in early May, when the soil is dry, otherwise air access to the tubers will be difficult. The timing of planting the Merlot potato variety depends on weather conditions. It is best to choose a time when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm is not lower than 8 °C.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
To plant Merlot potatoes, you need to choose dry, sunlit areas. The direction of the ridges is from north to south (this will allow the vegetable rows to warm up under the sun's rays). Loams, peat, and black soil will ensure favorable growth and development of the crop. The soil should be light and loose. Before planting, it is imperative to dig up the soil in the selected area to a depth of 25-30 cm.
Preparation of planting material
A high-quality harvest can be obtained only if whole tubers of medium size, free from diseases and insects, are used as planting material. Preparing seed potatoes involves heating them in the sun. Potato tubers of the Merlot variety do not need to be germinated, but then before planting, the planting material should be treated using growth stimulants.
Landing rules
First you need to dig holes, the depth of which will depend on the structure of the soil. In hard soil, the planting depth is 9 cm, in light soil - 13 cm, in peat - 15 cm. The distance between holes should be at least 35 cm, and in rows - 65 cm.
In the prepared holes you need to put Merlot potato tubers (sprouts at the top). Then add a handful of existing fertilizer and cover it with soil from the hole dug opposite the next row. Upon completion of planting, level the area.
Watering and fertilizing
The Merlot potato variety will reward you with a rich harvest for proper watering and nutrition, which need to be given primary attention in the process of growing a vegetable crop.
The frequency of watering depends on weather conditions and soil moisture. The plant needs moisture most at the time of tuber formation. It is recommended to irrigate the furrows until the soil is moistened to a depth of 45-50 cm.
In order for Merlot potatoes to fully grow and develop, you need to provide them with all the nutrients: apply fertilizers using organic matter and minerals that help accelerate growth, activate flowering and actively form tubers in the bushes.
Loosening and weeding
The Merlot potato variety needs timely loosening, regular weeding, and daily checking for weeds.
Hilling
Hilling up according to all the rules (sprinkling the lower part of the bushes with soft and loosened soil) will help increase the yield by 30%. This helps to increase the mass of overgrown roots, which will provide more moisture and nutrients that accelerate the growth and ripening of tubers.
This agrotechnical technique must be carried out in the morning or evening hours, at least three times during the season:
- when the seedlings reach 10-15 cm in height, which will protect them from returning frosts and also reduce the spread of weeds;
- at the flowering stage, because during this period nodules form on the stolons, the mass of which will increase if soil is added;
- during plant growth, protecting the tubers from the hot sun and other adverse weather factors.
Important! Before carrying out this procedure, you must first water the beds, and only then hill up the potato bushes.
Farmer reviews
Reviews about the German Merlot variety are positive. Farmers value the crop for its high productivity, quality, presentation and shelf life ; consumers like the pleasant potato taste.
Vladislav, Roslavl : “What varieties of potatoes have I not grown in all my farming practice.
I try to periodically update planting material, looking for new interesting crops. Merlot potatoes attracted attention with their appearance: red skin and rich yellow flesh. The potatoes are very tasty, can be stored for a long time, do not spoil, and the skin does not crack when cooked.” Victoria, Kaluga : “Two years ago, Merlot potatoes became one of our favorites. The culture requires a meticulous approach to watering and fertilizing, but for me this is not a drawback. I feed the bushes three times: after planting, during the flowering period and two weeks after it. I installed a drip water supply system on the site, and I carry out loosening and weeding on time.”
Diseases and pests
Despite the fact that the Merlot potato variety is resistant to diseases, the possibility of disease and mass reproduction of pests should not be ruled out. It is recommended to regularly carry out preventive measures aimed at protecting the crop.
Diseases
Late blight. The disease can damage all parts of the plant. In humid weather conditions during flowering, gray or dark brown spots appear on the leaves. Having discovered the first signs of infection, the tops should be cut off and the bushes should be treated using chemicals.
Blackleg. A bacterial disease that causes serious damage to the plant. It appears during the growing season and during harvest storage. Signs: yellow, curled apical foliage, rotting of the base of the shoots. Burning affected bushes, as well as drying the crop before storage, will help solve this problem. Basic control measures include spraying the bushes with protective solutions or sprinkling them with ash.
Pests
Colorado beetle. It is considered a well-known pest that feeds on leaves, young shoots, and tubers. Beetles are dangerous at the flowering stage, when tubers are forming. If preventive measures are not taken, you may lose your harvest. These parasites are removed from the bushes manually and then destroyed. If the beetle spreads strongly, treatment is carried out using chemicals.
Wireworm. It lives in the ground, attacks the roots and tubers of vegetable crops. Its larvae, making passages in the tubers, provoke rotting. They can be found when digging the ground, and can also be found among wheatgrass. As a preventive measure, frequent weeding of the area is recommended (this reduces the amount of wireworm food).
Collection, storage and use of crops
Harvesting is carried out in mid or late September .
The tubers are cleared of soil and left to dry in the shade for 3-4 days. Then the potatoes are sorted, damaged specimens with traces of rot are discarded. The harvest is stored in a dry, cool place at a temperature of +2...+3°C and air humidity - 70-80%. A cellar or basement in a garage is ideal. On a balcony or loggia, potatoes are stored in wooden double boxes, which are inserted into each other like a nesting doll. In a larger box, in the gaps, foam is placed or sawdust is poured. For storage, use blind boxes with a lid, insulated with a foil screen. The containers are placed on a hill so that the bottom does not touch the cold floor in winter.
Heated “balcony cellars” are available for sale. They look like large hiking backpacks, are powered, are wall-mounted, and can withstand temperatures down to -40°C.
potatoes have a wonderful taste and attractive presentation thanks to their thick red skin and rich yellow flesh. The optimal starch content makes it possible to prepare boiled, fried, stewed, baked dishes from it. The tubers do not darken after cutting raw and do not boil in water.
Storage
Description of the variety, photos, reviews of Merlot potatoes, planting and care rules are of great importance when studying this crop. In order for potatoes to retain all their beneficial properties for a long time, it is necessary to create optimal conditions. To do this, you need to check the room temperature (it should range from 2 to 4 °C). The humidity level should not exceed 70-85%, otherwise the fruits may become moldy. The room must be regularly ventilated. The floor on which potatoes will be stored must be covered with sand, pebbles, crushed stone or any other material that can absorb moisture in large quantities.
Among other things, it is worth taking care to isolate the storage from rodents and other pests, as well as carry out disinfection (to prevent fungal and bacterial diseases).
Important! The presence of sunlight or prolonged artificial light can negatively affect the taste of the fruit and increase the production of solanine, which negatively affects the human body and makes the product unfit for consumption.
Landing
The area for potatoes has been prepared since autumn. It is advisable to check the soil pH in advance. Optimal indicators are within 5.2-5.7. If the soil is acidified, add lime, chalk, and dolomite. The neutralization procedure is carried out no more than once every 4 years. You can use wood ash - 1 cup per 1 m2.
The variety needs a sufficient amount of fertilizer: when plowing in the fall, add 40-60 kg of compost per 1 hectare, phosphorus-potassium mixtures - 400 g per 1 hectare. Digging depth is 30 cm, top dressing is applied 10-12 cm deep. Winter green manures (oats, wheat) are planted. In the spring, a month before planting, the greens are mowed, the ground is harrowed, covering the green mass 6-8 cm deep.
Landing dates are the first half of May. In warm climates, tubers do not need to be germinated. For early harvests, vernalization begins in the 1st or 2nd decade of April.
Reviews of Merlot potatoes
Nikitina Galina, 54 years old.
I, like every person, did not want to experiment for a long time with different varieties and decided, trusting the reviews of experienced gardeners, to purchase the Merlot variety. The result exceeded all my expectations, since both the taste of the products and the yield were excellent. Everywhere it is written that it is recommended for cooking, but when cooking I use various methods of culinary processing and am always satisfied with the taste of the prepared dish.
Semenov Vladlen, 46 years old.
A long time ago, on the advice of a friend, I purchased the Merlot potato variety. When grown, the plants were distinguished by their ease of care and did not suffer from any serious diseases. After collecting the fruits and testing, my family and I finally decided to plant only this variety, since it surprised us with its taste, and later also with its long shelf life.
