Description and characteristics of the Skarb potato variety, planting and care instructions

Potatoes are a food that's not only healthy but also delicious, which is why they're grown everywhere. It's hard to imagine a garden without this vegetable. There are many varieties of this crop, each with its own unique characteristics. One of the best is the Skarb potato.

Description and varietal characteristics

This variety was developed through selective breeding at the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing and Potato Growing. It ripens a month after early-ripening potato varieties. Although it is classified as a mid-season variety, it has become the most widely planted variety in Russia and Belarus.

The bush is semi-spreading, with thick stems and oval, dark green leaves. The tubers are large and oval in shape. Small eyes are evenly distributed over the entire surface. The skin of ripe tubers is light yellow, and the flesh has a yellowish tint.

The main pros and cons of potatoes

This variety is popular with gardeners for good reason. It has many advantages:

1. High yields (up to 650 centners per hectare). Yield is usually the primary criterion for a variety's prospects. The Skarb variety has the highest yield.
2. The number of tubers in one bush reaches 20 pieces.
3. The weight of each of them is 150-200 g.
4. The fruit's low starch content (12-18%) prevents potatoes from becoming overcooked or darkening during cooking.
5. It keeps well when stored under appropriate conditions.
6. The Skarb potato variety grows in all types of soil.
7. Tolerates dry weather well.
8. Easy to care for.
9. It has good taste qualities.
10. Potatoes of this type can be grown in areas with temperate and cool climates.
11. The plant is not very susceptible to most diseases typical for the crop.
12. Potato tubers are resistant to mechanical stress.

Its culinary uses are universal. It's suitable for salads and side dishes. It's also used on an industrial scale to produce chips and mixed vegetables.

With so many advantages, this variety has some disadvantages:

1. Plants are prone to late blight.
2. If the moisture is too high, seedlings will grow poorly and become diseased. It's important to take this into account when they're starting out.
3. The sprouts grow unevenly at first.

Growing Potatoes Skarb

It is important to remember that the variety has some characteristics that the gardener should take into account.

Choosing a location

The Skarb potato thrives in all types of soil, but grows best in light soils. Sandy or sandy loam soil is preferred for planting.

Soil preparation

Fertilize and till the soil in the fall. Before planting, add organic fertilizer (chicken manure) to the soil to stimulate bush growth.However, it should be remembered that excessive amounts of such fertilizer can harm young plants.

Preparation of seed tubers

Before placing the tubers in the garden beds, warm them in the sun for two weeks before planting. It is not recommended to use large, cut-in potatoes. It is best to use whole, medium- or small-sized tubers.

Landing plan and time

The tubers shouldn't be planted too deep. They should be placed no more than 10 cm deep. Potato ripening period — from 80 to 95 days.

Recommendations for crop care

Although the Skarb potato does not require much care, there are still a few basic rules for growing this crop.

Watering and hilling

Hilling is done after the first sprouts appear. The shoots need to be hilled up high. This is done a second time before the potatoes bloom. Initially, the sprouts grow unevenly, but gradually they emerge and even out. The plants need to be watered adequately, but infrequently. Care should be taken to avoid excessive moisture, otherwise the roots will rot.

Loosening and weeding

Weeding and loosening the soil are essential for a good potato harvest. Weeds not only hinder the growth of seedlings but also become breeding grounds for insect pests. This should be done regularly to prevent the beds from becoming overgrown.

Mulching the soil is effective for effective weed control. It also helps manage excess moisture and prevent root rot.

Fertilizing potatoes

If a plant receives additional minerals on time and in sufficient quantities, its resistance to diseases increases.Diluted chicken manure is used as a soil fertilizer.

Foliar feeding is also possible, as the plant absorbs a significant portion of its nutrients through its leaves. To do this, prepare a solution of the appropriate fertilizer and spray it on the potato plants. Keep in mind that this procedure shouldn't be performed on hot days, as the liquid will evaporate quickly before it can be absorbed by the leaves.

Treatment against diseases and pests

A distinctive feature of the Skarb variety is its good disease resistance. The exception is late blight. It doesn't affect the tubers, but it can infect the above-ground parts of the plant. At the first sign of infection, spray the bushes with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate solution.

A good way to prevent various diseases is to pollinate with wood ash.

The main pests of this crop are the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm. Wireworms feed on potato roots and tubers. To prevent these insects from appearing in your garden, the soil should be dug over and limed before planting. The Colorado potato beetle is a long-standing enemy of the vegetable. In garden plots, beetles are sometimes removed manually, but treating the plants with insecticides is more effective.

Harvesting and storage rules

Fourteen days before harvesting, trim the tops. Leave a short section of the stem to help you know where to dig up the ripe tubers. This helps the tubers ripen better. The room where the harvested crop is stored should be kept at a temperature no higher than 5°C (41°F). It should be well ventilated.

If these conditions are met, it is possible to save up to 98% of the harvested potatoes.The tubers tolerate long-distance transportation well and can withstand long-term storage.

Feedback from our readers

Ivan Sergeevich, 64 years old

I've been growing potatoes in my garden for a long time. I'm familiar with the Skarb variety; it's one of my favorites. It's easy to grow, and the potatoes are so delicious! I recommend it to all gardeners.

Maria Stepanovna, 58 years old

Potatoes are a welcome guest on any table. I plant them every year. Not long ago, I bought some Skarb potato tubers for planting. They took root well, although the harvest was late. It's a mid-season variety, and I've always had early-ripening varieties at my dacha. We're happy with the harvest; it's a good variety.