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Kumach potatoes are popular not only in our country, but also abroad. This variety, created by domestic breeders at the beginning of the 21st century, invariably takes prizes in tastings during agro-industrial exhibitions.
Description of potato variety Kumach
The culture of this variety was bred for cultivation in the central part of Russia on soils rich in black soil. This is a thermophilic plant that does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and frost and requires good illumination. At the same time, the crop does not lose its yield in drought conditions.
The bush has a medium-sized erect stem with bright green foliage. Approximately 33 - 35 days after the appearance of the first shoots, the plant blooms with abundant bright blue or purple flowers. Productivity does not depend on flowering intensity. The tubers are oval, neat, of the same size, with a smooth pink skin with a few small eyes. The pulp is creamy and does not change during cooking.
Kumach potatoes ripen on average in 90 days.
Taste qualities of potatoes
This variety has won wide recognition among gardeners in our country and abroad due to its special sweetish taste. From the reviews of consumers of potatoes Kumach it is clear that both children and adults like dishes from it. The culture was bred specifically for frying and roasting; mashed potatoes and fries are especially successful.
Potato Kumach belongs to varieties with a high starch content - in its tubers from 12% to 18% of this component. Due to this composition, it is often used as a raw material in starch production.
Pros and cons of the Kumach variety
According to farmers' reviews, the Kumach potato variety has characteristics that distinguish it from other types of this crop:
- unique taste;
- high productivity;
- unpretentiousness: the variety perfectly tolerates drought, is resistant to diseases and pests of potatoes;
- does not deteriorate for a long time during long-term transportation and storage;
- commercial success: sells well due to the above qualities.
The disadvantages are not so significant: the disadvantage is its demanding light and temperature conditions, as well as the susceptibility of plants to nematode attacks.
Planting and caring for potatoes Kumach
Despite the unpretentiousness, the cultivation of Kumach potatoes requires some preparation. The main activities are watering, removal weeds, hilling, feeding, loosening.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
From the description of Kumach potatoes, it follows that this variety has special requirements for illumination, so the best option would be to plant from the northern part of the site to the southern one - this way each plant will receive a sufficient amount of sunlight.
Agronomists recommend choosing the soil on which flax, cereals or legumes were previously planted. But the areas where dioecious plants grew are not suitable for growing.
Preparation of planting material
To increase yields and protect against diseases and pests, it is recommended to disinfect the planting material. Usually for this purpose, gardeners use a solution of potassium permanganate. 1 g of powder is added to 10 l of water and the tubers are immersed in the solution for 30 - 40 minutes. After that, just before planting, they are sprinkled with wood ash. It is also recommended to make transverse cuts in the tubers to stimulate the growth of the maximum number of eyes.
You can also use the classic preparation methods: heating and germination. The first option involves keeping the tubers at a temperature of + 25 ° ... + 27 ° C for 5–7 days. In the second case, the potatoes are laid out in the light and left at a temperature of + 12 ° ... + 15 ° C for 20-30 days. They are sprayed with water every 5-7 days.
Landing rules
When planting seed potato Kumach, it will not be superfluous to put a small amount of bird droppings in each hole.
The distance between the bushes should be about 60 cm, between the rows - at least 40 cm; they deepen the planting material by no more than 15 cm. This planting provides each plant with a sufficient amount of sunlight, facilitates care and subsequent harvesting.
Watering and feeding
Potatoes Kumach are drought-resistant, so watering is sufficient up to 3 times per season. The best time for this is evening hours. Watering can be done both at the root and along the furrows, while each plant should have at least 3 liters of water.
The first stage of feeding is carried out during the period of active plant growth. A mixture of humus and urea is well suited for this. The second stage of fertilization is carried out in order to stimulate flowering. During this period, a mixture of potassium sulfate with ash is used. During the formation of tubers, the third stage of feeding is carried out with the help of potassium superphosphate.
Some gardeners claim that feeding Kumach potatoes can only be done once a season. For this, poultry manure or cow dung diluted with water is enough. Each bush should have at least 2 liters of solution.
Loosening and weeding
Potatoes Kumach, like other varieties of this culture, sprout for a long time, therefore, weeds appear on the soil in the first week after planting. Weeding, along with loosening, provides air access to the roots and stimulates the formation of large tubers. The soil is loosened on a warm, dry, sunny day. Such treatment destroys up to 80% of weeds.
Hilling
Hilling is another weed-control technique that can help increase yields. The procedure consists in sprinkling damp loose soil onto the stem of the plant. The first hilling is done when the stem is about 14 cm high, the second before flowering.
Diseases and pests
Potato Kumach is a variety resistant to most diseases and pests. However, it is dangerous for him to be hit by a nematode. The main signs are curling of leaves, appearance of unusual spots, curvature of stems, delayed flowering. An effective means of combating the pest is the Tiazon remedy.
Chicken and cow droppings can also be used as a nematode control agent.
Potato yield
The root system of each plant contains 10–20 tubers. With proper care, up to 25 root crops can be harvested from one bush. The weight of one tuber is on average 200 g, many gardeners manage to provide care, in which this figure increases to 250 g. From 1 hectare, you can get up to 1 ton of Kumach potatoes.
Harvesting and storage
Kumach tubers, like other types of potatoes, can be harvested when the bushes begin to bloom. This is an early harvest. The timing of harvesting root crops completely ready for storage depends on the region.
The root system is carefully pried with a pitchfork and the bush is pulled out. Potatoes are best harvested in dry, windy weather. So it will be better stored and less subject to rotting.
When the crop is harvested, the tubers are sorted, all damaged potatoes are selected, and those that are laid for storage are sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate (2 g per 10 l of water). It is best to store potatoes in a dark, dry room at a temperature of + 2 °… + 4 ° C.
Conclusion
Kumach potatoes are an attractive variety for agricultural farms and amateur gardeners. High yield, unpretentiousness, resistance to diseases and pests and excellent taste make it more and more popular. With proper care, this variety will delight you with beautiful, high-quality root crops that will be stored until the next harvest.
