Colette Potatoes

In this article, you will study in detail the Colette potatoes: a description of the variety, the main characteristics, you will receive recommendations for growing, from the preparation of planting material to direct planting. You will also learn how to care for Colette potatoes, how to deal with diseases and pests, and how to store them properly.

Colette potatoes: variety description and characteristics

Colette potato variety: photo

The most popular and beloved root crop in every garden is potato, it is not for nothing that it is considered “the head of everything”. Gardeners are always in search of new tasty potato varieties that will delight not only with their taste, but also with their yield, unpretentiousness, and long shelf life. In this article we will tell you about the early ripening potato variety Colette.

In the state register, the Colette potato variety appeared in 2002.
The bushes of this variety are of medium height, half erect, light green foliage, medium size. Colette potatoes bloom for a short time in large inflorescences of red-purple color.
The tubers have an oval, elongated shape, the skin is thin yellow, and the pulp is inherent in a light yellow color.
The Colette potato variety, as already mentioned, is an early ripening variety. The length of time between planting until the tubers are fully ripe is 50-70 days, while the first digging can be done in a month and a half.
Breeders promise, with proper cultivation, the yield indicator is 50 - 60 tons per hectare of land. In one nest, 6-12 tubers grow, each weighing on average from 60-125 grams.
The taste of Colette potatoes is very high. The variety is perfect for the preparation of any dishes; it does not fall apart and does not darken during heat treatment. It is this variety that is most often used by chip manufacturers. The starch level in potatoes is 12-15%.
Colette potatoes also have a high yield storage rate, it remains at 92%, the marketability of this variety is 75-98%.

Colette potatoes: planting varieties

The Colette potato variety is quite whimsical and will require your attention a little more than many gardeners would like. For its cultivation, a number of agrotechnical manipulations will be required.

How to choose the right place

When choosing a site, opt for a sunny place, where Colette potatoes will feel great. Do not forget to follow the rules of crop rotation, and also remember that the best predecessors for potatoes are legumes, cabbage, corn, cucumbers.

Soil requirements

Loose fertile soils are ideal for growing potatoes of the Colette variety; they will feel great in sandy loam soil and in loam. Very whimsical to the mineral and nutrient components of the soil. But it is worth noting that if you grow potatoes correctly, following all the recommendations, then even in the wrong soil, the yield will be high.
It is recommended to prepare the site for potatoes in the fall. To do this, it is imperative to get rid of weeds, apply fertilizer and dig up or plow the land.

What are the landing dates

Depending on the region, Colette potatoes are planted in late April-early May, it is necessary that the soil warms up to at least +10 degrees, and the risk of spring frosts is minimized.Experienced gardeners note that potatoes should be planted no earlier than buds bloom on a birch, but in any case, the natural conditions of a particular region should be taken into account.

Preparatory work for planting Colette potatoes

Colette potatoes: photo of the variety

At least a couple of weeks before planting, it is recommended to prepare seed potatoes:

• first of all, it is sorted out, while it is necessary to sort out rotten and deformed, unhealthy planting material, we choose only strong root crops;
• then the potatoes must be germinated, so you will speed up the germination process, which in turn will have a beneficial effect on the yield indicator. It is necessary to germinate potatoes in a bright, warm place, we wait until the potatoes turn green and sprouts appear;
• further, in order to avoid contamination of potatoes with various diseases, as well as to avoid attacks of pests, sprouted root crops are strongly recommended to be disinfected, this can be done with a solution of potassium permanganate, or with special preparations that protect tubers from sores and pests - insects, and also pay attention to drugs that stimulate the growth of potatoes ...

Landing scheme

The scheme and rules for planting the Colette potato variety is no different from planting other varieties. We plant potatoes in holes, the depth of which is on average 10 cm (if the soil is loose) or 5 cm (if the soil is heavy). The distance between the planting material is at least 28 cm, and the distance between the rows is about 75 cm, this will allow air to circulate and not prevent the sun's rays from entering the neighboring bushes.
It is necessary to lay out the seed material extremely carefully so as not to damage the sprouts.
After the potatoes are laid out, the holes are covered with earth.

Colette potatoes: the secrets of caring for the variety

After planting, the first shoots of Colette potatoes can be found in a week and a half. In order for the yields to be at the highest level, the potatoes are healthy, strong and tasty, proper care must be taken.

How to Water Colette Potatoes

As mentioned earlier, the Colette potato variety is very fond of moisture, it has been noticed that with regular watering, the yield indicator increases significantly. During the season, you will need to water the bushes at least 3 times:

• the first time - when the seedlings reach a height of 10 cm,
• the second time - when the flowering stage begins,
• the third time - the appearance of berries on flowers.

The amount of watering can be increased depending on the weather conditions, especially if the summer is hot and dry.
Keep in mind that after the flowering stage is over, the potatoes cannot be watered, otherwise it may lead to late blight.

Top dressing

Potato variety Colette will not refuse feeding and will gladly thank you with a good tasty harvest. Depending on the composition of your soil, a specific type of fertilizer is selected.
We draw your attention to the fact that it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizers in normal quantities, but you need to be careful with nitrogen fertilizers. Since an excess of nitrogen leads to the fact that the tops and foliage increase, and all the nutrients go to them, which certainly negatively affects the development of tubers.

How to sprinkle Colette potatoes

One of the most important care activities for Colette potatoes is hilling. It must be carried out 2 times per season, the first time after the seedlings have grown to 20 cm, and the second time - 3 weeks after the first.
It is necessary to huddle the bushes in order to protect the seedlings from temperature drops, as well as to allow air, nutrients and moisture to reach the root system, as well as to maintain the tops and to fight weeds.

Possible diseases and how to deal with them

Colette potatoes have a high resistance to diseases and pests, but if the care rules are not followed, this can lead to a number of negative consequences.
Due to high humidity, potatoes can become ill with late blight - a dangerous fungal disease that can lead to the death of potatoes. When the first signs are found, the plants should be treated with fungicides.
Also, pests are dangerous for potatoes, such as wireworm, Colorado potato beetle, potato moth. Which have a very detrimental effect on the growth of the crop, and as a result, on its yield. If pests are found, the prompt treatment of plants with special chemicals is required.

Remember that it is better to carry out disease prevention and process the seed material before planting with specialized preparations than to fight diseases and pests - which does not always end well.

Harvesting and storage of Colette potatoes

Harvesting is carried out when the tops have darkened and dried up, this is about a month and a half after planting. Colette potatoes need to be dug carefully, since they have a thin skin and there is a risk of damaging the crop.
After harvesting, the tubers must be thoroughly dried; this can be done in a well-ventilated area or in the sun.
After the potatoes have dried, they are placed in containers (these can be boxes, bags, baskets, perhaps even in bulk - the main thing is that air can circulate) and stored in a dark, cool place.
Colette potatoes are stored safely until next summer.

By following the recommendations given in the article and using your experience in growing Colette potatoes, you are sure to get a fruitful, tasty, healthy harvest that you will enjoy for a long time.

Colette potatoes: video about the variety

Colette Potatoes : gardeners reviews

Colette potatoes: photo of the variety

• Ekaterina Maksimovna, Chelyabinsk region: “For me, the Colette potato variety has only one advantage. The variety, unlike some other potato varieties, has a long shelf life, the yield is always at the highest level. The taste of Colette potatoes is very pleasing, and the variety looks very presentable. I think for those who grow potatoes for sale, Colette potatoes are the best fit. "
• Marina Alexandrovna, Sverdlovsk region: “I never thought before that the varieties of potatoes are somehow different, except for the appearance. As it turned out, each of the varieties has its own characteristics. For example, Colette potatoes, which I have been growing for only the second year, do not tolerate droughts well, so they need to be watered a little more than other varieties. At the same time, I like the taste of Colette potatoes more than other varieties of potatoes. "