The Red Fantasy potato is a popular variety that offers high yields and requires minimal maintenance. This variety is advantageous for farmers as it is suitable for commercial cultivation. Consumers appreciate its versatility. Adherence to proper cultivation practices can improve the quality of the tubers and their marketability.
History of selection
This variety is the result of breeding work by specialists from the German company Europlant pflanzenzucht GMBH. This variety was included in the Russian State Register in 2011.
Features of potatoes
Red Fantasy is a great choice for those who grow their own vegetables. It is highly resistant to diseases and pests and has excellent flavor.
Description of the plant and tubers
The plant is characterized by a tall bush with large, light green leaves and pinkish-purple flowers. Each produces approximately 10-12 tubers weighing 100 to 120 g. The tubers are oval in shape and have smooth, pink skin.
Taste characteristics and purpose
This variety is intended for edible consumption. The flavor is excellent. The tubers are slightly softened when cooked and have a firm consistency. The flesh barely darkens after cooking. If cooked for a long time, the vegetables may soften slightly.
Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins
The crop is characterized by high biological value due to the content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and a full group of B vitamins. The tubers are enriched with iron, vegetable proteins, and organic acids – citric and oxalic.
Important micronutrients found in this variety include potassium salts and phosphorus. However, the starch content does not exceed 15%.
Ripening period and yield
Red Fantasy is a mid-season variety. It takes approximately 100-110 days from germination to harvest. The average yield is 380 to 550 centners per hectare. The tubers tolerate long-distance transportation well, ensuring long-term storage.
Disease resistance
The variety is resistant to potato wart pathogen and golden potato cyst nematode. According to the breeder, it resists rugose and stripe mosaic, as well as leafroll virus.
Which regions are best suited for and what are the climate requirements?
Permission to grow this crop was received in the Central, Volga-Vyatka and Middle Volga regions of the country.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The variety's popularity stems from a number of undeniable advantages. By choosing Red Fantasy, you get potatoes that:
The plant has virtually no drawbacks. If properly cared for and grown, they are virtually nonexistent.
Landing features
The crop exhibits tolerance to short-term temperature drops during the growing season, but is sensitive to poor soil conditions. To achieve high yields, it is recommended to install a drip irrigation system and fertilize the plants with organic matter and minerals.
Follow these recommendations:
- Before planting, carefully prepare the tubers. 14-20 days before planting, bring them out into the light, sort them, and soak them in a disinfectant solution.
- The optimal temperature for germination of planting material is +14°C.
- Immediately before planting, treat the potatoes with growth stimulants.
- For successful cultivation, loose, nutritious soil with a neutral pH is essential. Before planting, test the soil pH and adjust it if necessary by adding appropriate nutrients. To enrich the soil, use green manure crops such as lupine, oats, rye, wheat, peas, and beans.
- Planting takes place in mid-April - early May.
- Add superphosphate and wood ash to each planting hole, and plant the tubers with the sprouts facing up to a depth of about 10 cm.
Mulch the area to prevent weed growth and retain moisture in the soil.
Care nuances
Hilling is a key agronomic technique when growing Red Fantasy. This process not only protects seedlings from frost and overwintering Colorado potato beetles, but also promotes accelerated foliage growth.
Follow basic care procedures:
- Carry out hilling until the moment when tubers begin to actively form on the seedlings.
- Loosen the soil after every rain or watering to kill weeds and provide plants with the necessary oxygen supply.
- After planting, apply at least three additional fertilizers. Apply nitrogen fertilizer two weeks after planting—this stimulates the growth of the plant's foliage.
The second feeding, aimed at increasing the mass of tubers, should be applied 14 days after the first – it should contain a complex of mineral fertilizers with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus.
Apply the final, third feeding three weeks before harvest. This is to enrich the potatoes with nutrients. Use organic fertilizers, such as manure.
The crop prefers moderately moist soil, so the optimal solution for watering would be the drip method.
Pest and disease control
Red Fantasy is immune to a number of dangerous diseases and pests, making it an attractive choice for agronomy. It is resistant to most diseases and viruses. However, it is considered moderately resistant to late blight of foliage and tubers.
Late blight, which most often appears during prolonged rainy periods, remains one of the main diseases. It appears as brown spots on leaves with a whitish coating on the underside. Dark spots may appear on vegetables after harvesting.
To prevent late blight, take the following measures:
- treat the tubers with disinfecting solutions of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate;
- remove weeds and potato tops in a timely manner;
- control the nitrogen level in the soil;
- Fertilize plantings with potassium and phosphorus.
Fungicides such as Aktara, Inta-Vir, Zashchita, "Colorado Beetle NO!", Confidor, Prestige, and Komandor can help combat the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm. Folk remedies are equally effective:
- dust the bushes with birch ash;
- mulch the beds with pine sawdust;
- spray with celandine infusion;
- treat with a solution of birch tar.
Harvesting and storage
Harvest in dry weather, preferably before the evening dew. After harvesting, it's best to leave the vegetables in the sun until evening, then move them to a dry, shady, and well-ventilated area.
Store the harvest no earlier than two weeks after harvest. During this period, remove all spoiled and rotten tubers. One rotten potato can ruin the entire crop.
Basements and cellars are ideal for storing potatoes, where they can be placed in ventilated containers or piles. To prevent mold, sprinkle the tubers with ash.
Reviews
Red Fantasy is a promising option for those growing potatoes for both personal consumption and commercial production. Its disease resistance, high yield, and excellent flavor make it a popular choice among growers. Proper care will help you achieve a bountiful harvest.