Almost all gardeners, engaged in the cultivation of vegetables, always leave room for planting potatoes. And this is understandable - potatoes occupy a special position in the cuisine of our people. Choosing your variety among many others, first of all, they pay attention to unpretentious varieties with high productivity - these are the characteristics that are the main ones for the Wizard potato.

Characterization and description of the variety

The sorcerer belongs to mid-season table varieties. The main qualities of the Sorcerer, which are so appreciated among his many admirers, are absolute unpretentiousness in care, resistance to drought and various diseases.

Important! The berries on the tops of potatoes are poisonous: for poisoning the human body, it is enough to eat 1-2 pieces.

Ripening period and productivity

The average potato ripening period is from 60 to 80 days. The tubers are oval with a light skin and a small number of eyes. The fruit weight reaches 80–150 g. The flesh of the potato is white and has a dense structure, the percentage of starch is 13–15%.

About 10-15 tubers can ripen in one bush. The total yield can reach 400 kg / ha, but may vary depending on climatic conditions and weather conditions. The level of keeping quality reaches 97%.

Taste qualities

The main popularity of this variety has also earned due to its high taste. The potato has a pleasant sweetish taste, the pulp itself is devoid of dryness and wateriness.

The level of tuber digestibility is average, which means the suitability of this variety is absolutely for any dishes. Multiple reviews from gardeners confirm the Wizard's deserved place in the list of ten most delicious varieties.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like all varieties, the Wizard has a number of advantages and some disadvantages.

• Among the main advantages of this variety are noted:
• high tastes, which are noted by many gardeners and confirmed by the inclusion of the Enchanter in the list of the most delicious varieties of potatoes;
• high commercial qualities of the variety, which include the total yield, weight of tubers, the absence of rot and voids inside;
• undemanding to the composition of the soil and weather conditions;
• long storage period and ease of transportation;
• resistance to potato cancer, late blight and many other viruses.

Important! The sorcerer can be planted 2 times per season, while the quality of the second crop is not inferior to the first.

• Despite many advantages, this variety also has disadvantages:
• predisposition to certain types of pests, among which a cyst-forming nematode;
• the possibility of crop loss with a long absence of assembly work.

Planting and growing potatoes

In view of its absolute unpretentiousness, to obtain the maximum yield, only a small number of basic recommendations should be followed.

Optimal landing times

It is generally accepted that the first half of May is the best period for planting potatoes, but this is not always true.

There are two factors that directly affect the growth and development of potatoes and, accordingly, the final crop:

1. Soil temperature - should be at least + 8 ° С at a depth of 10–12 cm. At lower temperatures, potato tubers will germinate poorly and slowly.
2. Soil moisture - not dried land can lead to rotting processes and many fungal diseases, as a result of which the entire bush can be lost.

For the correct choice of landing time, it is necessary to analyze weather forecasts for the period of interest in advance, preferably from several sources. There is also a popular belief that it is better to start planting potatoes in the period between the flowering of bird cherry and the appearance of leaves in a birch.

Did you know? The leaders in the use of potatoes in the world are Belarusians. Each inhabitant of this country eats at least 180 kg of potatoes per year.

Crop rotation rules

Many experienced gardeners are familiar with the basic rule of a good harvest: the need for crop rotation, that is, compliance with crop rotation during planting. This means that it is not recommended to plant one crop annually at the same place.

An ideal place for planting potatoes is considered a place after growing cucumbers, beets, cabbage or green manure. Last year's beds, which were used for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant or other varieties of potatoes, are not recommended.

An alternative to the crop rotation method may be the parallel cultivation of different types of crops in one area. As practice shows, many plants have the properties not only not to compete, but also to bring mutual assistance.

So, for potatoes, compatible crops are:

• beans;
• bow;
• corn;
• garlic;
• mint;
• salad;
• radish;
• carrot.

It is thanks to the proximity of these plants that potatoes strengthen and increase productivity, and also shows resistance to various diseases.

Soil requirements

The magician is not picky about the soil and can give a good result with any of its composition. However, if possible, a landing site is best allocated on sandy or loamy soils. Like almost all varieties, this potato will grow better on pre-fertilized land.

Usually, one of the feeding methods is used for such purposes:

1. In the process of preparing a plot for potatoes in the autumn, 1 kg of saltpeter, 1.2 kg of potash fertilizers and 0.7 kg of phosphates are added to 1 hundred parts of land. Any organic fertilizer is also added. After that, the earth is dug to a depth of about 20 cm.
2. After harvesting, the plot is sown with any green manure (for example, winter rye, fodder peas, white mustard, etc.). After sprouting green manure crops and reaching plants about 25 cm in length with the help of a shovel or chopper, the greens are embedded in the soil.

Did you know? Potato was the first vegetable grown in space.

Preparing planting material

Before planting, potatoes are carefully sorted, leaving only large tubers weighing about 100 g and rejecting potatoes with various defects: traces of rot, cracks, etc.

Since this vegetable is stored in a cool place (cellar, cellar), 30–40 days before planting, the tubers are transferred to a bright room with an air temperature of at least + 15 ° С - during this time they acquire a green color, and solanine is produced in the pulp, which will protect the plant from pests at first.

For planting, fruits are selected whose sprouts do not exceed 15 cm. It is preliminary recommended to treat the tubers with a growth stimulator, as well as with a solution to combat Colorado potato beetles.

Landing technology

The prepared place must be marked out in rows with a step of 70 cm and a distance between the holes of 30 cm. The tubers are deepened into the ground to 10 cm and covered with earth. In each well, it is recommended to first put a handful of onion husks and ash.

Potato care after planting

Even before the appearance of the first shoots, it is necessary to perform loosening and weeding of weed grass in the aisles. This procedure is especially relevant for potatoes planted in heavy soil. After the appearance of the tops, it is also necessary to constantly carry out hilling - this allows the potato to receive the right amount of oxygen, to grow and form correctly.

In addition to the first earthing up of tops, the first top dressing with nitrogen-containing fertilizers is carried out. Further, during the development of buds, top dressing is repeated, but potash fertilizers are used. Thanks to the powerful measles system, the Potato Wizard easily tolerates drought, so a minimum amount of watering is required - only about 4 times for the entire period of growth and development.

Diseases and pests of the variety

The wizard has a stable immunity to many diseases, but is not protected from the Colorado potato beetle and nematodes. Colorado potato beetles are either fought manually - pests are collected and destroyed, and leaves with eggs laid are torn off, or large-scale insecticides are used when they appear massively.

Important! Spraying with insecticides is an effective method in the fight against aphids and cicadas, as well as many viral diseases.

In the fight against the nematode, a good helper is the correct crop rotation, which includes legumes, as well as the use of chemicals, most often introduced into the soil before planting potatoes.

Features of harvesting and storage of crops

After reaching maturity by potatoes (usually on the 80–90th day after planting) and drying the tops, the process of digging up potatoes begins. Before laying the tubers, it is necessary to dry several hours in the fresh air and make sure that there is no mold and dryness of the room intended for storage of the crop. This potato variety has a high shelf life, due to which the amount of waste for the entire storage period does not exceed 4%.

Due to the high yield, absolute unpretentiousness in care, as well as its taste qualities, the Wizard gained wide popularity among many gardeners. This variety is often used as the first potato planting sample and ultimately stays for years to come.