Many experienced vegetable growers and gardeners are increasingly choosing hybrid varieties of potatoes. The Dutch table variety Colombo (Colomba) is particularly popular. It is successfully grown in summer cottages and large plantations for sale. Colombo is characterized by excellent taste, high productivity, portability and keeping quality, precocity.
Colombo Variety Overview
The Colombo potato variety was bred in the Netherlands, obtained by crossing two local varieties of Agatha and Carrera. It has long been successfully and in large quantities grown in Finland, which is why Colombo is mistaken for the Finnish look. It is popular in Russia and Ukraine in places with a warm and temperate climate. Colombo is zoned for cultivation in such Russian regions as:
- Volga-Vyatka district;
- Chernozemye;
- North Caucasus;
- Central District;
- Northwest region.
Colombo is a mid-early variety; its growing season is 60-65 days. But already on the 45th day after the emergence of seedlings, you can reap the first fruits. With early digging, the variety yields from 1 to 3 kg per square meter. Young tubers are high in vitamins. If you wait for technical maturity (on 65-75 days), when the bush begins to dry, you will be able to collect from 3 to 4.5 kg of potatoes per square meter of land.
As a rule, seed material is planted in May and in July young tubers are dug up. In the southern regions, it is possible to get two Colombo crops per season.
Description and characteristics of the variety
Hybrid potato Colomb planted in open ground. The variety forms a bush about half a meter high, which can be spreading or upright. The color of the leaves is green with an emerald hue, and the flowers are light lilac. The peel of the tubers of the hybrid is an amber hue, thin. The eyes are shallow and shallow - up to 0.2 mm. The pulp is yellow or cream.
General characteristics of the variety:
Index | Description |
Peel | quite thin, with amber color |
Eyes | small |
Pulp | has a cream color |
The form | elongated oval |
Starch | 12-14 % |
Tuber average weight | 70-130 g |
Bush | straight, sprawling, 55 cm high |
Flowers | white with a lilac hue |
An average of 12 tubers grows on one nest; they are large and even, of a regular (round or oval) shape. The weight of each fruit is up to 130 g, depending on the number of fruits on the bush. Small potatoes are few, and this leads to high commercial quality Colombo. Slices of potatoes do not fall apart and during heat treatment (frying, cooking), retain their shape.
The table variety is suitable for the preparation of any dishes. Due to the low starch content (within 11-15%), lush mashed potatoes will not work. But from this variety you can cook:
- potato pancakes;
- home-made chips;
- soups;
- casserole;
- french fries etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Everyone who is familiar with Colombo is noted for its excellent taste. The texture is dense, the potatoes do not boil. There are other advantages of the hybrid, which include:
- Attractive presentation of the fruit. This provides Colombo with high sales.
- Unpretentiousness in leaving.
- Resistance to temperature changes, dry periods and diseases.
- Precocity.
- High productivity, reaching up to 40 tons per hectare.
- Colombo is characterized by good keeping quality - up to 95%.
Experienced gardeners highlight one drawback - it is important to observe special storage conditions to ensure good root keeping. Potatoes lie for a long time at a temperature of 2 to 4 degrees, it is desirable that this be a dry cellar, where it is necessary to provide good ventilation. In this form, the product will last until the beginning of spring, and it can be used as food, but planting material is difficult to preserve, especially in a poorly equipped basement.
How to grow and care for potatoes?
Variety agricultural machinery is simple, standard, but has its own characteristics. To get a good Colombo crop, you need to study the rules for growing it and follow the recommendations of experienced farmers. The Finns have been successful in growing Colombo potatoes and are advised to carry out the following manipulations before planting:
- tuber processing;
- soil preparation.
Seed preparation
Before planting, you need to take care of the quality of the seed. Preliminary - a month and a half before planting - tubers germinate. They are laid out in a dry, bright place, the temperature in which ranges from 13-20 degrees. You can arrange the fruits in a box where the first sprouts will appear under the sun and in warm air. If the air in the room is too dry, it must be moistened, the tubers should be sprayed with water.
After 10-14 days, the fruits are brought to a colder temperature - about 10 degrees. So they are stored until landing.
If the diameter of the tuber for planting is more than 5 cm, it should be cut into pieces with pulp and sprouts (2-3). Avoiding rotting, each half must be dried for 4-5 days, and then planted.
Another option for germination is wet. The method involves storing seed potatoes in a dark room in which the temperature does not exceed 15 degrees. Tubers are placed in boxes or boxes, covered with sawdust or moist soil. The substrate must be regularly moistened, shoots appear after 2-3 weeks, and the germinated fruits can be planted in open ground.
It happens that the tubers do not wait for seedlings and begin to sprout vigorously. Then you can use the seedling method:
- Wait until the sprouts gain strength, at the base of them sprouts of roots will appear, and the length of the sprouts themselves will reach 6 cm.
- Carefully separate each root from the tuber and place in the nutrient mixture.
- The distance between the shoots should not be less than 5 cm.
- Reinforced seedlings can immediately be planted in the open.
It is recommended that potato tubers be treated with special means before planting, in which stimulants and anti-disease agents have been added. Colombo is an excellent variety, highly resistant to potato cancer and golden nematode, but prevention will not hurt. Also, a remedy for diseases can be applied to the soil before planting tubers.
Site selection and soil preparation
Despite the unpretentiousness of care, Dutch potatoes are demanding on the qualitative characteristics of the soil. He prefers fertile light soils with high breathability - for the development of the root system.
Colombo does not tolerate waterlogging, tubers can rot. If ground waters are located close to the landing site, you should give preference to landing on ridges 40 cm high or use the comb method.
Potato grows well on:
- sandy loamy soils;
- black earth;
- loams (lungs);
- drained peatlands with an acidity of less than 5-7 pH.
If the soil is acidic - this can be determined by the presence of indicator plants such as buttercups and horsetail - the potato cannot receive nutrients from it, its microbiological activity is suppressed. It’s not necessary to look for another place. Soil can be normalized by applying lime, wood or peat ash (per 100 square meters to 15 kg of ash).
Potato Colombo grows poorly on virgin soil. Also, it should not be planted in areas where tomatoes or grains had grown before. The best predecessors of potatoes are cabbage, peas and beans, pumpkin crops, herbs. All the nuances should be considered when choosing a place for landing. The selected area should be well lit by the sun, the soil should be warmed up, and the soil should be carefully prepared before planting — rid of weeds, dug up, and fertilized.
On marshy soils or clay, it is advisable to prepare high beds from autumn, so that they warm up in early spring.
Garden beds
If a small plot is planned for planting, you can plant potatoes in boxes. This method is suitable for Colombo and has several advantages:
- does not require regular digging;
- reduces fertilizer costs;
- facilitates weeding of beds;
- convenient when breeding is necessary.
Potato tubers are planted in bed-boxes, which are put together from 4 boards. Boxes do not have a bottom, previously impregnated with an antiseptic. Boxes are put on beds and filled with soil, then potatoes are planted in them. It must be remembered that high beds require abundant watering. Several baskets (10-20) will provide the family with a good harvest for the whole summer.
Combs
Another good option for landing Colombo - in the crests. So the soil is easily warmed up and ventilated - just what this variety loves. Combs 12-16 cm high are cut from autumn. The distance between each wave is about 50-60 cm, they are oriented from north to south (as with other landing options). Organic fertilizers, especially manure, slowly decompose, so it is recommended to apply them also in the fall. The optimal amount of manure is 3 kg per square meter. In the spring, you can add humus.
When and how to plant?
Colombo potatoes, like many other varieties, do not like the cold. Planting it in open ground is recommended when the soil is already sufficiently warmed up. This is the end of April - May. If you plant tubers earlier, difficulties will arise. The following temperatures are recommended for landing Colombo:
- soil at a depth of 10 cm at least 7 degrees;
- for the formation of tubers - from 11 degrees and above (up to +17).
The second crop is planted after harvesting the first - in August. Then by mid-October you can get a new portion of delicious potatoes. This is possible in the warmer regions of the country, where in the autumn months there is still a comfortable temperature. Colombo is successfully grown in the South-East of Russia, Sumy region of Ukraine. Favorable climatic conditions and soil composition are optimal for the cultivation of potatoes of this variety.
Dig holes for planting at a distance of 30 cm from each other. The depth of each is about 7-10 cm. When it is necessary that the potatoes sprout faster, it should not be planted deeply. In this case, free space should remain between the beds - at least 50-70 cm, on average it is 3 pits per 1 meter. Subsequently, sprawling bushes will appear, which should be enough for the sun. The following action scheme is as follows:
- Germinated tubers or seedlings are placed in the wells (in accordance with the chosen method).
- Fertilizer is added - 250-300 g of ash or humus.
- Each hole is covered with earth, the height of the embankment should not exceed 5-8 cm.
- You can cover the seedlings with film or agrofiber, so that shoots appear faster.
Care and growing process
Colomba variety requires standard care for potatoes: it is necessary to hone and harrow it in time, monitor soil moisture, avoid the appearance of scab and diseases, and contribute to pest resistance. Special skills when caring for Colombo potatoes are not required, but some points are important to consider, taking care of the crop even before it appears.
Before emergence - about 5 days after planting - harrowing the soil. Repeat the procedure 2-3 more times before the shoots and after their formation on the surface. Surface loosening of the soil is carried out between the rows, which is necessary for aeration of the soil and getting rid of weeds.
Weed grass must be removed regularly, preferably after watering or rain.
After emergence and reached 15 cm in height, the first hilling is carried out. Subsequently, it is recommended to conduct it once every 2 weeks, but at least 3 times per season. With the threat of severe frosts, the sprouted bushes can be spudded to the very top - “with the head”, as gardeners put it.
The benefit of hilling is that the land roll around the roots increases, which contributes to abundant tuberization. On heavy soils, it is recommended that the soil is further loosened once a week, avoiding the appearance of a crust on the surface.
Strong shoots (from 15 cm) need regular watering. Smaller sprouts are considered weak, moisture can provoke the process of decay. In caring for Colombo variety, it is important to observe the following watering rules:
- Use water heated to air temperature. To do this, you can put a watering can in the sun for several hours.
- The optimal amount of liquid is 4 liters per potato bush. The soil should be moistened 20 cm deep.
- Avoiding the erosion of the roots, do not pour more than one liter at a time.
- Depending on the periods of plant growth, it is necessary to regulate the amount of watering. When buds form on the bushes, the volume must be increased by 1-2 liters under the bush.
- Potatoes should be watered once a week at moderate temperature and humidity and 2-3 times a week in the heat.
The fastest and most inexpensive way of watering is through the furrows that appear during earthing up and lead along the planting line of tubers.
When watering, the actual application of fertilizers and top dressing. Colombo needs them throughout the entire growth period. The first can be started a month after planting. The most effective way is to feed the plants under the root. To do this, a stake is driven between two bushes to a depth of about 20 cm, is removed, and the prepared solution is poured into the hole formed. Potatoes themselves will take the necessary amount of nutrients from the soil.
What top dressing and fertilizers are suitable for Colombo:
- chicken droppings diluted in water (1: 2);
- swamp silt, tina;
- ash;
- siderates - clover, mustard, lupine.
In more detail, how and with what to feed potatoes, the expert will tell:
Pest and Disease Control
Colombo is quite resistant to many diseases, but is still exposed to pests. It is important to regularly inspect the plantings in order to timely detect the disease and take appropriate preventive or treatment measures.
This table shows the frequent diseases of potatoes and the level of resistance of the variety to them.
Disease | Disease resistance (maximum 9 points) |
Common scab | 6.5 points |
Late blight | 6 points - tubers 4 points - tops |
Drought tolerance | 5 points |
If late blight is detected, damaged plants are burned, and the rest are sprayed with a copper-containing fungicide. In other cases - with the appearance of pests - not so radical measures are effective:
- Maybug larvae will have to be disposed of manually. They are found when loosening and hilling.
- To exclude the appearance of the larvae of click beetles, when planting, Barguzin in granules is introduced into the soil.
- The Colorado potato beetle - the main enemy of potatoes - is also harvested by hand. For prevention purposes, the lower surface of the leaves is treated with Actellic or Alatar.
From fungal diseases, Colombo potatoes also need to be processed. For this, drugs such as Ditan M-45, Epin, Crezacin or copper sulfate solution are used.
It is important to remember that chemical treatment of plants is carried out in calm weather. It is advisable to do this in the early morning or late evening and be sure to observe safety measures: use protective equipment, wash hands thoroughly after the procedure.
Harvesting and storage
You can harvest Colombo without waiting for the tops to turn yellow. You can determine the degree of maturity by digging one bush and carefully examining the tubers. Their diameter should be 3-5 cm. If less - the potato has not yet ripened, if more - overripe.
There is a way to speed up the ripening process of tubers. To do this, the ground part of the bush is cut in advance, about a week before the intended date of collection.
In the process of harvesting, it is necessary to select diseased, affected tubers and set aside.They can not be stored together with healthy to avoid infection. Good fruits must be dug up and left to dry on the beds for several hours. With this simple manipulation, you can achieve the following:
- avoid fungal diseases of tubers;
- contribute to the coarsening of the skin.
Before sending the fruits for storage, they should be carefully sorted, cleaned of dirt, grass residues. Damaged tubers should be eaten immediately - they will not lie for a long time. Many praise Colombo for his keeping quality. It can be transported over long distances, easily tolerates shock, and in cool vegetable stores, where the temperature is maintained within 1-3 degrees, it is easily stored for up to six months.
At home, optimal storage conditions can be created in containers and drawers placed on the balcony or basement. Temperature and humidity should be appropriate:
- air temperature not higher than + 4 ° С;
- humidity indicators - 75-80%.
Reviews of gardeners
On the Colombo variety, vegetable growers often leave positive reviews. It is grown both on large plantations (for subsequent sale), and "for yourself" on manor sites. By all accounts, this variety is unpretentious and provides good yield.
Elena, Volzhsky. We have been planting Colombo for the third year, we are satisfied with the harvest. We use natural fertilizers, but in general, this culture is unpretentious. I like this potato because it does not digest when boiled. It makes excellent first and second courses.
Eugene, Tula. Planted this variety of potatoes in their summer cottage. The first fruits were reaped in July. All tubers are even, beautiful - as a selection! And what a delicious wife bakes potato pies!
Zinaida, the city of Tambov. I decided to try a new variety, acquired a kilogram of Colombo seeds. The crop ripened quickly, on the 50th day they already ate young potatoes. From each bush there were 10-15 tubers, all large and neat. The taste also really like: not watery, soft potatoes.
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Variety Colomba is a vivid example of modern selection. When removing it, they tried to take into account all the nuances and features of this culture. Dutch potatoes are fruitful, ripen early, stored without loss and resistant to many diseases. Colombo has practically no shortcomings. Its main advantage for all housewives is that it makes delicious dishes. Everyone can grow this variety in their summer cottage, even without the experience of a gardener.
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