Dutch early potato Impala: description and characteristics, photo

Thanks to its description and characteristics, the Dutch early potato Impala is a favorite of many gardeners. This variety can yield two harvests in a single season. The first fruits can be tasted 45 days after planting. Even looking at a photo of the potato makes you want to eat it right away.

Those who have planted the Dutch early potato Impala recommend it to everyone in their gardens. They share their impressions of the variety's description and characteristics. They post photos of the potato plants and fruits on their online accounts, advising everyone to choose this variety for planting.

Description and characteristics of the Dutch Impala potato

The Impala potato is an easy-to-grow plant. It can be grown in a variety of soils, and it produces a bountiful harvest everywhere. People living in various regions of the Russian Federation report abundant harvests. Residents of the southern and central regions enjoy this variety every year.

The Impala potato was developed by Dutch breeders in the 1990s. The potato plants are quite tall, reaching up to 80 cm in height, but some reach a meter. Each potato plant consists of 5-7 shoots. When flowering begins, the leaves turn a rich green. The plants bear white flowers with a yellowish center. The buds emerge simultaneously, and the flowering period lasts literally 1.5-2 weeks.

The root vegetables are oval-shaped, with small, shallow eyes sometimes visible on the surface. The skin is smooth, light yellowish or sometimes orange in color. Potatoes weigh between 120 and 170 grams, but some weigh as much as 200 grams. Inside, the potatoes contain yellow flesh.

The fruits have excellent flavor, with experts giving them a 4.9 or 5 starch rating. The potatoes have a low starch content (10 to 15%), and when cooked, they don't darken, only soften slightly. Impala potatoes don't overcook; they crack slightly, but this doesn't negatively affect their flavor.

The plant also has other positive characteristics:

1. The Impala potato's flavor consistently impresses with its superior qualities. It can be fried, stewed, used in salads, soups, and casseroles—and it delivers excellent results everywhere.
2. Impala potatoes are resistant to most diseases, as confirmed by reviews from those who have planted this crop at least once in their gardens.
3. Potatoes are susceptible to insect pests, which can significantly reduce yields. The Colorado potato beetle is particularly fond of the leaves. However, the roots can be eaten by mole crickets and wireworms.
4. Root vegetables can be stored for up to a year without rotting and retaining a presentable appearance for a long time.

Positive properties of Impala potatoes

Impala potatoes have a number of positive properties, as confirmed by the variety's description:

1. The plant adapts well to environmental conditions. It is completely resistant to drought and extreme moisture.
2. This variety has good resistance to various potato diseases. The roots can withstand potato canker, potato virus A, nematodes, scab, and late blight. Good to know: The flavor is not affected if the roots are harvested some time after they are fully ripe.
3. In the south, the fruits ripen twice a year. Each plant can produce 13 to 22 tubers. With proper care, 1 hectare can yield 40 to 60 tons per year. In more northern regions, 11 to 15 tubers are harvested.
4. The Impala potato variety is distinguished by its early maturity. The first fruits ripen 45 days after planting. The roots are fully mature after another 75 days.

Features of growing the variety

Impala potatoes can withstand temperatures as low as 5-8 degrees Celsius, as confirmed by the variety description. Tubers germinate extremely early. Planting can take place in late April or early May.

Experienced potato growers recommend that if the potatoes have no sprouts, germinate the planting materials by placing the boxes with them in a warm place for 2 weeks.

During the sprouting period, cover the potatoes with paper. This helps diffuse the sun's rays. To speed up sprouting, lightly water the potatoes every few days and turn them over.

Disinfection procedures must be carried out simultaneously with germination. A solution of potassium permanganate can be used for this purpose. Disinfection of seed roots should be carried out several times, with weekly intervals between treatments.

Once 1-centimeter sprouts have formed, the seedlings are planted in a prepared area. During preparation, the soil is dug twice, and various fertilizers are added.

Avoid planting Impala in areas previously used for potato cultivation. Avoid beds previously used for nightshade crops, including peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes. The plant grows best after cereals, legumes, and cruciferous crops.

Methods for increasing potato yields

According to numerous gardeners, the Impala potato produces a bountiful harvest, and the variety description confirms this. To ensure a good harvest, follow these guidelines:

1. Add 700 g of fertile soil, consisting of a mixture of humus and 5 tablespoons of ash, to each hole.
2. The furrows should be directed from the north to the south of the plot. This ensures maximum light and heat absorption.
3. To ensure the variety thrives, Impala potatoes should be planted at temperatures above 7°C (43°F). This variety thrives at temperatures above 20°C (68°F). However, the variety's characteristics recommend avoiding planting during extremely hot or cold weather.
4. Potatoes are fertilized three times during the season. The first time, the plants are fertilized with ammonium nitrate mixed with compost before hilling. During bud formation, potassium fertilizers are applied, consisting of a mixture of ash and potassium sulfate. To ensure better ripening of the tubers, after the flowers have fallen, a mixture of superphosphate fertilizers and cow manure should be applied in specific proportions.

To prevent rapid growth of weeds and rapid evaporation of moisture, straw, mown grass, and sawdust should be added inside the potato beds and between the rows.

Planting of seed potatoes is carried out in prepared holes (6-8 cm in size), while the soil must be well warmed and moistened.

Impala potato plants shouldn't be planted too densely. If the spacing between plants is less than 30 cm, it will become dense and significantly reduce the beneficial properties noted in the variety description. Furthermore, the yield will be so low that photos won't be any fun.

Possible pests of the variety

Potatoes are highly resistant to various diseases. To prevent the risk of disease, you can spray the plants several times with specialized preparations. However, even without these, potatoes can withstand the negative effects of late blight, scab, and viruses, which cause leaf curl.

The Impala potato variety is a favorite among insect pests, particularly the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm, which can lead to poor performance. Gardeners recommend using pest control products in their reviews. Karbofos, Aktara, Bitoksibacillin, and other pesticides are particularly effective.

To effectively prevent the appearance of garden pests, root crops should be treated before planting.

Harvesting and variety reviews

The first fruits ripen in just 45 days. The bushes reach full maturity within 70-80 days.

The Impala potato has an appealing description, and the variety's characteristics, numerous photos, and reviews from people who have planted the root crop in their gardens confirm what has been said about this root crop.

Semyon Alexandrovich, 63 years old. Alushta:

I planted the Impala variety at my garden this year. I was drawn to its early maturing. After reading the specifications and looking at numerous photos, I decided to buy a few kilos to try them out. I didn't sprout them in advance; I planted them directly in the ground. I was worried that the tubers had almost no eyes, but after two weeks, potato bushes began to emerge. I tried digging the potatoes after a month and a half. They were fully ripe after 80 days. I planted the seeds a second time and soon had a new harvest. And the taste of the fruits was amazing. I recommend them!

Tamara Alekseevna, 45 years old. Kursk region:

I've been planting Impala potatoes in my garden for several years. They're early, and the variety description, photos, and reviews caught my eye. I soon got a bountiful harvest, with 14 roots per plant. These potatoes can be boiled, stewed, or fried. They store well at the optimal temperature in a basement. They also require little maintenance.