Queen Anne Potato: Description and characteristics of the variety, reviews

The description, reviews, and characteristics of the Queen Anna potato variety all testify to its high demand and positive qualities. Therefore, it is grown not only by farmers, but also by gardeners and summer residents on their private plots.

According to the description, the Queen Anne potato is considered an early-ripening variety. It is believed that it takes about 70 days for the potato to fully mature. However, the tubers can be eaten somewhat earlier; they will simply have a thin skin that peels off easily.

The plant grows to a medium height, with straight stems and large, bright green leaves. The shape and bushiness of the leaves are largely determined by sufficient organic matter and nitrogen in the soil.

During flowering, the plant produces large, whitish flowers. Once the tubers are sufficiently developed, the flowers fall off, and the leaves may dry out and turn yellow. This indicates maturity and the time to harvest.

The vegetable's full growing season lasts approximately 70 days, making it considered an early variety. Regarding pests and diseases, the plant has good resistance to both, resulting in a bountiful harvest, and is not particularly fussy about soil conditions.

A complete description of the Queen Anne potato variety is as follows:

1. The tubers are medium-sized, reaching a weight of 90 g or more.
2. A high starch content is noted – 14%.
3. Potatoes are suitable for long-term storage and have good marketability.
4. Vegetables can be grown on any type of soil.
5. The tubers cook well, are used to prepare various dishes, and do not darken during cooking.
6. Excellent taste.
7. Potatoes are not very demanding in terms of care.

Characteristics of the root crop

Queen Anne potato tubers have the following characteristics:

1. The shape is predominantly round and slightly elongated, with small, neat eyes. The skin is thin and delicate, easy to peel.
2. The potato flesh is a rich yellow color, so it cooks quickly and moderately, making it suitable for a variety of dishes.
3. The tubers are smooth in appearance and rarely misshapen. They average 80 g in weight, but can reach 140 g.
4. The tubers have excellent flavor, with a slightly sweet taste. However, according to gardeners and vegetable growers, the taste of the vegetable depends on the environment, so it's important to maintain optimal weather conditions. If there's no rain, water the tubers; when there is heavy rain, loosen and weed the soil more frequently.
5. The starch content in potatoes ranges from 13 to 15%, so the vegetable is widely used in the production of starch and other food products.
6. The tubers don't overcook when cooked, making them perfect for salads, soups, and homemade chips. Queen Anne potatoes are also delicious fried.

Productivity

Based on the description, photos, and reviews of the Queen Anna potato variety, we can conclude that it produces a high yield after just two months of cultivation. However, if climate conditions permit, planting the plant twice a year can double the yield, which is especially beneficial for farmers or private sellers.

Based on statistical data, the following yield pattern can be observed: 45 days after planting, the potato yield reaches 140 c/ha. By 55 days, it reaches 220 c/ha, and the maximum yield at technical maturity can range from 300 to 500 c/ha, depending on cultivation technology and care.

Description of the escape

The Queen Anne potato has an upright, moderately bushy growth habit. It reaches a medium height, with stems that are not very spread out. The leaves are numerous, large, slightly wrinkled, with prominent veins and a rich green color.

The bush bears numerous, medium-sized, whitish flowers with small petals. Seeds and berries are rarely produced.

Climatic zones for growing

Thanks to its early technical maturity, the Queen Anna potato variety can be grown anywhere in Russia. Europe is also suitable. A good harvest can also be achieved in areas with prevalent aridity, provided careful watering is provided.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Based on reviews from gardeners and summer residents, it can be concluded that the Queen Anna potato has minimal disadvantages and many advantages.

Among the negative qualities, low drought tolerance, susceptibility of bushes to isolated diseases, and moisture requirements in arid regions are highlighted.

The advantages of potatoes are:

1. High yield.
2. Good taste and content of vitamins and nutrients in the tuber.
3. Suitability for marketability and long shelf life.
4. Rapid maturity of potatoes.
5. Resistant to mechanical impacts.
6. It is not demanding in cultivation and does not require a special type of soil.
7. It is immune to pests and some diseases.

Growing rules

Planting Queen Anne potatoes follows the traditional process, as with other varieties. Growing this vegetable isn't particularly difficult; the key is proper care, knowing the appropriate site, and fertilizing the soil. The only difference with this potato variety is its need for additional moisture in arid regions, and the tubers should only be planted in warm, moist soil.

Landing site

When growing Queen Anne potatoes, it's important to choose the right soil. It's not recommended to plant in a spot where nightshade crops were grown the previous summer. Planting after nightshade crops should only be done after three years, as these vegetables have special properties and drain all the nutrients from the soil.

Also, you can’t grow potatoes in the same area every year, so that the tubers don’t degenerate.

Queen Anne potatoes can be planted next to cucumbers, beans, or cabbage. When planting, consider the area's light levels, groundwater levels, soil moisture, and climate.

Soil requirements

For best potato growth and a bountiful harvest, it's best to choose black soil, loamy clay, or sandy loam soil. The soil should be loose, well-aerated, and contain adequate amounts of chemicals.

To improve soil fertility, various fertilizers are used. For example, wood ash, compost, magnesium substrate, and other substances are also used. The soil pH when planting potatoes should be no more than 6. A higher pH is unsuitable for the vegetable, as the plant does not tolerate acidic and alkaline environments well, and weeds will grow in the soil.

Planting Guidelines for Queen Anne Potatoes

The Queen Anne potato has gained widespread popularity for its ease of cultivation and bountiful harvest. According to gardeners and summer residents, even minimal care is sufficient for a good harvest of this vegetable.

Optimal timing

Choosing the right time to plant potatoes is crucial. Planting too early will not produce fruit, and the tubers may remain in the ground for a long time without sprouting. Therefore, it's important to know the exact time to grow potatoes.

The optimal time for the Queen Anna variety is considered to be between April 20th and May 15th. Trees can also be used as a guide. Some gardeners and summer residents begin planting the vegetable when the birch leaves emerge.

As for temperature, the best time for potatoes is cool weather, slightly damp soil that is warmed up to at least 10 cm deep.

Preparation of planting material

To ensure smooth potato germination and a bountiful harvest, prepare the planting material in advance. About a week before the expected planting date, inspect the potatoes and select the best tubers, discarding any that are spoiled, gnawed by mice, or too small.

The selected seeds are placed in bags and placed outdoors where there is sufficient sunlight. This sunlight is necessary for the tubers to dry and germinate, ensuring that subsequent sprouts emerge simultaneously.

Planting diagram

Planting Queen Anne potatoes is quite easy; you just need to follow the general growing rules:

1. It's recommended to prepare the soil in the fall. To do this, dig up the soil, spread compost or manure, and dig it up again. In the spring, you can add additional nitrogen compounds.
2. Potatoes are planted in the prepared soil. At this stage, spacing is important. Leave 40 cm between plants and 70 cm between rows, and dig small holes.
3. The tubers are placed in the resulting holes with the sprouts facing up and are not buried tightly.
4. It is advisable to place peat on top of the holes, this will improve germination and enrich the soil with substances.

Care instructions

A bountiful potato harvest can only be achieved through proper plant care. Although this vegetable variety is easy to grow, basic care is still necessary:

1. When tubers begin to form, it's important to water the soil thoroughly and regularly. This occurs during flowering. Watering should be done once a week. Afterward, it's essential to loosen the soil and weed.
2. It is necessary to remove flowers from the plant in a timely manner so that future tubers are large and ripen faster.
3. Since the Queen Anne potato's root system is located almost at the surface, it's important to hill the plants frequently. This not only helps protect the roots but also prevents the soil from drying out and excess water from accumulating.
4. To ensure vigorous potato growth, they also require fertilization. Fertilizer is typically applied three times during the plant's growth cycle—during bush development, when the flowers begin to bloom, and during the active flowering stage. Mineral and organic compounds are used as fertilizers.
5. It is important to weed potatoes on time to remove weeds and ensure air permeability by loosening the soil.
6. Throughout the potato growth period, you should inspect the bushes for pests and diseases in order to take timely measures and preserve the harvest.

Diseases and pests

If you do not follow the growing technology and do not care for the plants, potatoes can easily be affected by diseases and pests.

Dangerous diseases include rot, late blight, canker, spotting, fungus, scab, and others. All of these are characterized by damage not only to the leaves and stems, but also to the tuber itself. Therefore, it's important to take preventative measures, promptly eliminate diseases, and also regularly fertilize the soil, water the potatoes, and spray them with specialized preparations.

Common pests of the Queen Anne potato variety include the Colorado potato beetle, mole cricket, and wireworm. These pests attack the plant not only externally but also in the soil.

Harvesting and storage

Potato harvesting begins 70 days after planting. You can also monitor the plants' appearance: the leaves will dry out, the tops will turn yellow, and the flowers will fall off.

Depending on the growing season, the potato harvest period may be early July or August.

Vegetables are stored in a cellar where the minimum temperature is at least 3°C ​​(3°F). Before storing, the vegetables should be dried and any bad or spoiled tubers removed. The potatoes are then bagged and stored.

Reviews

Alina, 34 years old:

"I have only good things to say about the Queen Anna potato variety. I really liked how easy it is to grow; it's very low maintenance, grows quickly, has excellent flavor, and is disease-resistant."

Ivan, 29 years old:

"Last year, I planted several potato varieties in my garden, including Queen Anne. Based on the harvest, I decided to plant only this variety. The tubers are medium-sized, smooth, don't overcook, and have a long shelf life. They're very disease-resistant and have excellent marketability."

Olesya, 37 years old:

"I spent a long time searching for the right potato variety, as my soil is rather damp. A friend recommended Queen Anne, which she's been planting for four years now. I'm very pleased with the harvest: the tubers are large and even, with yellow flesh and a slightly sweet flavor. The potatoes took only two months to mature, during which time I hilled and weeded the garden twice."