Lasunok Potato: Description and characteristics of the variety, reviews

The Lasunok potato (see below for variety description, photos, and reviews) has been very popular among vegetable growers in Russia and neighboring countries for over 25 years. Developed by Belarusian breeders, this variety can rightfully be called a "classic."

When describing the Lasunok potato variety, one quality worth noting is its ease of cultivation. Judging by photos and reviews, the potatoes are large, uniform, and yellow. Even novice gardeners can reap a good harvest from this variety. The excellent taste of dishes prepared with Lasunok potatoes is also worth noting.

Characteristics and description of the variety

The Lasunok potato variety is mid-late. The growing season generally depends on weather conditions. On average, this variety matures in 100 days. Lasunok potatoes are suitable for growing in all regions of the country, including the northern ones. The variety's main advantages are high yield, disease resistance, and excellent flavor.

The plant forms a tall, upright bush with developed stems and strong roots. The leaves are large, green, and covered with a stiff hair that protects the plant from the Colorado potato beetle, another significant advantage of the Lasunok variety. The flowers are large, white, and bloom for a long time. The plant's foliage can reach a height of up to one meter.

The tubers of this variety are oval-shaped, with small eyes and light yellow skin. The average potato weight is 200 grams, with a starch content of 15%. A single plant can yield up to 15 tubers. This variety is known for its excellent flavor. When cooked, the potatoes retain their original color and are crisp, making them ideal for baby food.

Landing

A spot in partial shade is chosen for planting this variety. Lasunok is undemanding regarding soil conditions; however, in very heavy soils, potatoes should be planted in raised beds. Before planting, the tubers are germinated at a temperature of 7°C (44°F). If the potatoes are large, cut them into two or three pieces. The tubers will be ready for planting in approximately 20-30 days.

Lasunok is planted in late April or early March. The soil should be at least 7°C (45°F) warm. Plant the potato seeds 10-12 cm deep, space the tubers 40 cm apart, and space the rows 70 cm apart. Add wood ash (1 cup) or compost (0.5 liters) to the seed holes.

Care

Lasunok potatoes don't require any special care. The first hilling is done when the sprouts are about 10 cm tall. For this, rake the soil from between the rows, raking it toward the trunk of the potato from all sides. A second hilling is done two weeks later. Water the plants during flowering and during long periods of hot weather. Fertilize the plants during budding, using fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. These fertilizers include "Potassium Monophosphate," "Diammophoska," and "Nitrophos." Apply 40-60 g per 1 m² of plantings.

Pests and diseases

This variety has a strong immune system, making it resistant to late blight, mosaic, verticillium wilt, scab, nematodes, and various viruses. The stiff hairs on its leaves make it resistant to Colorado potato beetles. For preventative purposes, potato plants can be treated before flowering. Suitable products include "Prestige," "Iskra," "Molniya," and "Mikron."

Click beetle larvae, commonly known as wireworms, can ruin your potato harvest. To prevent this, set traps in your plot a week before planting. Plastic cups or cut-off bottles are used as traps. The containers are filled with potato peelings and buried in the soil at neck level. After 2-3 days, the hungry larvae will crawl in to feast on the potatoes. The procedure can be repeated if necessary. This simple method allows you to get rid of wireworms without chemicals. As a preventative measure, dig up the plot in late fall and practice crop rotation.

Harvesting and storage

The Lasunok potato crop is harvested in late August. If the weather is rainy, it can be harvested until mid-September on a favorable day. The potatoes are dug by hand or with machinery. Before storing, the tubers are dried outdoors for several hours.

Next, the potatoes are sorted to remove any damaged tubers and stored in the cellar. Potatoes are stored in wooden boxes or crates at a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 70-80%. Under favorable conditions, the potato harvest will keep well until spring.

Reviews

Natalia, 45 years old:

"Lasunok is a very good variety because it's resistant to the Colorado potato beetle. We fertilize the soil for planting in the fall and don't feed it during the growing season, but the harvest is always good. The boiled potatoes are fluffy, and the dishes are delicious, especially classic mashed potatoes."

Victor, 39 years old:

"We've been growing the Lasunok variety in our garden for five seasons. We've tried several modern varieties, but so far Lasunok is the best, as it's easy to grow and always produces excellent yields. Many of my gardening friends have switched to growing only this variety."

Leonid, 50 years old:

"Lasunok is a variety that doesn't require much care. My wife and I don't go to our dacha very often, so we only hill up the potatoes and treat them for pests once a season. The harvest is always good, with 10-12 tubers per hole."