Lorkh Potato: Variety Description, Growing Instructions, Reviews

The Lorkh potato requires no special introduction, as it is the most renowned, widespread, and long-used variety in the country, cultivated by the A.G. Lorkh Penza All-Russian Research Institute of Potato Farming. It was entered into the State Register back in 1931. The variety's description and its excellent characteristics are familiar not only to experienced but also to novice growers.

Its flavor has long been beloved not only by domestic consumers but also well beyond Russia's borders. It doesn't require any special growing practices; the key is good seed and adherence to the prescribed growing conditions. The reward is always a good yield (as evidenced by many years of favorable reviews) and excellent tubers: white when cut, not darkening when peeled or cooked, crisp, and suitable for any culinary needs.

Description and characteristics of the variety

As the variety description indicates, the Lorkh potato is not without its drawbacks: it is susceptible to scab and cancer, requires ample watering during the growing season, and is sensitive to heat. However, these shortcomings are more than offset by its resistance to viruses, fungi, and late blight. The variety is distinguished by its high vitamin C and protein content. The description also mentions that it is one of the main varieties used for starch production. Following basic cultivation guidelines, it is possible to obtain up to 35 tons per hectare, despite the fact that A.G. Lorkh developed it back in 1922. In four years, the variety will celebrate its centenary. The marketable yield consistently ranges from 88 to 92%, as evidenced by reviews from domestic growers who continue to use this proven variety for industrial cultivation.

The Lorkh potato variety yields 25-35 tons per hectare. This range depends on the necessary growing conditions. When all the necessary factors are met (absence of heat, adequate watering during bud and flower formation, professional fertilizing, hilling, loosening, and high-quality, properly prepared seed), the yield can be increased by 25-30%. Without proper care, the variety has an average yield, and without pest control, it can be susceptible to scab and canker. The Lorkh potato will grace any field: its relatively tall bush grows a deep green color, and blooms with red-violet flowers.

Preferred growing regions:

• Central;
• Central Black Earth;
• Northwestern;
• North Caucasian;
• Middle and Lower Volga;
• Ural.

Depending on the growing region, the tubers average 90 to 150 grams in weight. The skin is thin, and the eyes are shallow. Unless they become overgrown due to poor conditions or improper care, they are yellowish-brown in color, smooth, and light green where the skin meets the potato. Despite their high starch content, they do not darken during peeling or cooking.

Advantages and disadvantages of the proven variety

Years of cultivation and the demand for seed indicate that this variety, with its nearly century-old reputation, has far more advantages than its shortcomings. When it comes to advice for a beginning gardener to avoid being overwhelmed by the abundance of varieties, the Lorkh potato always comes to mind, with its smooth, heavy tubers, excellent shelf life, and incomparable taste.

There are many arguments in favor of the Penza variety, developed by domestic breeders, which is high-quality and widespread:

• a relatively tall bush that is tolerant of cool temperatures;
• ability to resist diseases (late blight, rust);
• excellent immunity to fungi and viruses (bacteriosis);
• attractive appearance;
• full-bodied large tubers;
• suitability for any culinary needs;
• significant content of protein and vitamin C;
• high percentage of starch, making it in demand in the industrial and food industries;
• shelf life and ability to withstand transportation well;
• proven long-term reputation;
• a product of domestic selection, oriented towards specific, but variable climatic conditions;
• high yield (25-35 tons per hectare);
• optimal yield of commercial product (88-92%).

For a small plot of land that is regularly tended, the Lorkh potato variety can become a much more productive crop. This can be achieved by providing it with the necessary conditions. The variety's characteristics indicate its high potential, which can overcome the aforementioned shortcomings. Timely fertilization will prevent potato tubers from developing malformed shapes, and timely preventative measures will protect against the few diseases for which it hasn't been bred to be immune.

Planting and basic care rules

As the variety description indicates, Lorkh potatoes are best planted in soil prepared in the fall. To do this, dig the soil up to the depth of a spade and cover it with chopped plants, straw, and manure or compost. Fall preparation will yield optimal results if the potatoes are planted in a different location than in the same area, but in areas previously occupied by legumes, annual or perennial grasses, lupine, flax, or winter crops. A thrifty farmer knows how changing the planting location affects the variety's yield.

The plot should be located at a relatively elevated position (otherwise the tubers will rot). This will ensure they receive good light, especially during the growing season, when intensive photosynthesis occurs for the formation and development of potato fruits. The soil and planting material are pre-treated using traditional or commercial remedies to prevent disease.

Only healthy, full-fledged seeds are used for planting (photo). The optimal time for planting is considered to be late April and early to mid-May (depending on the regional climate). In a small garden, potatoes can be planted in the same spot as pumpkins, cucumbers, or tomatoes.

According to the variety description and numerous reviews, Lorkh potatoes are planted in three ways:

• hole-wise, in holes at a distance of 40 cm, with a row spacing of 70 cm, fertilizing the planting site and filling it with soil to the top;
• trench (for dry soil), in 30-cm trenches dug in advance in the fall, with straw placed there, which is left before planting as additional fertilizer;
• ridge - for wet soil, on ridges approximately 20 cm high, which are specially constructed on the top layer of soil.

Nitrogen fertilizers can be used for fertilizing, but the variety's creator believed that chemicals impair the potato's flavor. Therefore, organic matter is traditionally used for fertilizing this variety: manure, compost, chopped grass or straw left in the field in the fall, and ash applied to the planting holes.

Hilling is done the classic way with the hole-planting method – twice. Additional hilling is rarely necessary, as the variety's bushes are 80 cm tall, spreading, and strong. Watering is recommended during bud and flower formation, but in hot weather, it's better to apply additional moisture between the rows, as Lorkh is sensitive to lack of adequate water. After 115-120 days, a test dig can be performed to assess the potato's maturity and the onset of harvest.

Harvesting and storage

Potatoes should be harvested before the first frost. Harvesting on a dry, sunny day can significantly extend their shelf life, even in a simple, dark, and dry cellar, not to mention specialized warehouses where suitable conditions are created industrially.

This potato variety, with a proven reputation spanning nearly a century, requires no additional advertising and continues to be consistently used in private and industrial plantings.