German Potato 'Molly': Description and Growing Instructions (Photo)

The Molly potato became known to gardeners thanks to German breeders. The variety quickly gained popularity in the post-Soviet space thanks to its luxurious appearance, incredible flavor, and excellent yield.

Despite the fact that breeders attract gardeners' attention with new varieties every year, many of which are hybrid and disease-resistant, Molly remains a favorite of millions. There are reasons for this. Let's learn more about the growing rules and characteristics of Molly potatoes.

Description and characteristics of the German potato Molly

This variety thrives in the central and northwestern regions of Russia. It's an early-ripening potato, which can fully mature in 70 days from the moment the first shoots emerge. Young potatoes can be harvested for eating after at least 45 days. This variety is characterized by high yields. Tubers form early, and by mid-season, the young fruits are ready to eat, with their distinctive flavor and delicate aroma.

This table variety can be grown under plastic, where it germinates and stores well. Molly has won over many gardeners with its high shelf life, reaching up to 83%. In many catalogs, the variety has been rated 4.1 out of 5 in the taste category. The flesh remains firm when steamed, and when boiled, the potatoes remain soft and moderately crisp. From harvest, the potatoes retain their attractive appearance for a long time, with shelf life ranging from 89 to 93%. They are not susceptible to mechanical damage.

Advantages of culture:

1. A major advantage of the Molly variety is its ability to cope well with various diseases, resist viruses and potato cancer.
2. Molly has high immunity to nematodes.
3. Late blight, which affects potato tops, is rare in this variety; this disease does not damage scab or tubers.

Potato Molly: yield, shoot, root crop

By the 45th day from the first shoots, there is approximately 15 tons of harvest per hectare. By the time of maturity, the yield doubles:

1. Molly fruits have a yellow, smooth skin with small, inconspicuous, shallow-set eyes.
2. The flesh is yellow, several tones lighter than the skin of the tubers.
3. Molly fruits are characterized by a fine-grained structure and darkening of color after processing at high temperatures.
4. The tubers are oval-shaped and have an acceptable starch content, amounting to 15.3% in percentage terms.
5. One tuber can weigh from 90 g to 150 g.

The bushes are tall, with shoots growing between semi-erect and spreading. The central leaves are light green with subtle ripples. The foliage grows more vigorously as the growing season begins. By this time, the bushes will produce few flowers, but those that do form have white corollas. The Molly potato, according to the variety's description and many reviews, is one of the best early potatoes.

Growing rules

Before planting, the tubers are treated with growth stimulants, nutrient solutions, and ash. Experienced gardeners, to increase germination rates and maximize yields, sprout potatoes, thereby increasing their resistance to many diseases and adverse environmental factors.

Many prefer to plant Molly potatoes in early May, as long as the soil is warm by this time and the temperature is at least 60°C (140°F). Each gardener should consider the specific conditions of their region. The crop can be planted with a spade or plow. The most effective planting pattern for Molly potatoes is 70x70 cm (28x28 inches). Based on the variety description, photos, and reviews from gardeners, Molly potatoes should be planted with wider row spacings.

Care instructions

The Molly potato variety has its own characteristics and features, and experienced gardeners recommend that novice potato growers pay attention to these in their reviews.

Fertilizer requires organic and mineral materials in liquid form. Fans of this variety know that it responds well to a solution of mullein or bird droppings.

The variety requires more frequent watering when it begins to form tubers. A couple of buckets of water per square meter is sufficient. Hilling Molly yields a higher yield, as additional tubers will form on the additional stems located underground. Hilling should only be performed on moist soil.

Diseases and pests of the variety

Late blight can occur on Molly potatoes due to improper care and inattention on the part of the potato grower. The disease manifests itself as brown spots on the stems and leaves of the plant. Clearly defined brown spots also indicate this disease. Common scab is also common on Molly potatoes. It manifests as raised ulcers on the fruit. To combat the disease, use an ammonium sulfate-based solution. Fertilize during the flowering stage.

Reviews

Vitaly:

"Molly is our family's favorite potato variety. We eat the new potatoes early, and the flavor is incredible. We've never grown a better variety."

Lyudmila:

"I don't always have the time to go to the dacha and water the garden. I was looking for a variety that could cope with drought. Someone recommended Molly. This is my second year growing this potato, and I haven't found a better one yet."

Alesya:

"I told everyone I knew about Molly and treated everyone to the best tubers. This year, thanks to a good harvest and excellent weather, we got a lot of potatoes, so we had to make a large stockpile for the winter. I hope this variety will please us with its shelf life; the reviews in this regard, at least, have been good."

Maxim:

"I planted Molly once, but I'll definitely do it again. It's a very easy-to-care-for variety. I'm not always lucky enough to find good, early-ripening potatoes, and I can't always time the planting weather right. But I haven't had any problems with this variety. I'm 100% satisfied with the yield, even though I only planted a few tubers because my plot doesn't allow for more. I'm glad I discovered this wonderful potato."