Potato Zhuravinka: variety description, characteristics, photo

Thanks to a detailed description of the Zhuravinka potato variety (photo) and reviews, gardeners and homesteaders can learn more about this vegetable and its growing characteristics. Farmers believe this variety offers high yields, excellent disease and pest resistance, and good winter storage.

According to the vegetable description, the Zhuravinka potato is considered a mid-season variety. The root crop ripens in approximately 80-110 days from planting.

The plant is believed to have originated in Belarus, where this variety was developed over 10 years ago. Subsequently, the vegetable began to be transported to many countries, including Russia. For quite some time now, potatoes have been grown in fields and private plots. Thanks to its advantages and high resistance to various diseases, this vegetable has become a favorite among many gardeners and homesteaders.

Since the plant is not at all fussy, it can be grown in any location and requires little care. The Zhuravinka potato variety (photo) itself, according to its description, has the following characteristics: sturdy, upright, short bushes. Medium-sized leaves with prominent veins and wavy edges. A single bush can produce no more than six stems.

Potato inflorescences are large with purple petals. Seed-bearing berries are rarely produced. The first sprouts emerge simultaneously, and growth is intense during the first few months. Rapid development is also characteristic of the root system and root vegetables.

The Zhuravinka potato variety is characterized by good yield, resistance to diseases and pests, suitability for winter storage, and easy cultivation.

It is believed that the average yield of the vegetable ranges from 400 to 700 centners.

The yield is stable annually, it does not depend on environmental conditions, the vegetable does not require special fertilization or care, and is not susceptible to mechanical stress.

The Zhuravinka variety has high commercial qualities and stores well. Tuber survival is estimated at 96%, meaning only 4% of the total harvest is susceptible to adverse conditions and spoilage. The remaining potatoes survive the winter well and are perfectly preserved until spring and early summer, without losing their flavor or commercial qualities.

Potato Zhuravinka: yield, tubers, ripening time

The Zhuravinka potato can be grown in a variety of climates and produces very high yields. This explains its widespread popularity among gardeners and homesteaders. However, to achieve high yields, it is necessary to follow a specific growing technique, control pests and diseases, properly fertilize the soil, and provide proper care.

Based on the maturation period, this potato variety requires approximately 100 days to harvest. In some areas, this period can reach 110 days. However, thanks to the uniform emergence of the plant, the harvest is uniform and consistent.

When harvesting potatoes, a single plant can contain 15-20 large or medium-sized tubers. Externally, they are round or slightly elongated, ranging in color from pink to reddish. The skin is dense and medium-thick. The surface is often bumpy or smooth, with a slight mesh pattern and evenly spaced eyes. The inside of the potato is light yellow, allowing it to cook well without turning into mush. This is due to the high starch content, which can reach 20% or more in a single tuber.

Adherence to all growing principles and technology allows for a good summer harvest. A single plant often yields up to 2 kg of potatoes. Therefore, the Zhuravinka variety is popular among private plots and farmers. Its excellent marketability, flavor, and storage properties further enhance its advantages.

Advantages and disadvantages

The positive qualities of the Zhuravinka potato are:

1. The plant has high resistance to various diseases and many types of pathogens.
2. Well developed root system.
3. Excellent resistance to mechanical stress.
4. The vegetable is not afraid of temperature changes and can feel comfortable at +7C° to 40C°.
5. The potato variety is unpretentious in care.
6. High yields are observed regardless of environmental conditions.
7. When cooked, the vegetable boils well.
8. Excellent taste.

The disadvantages of this plant include:

1. Intolerance to dry climate.
2. Development of diseases and possible rotting of the plant due to excessive soil moisture.

Growing rules

Growing the Zhuravinka variety is almost identical to growing regular potatoes. Although this plant is easy to grow, certain principles and proper care are still required.

Achieving a high yield is quite easy; you just need to properly prepare the soil, tubers, and plant them.

The Zhuravinka potato variety is considered particularly demanding of various soil bacteria, which promote good growth and development. Therefore, the soil should be dug and the holes loosened according to a specific pattern:

1. Furrows are made throughout the area designated for potato cultivation. They are filled with grass, leaves, and plant stems and covered with fine brown coal.
2. The remaining, untouched area is dug up with a pitchfork to a depth of 15 cm.
3. Fertilize the vegetable immediately upon planting. To do this, add a little humus or prepared compost to the hole.

For potato planting, tubers are selected in advance. Ideally, seedlings weighing 30-100 grams are ideal. To green up the tubers and wait for sprouts, they are placed outdoors in a brightly lit area for 7-10 days. This should be done before storing the potatoes in the cellar to prevent mice infestations and the development of certain diseases.

Before planting potatoes in the soil, it's also advisable to keep them outdoors for 30-50 days, maintaining a consistent temperature. Start at 18°C ​​(64°F), gradually increasing to 4°C (39°F). This will harden the tubers and prepare them for planting in the ground.

The planting time for the Zhuravinka potato variety varies by region. In western Russia, cultivation begins in early May, while in southern regions, planting may begin as early as April.

For each potato plant, a plot of land should be allocated with a spacing of at least 30x30 cm. Therefore, the distance between adjacent holes should be 20-30 cm, and between rows up to 50 cm.

Planting begins after preparing the soil and digging the holes. Since this potato variety does not tolerate drought well, the tubers are planted 10-12 cm deep. The potato is planted at a temperature of 6-7 degrees Celsius (43-45 degrees Fahrenheit) and the area between the rows is watered. By following these simple rules, you can avoid dry soil and grow a bountiful harvest.

A tuber is placed in each hole with the sprout facing up, covered with soil on top and the soil is lightly harrowed with a rake.

Care instructions

To ensure vigorous growth and development, potatoes require proper care. This includes proper soil cultivation, regular watering, weeding, hilling, and pest control.

It's recommended to begin hilling up Zhuravinka potatoes when the sprouts reach 15 cm in height. Using a hoe, spread the soil over the plant, forming a mound. While hilling, weed the soil around the bushes.

Subsequent hilling is carried out before flowering, approximately 3 weeks before this moment.

Hilling allows air circulation and saturates the soil with oxygen, and moisture is evenly distributed, preventing the development of diseases and rot.

Watering potatoes requires a specific technique, as the plant tolerates neither excess nor lack of moisture. If there's been no precipitation for a long period, water the plants yourself, morning and evening.

When, on the contrary, prolonged and heavy rains occur, it is necessary to regularly weed and loosen the soil to prevent stagnation of liquid, which leads to many diseases and rotting of the plant.

Fertilizing is also necessary during the vegetable's growth period. All fertilizing is calculated based on 10 liters of water and is done in stages:

1. Before potato flowering, apply urea (1 tbsp); 0.5 liters per plant. Water at the root system, avoiding contact with the upper part of the plant.
2. During flower formation, apply 1 tablespoon of superphosphate and a cup of ash. Water the potato plant with 0.5 liters.
3. During the flowering period of plants, 1 tablespoon of superphosphate is diluted in a bucket of water at a rate of 0.5 liters per bush.

Diseases and pests of the variety

Like other potato varieties, Zhuravinka is also susceptible to various pests and diseases.

Among the common forms of diseases, the following are distinguished:

1. Late blight is characterized by the development of white and brown spots on the leaves, stems, and tubers. These spots tend to penetrate deep into the potato, rendering it inedible.
2. Viruses are identified by dry, yellowing leaves. They become discolored and fall off. The plant itself stops growing and eventually dies.
3. Rhizoctonia is a common fungal disease. It is characterized by root rot, dark spots on the leaves and stems, and dryness of the plant. This slows growth and development, and eventually the plant dies.
4. Root rot is manifested by rotting of the root, as a result of which the bush dies.

Common pests of the Zhuravinka potato include mole crickets, Colorado potato beetles, wireworms, and field mice. To prevent diseases and pests, it is important to properly care for, plant, and store seeds.

Harvesting and storage

To preserve the maximum yield, Zhuravinka potatoes should be harvested on time. Typically, harvesting begins after the plant's tops fall, which is around August 20th.

After harvesting the tubers, they are laid out on a flat surface, preferably with some sunlight and plenty of space, to dry. Only then are the potatoes stored in boxes or bags in the cellar. Before harvesting them outdoors, it's recommended to sort the tubers into seed potatoes and small potatoes. The latter group also includes bad potatoes or those punctured during digging.

Reviews

Love, 42 years old:

"My family loves potatoes, so after years of growing them, we chose the Zhuravinka variety. We're very happy with it; the tubers are large and even, the flavor is excellent, and they cook well."

Oleg, 35 years old:

"I'm very pleased with the Zhuravinka potato, especially its high yield, resistance to temperature fluctuations, good winter storage, and excellent flavor. Thanks to its excellent shelf life and marketability, it sells well."

Alevtina, 56 years old:

"I absolutely love cranberries. They have a wonderful flavor, so you can use them in so many dishes. If you follow simple growing guidelines and recommendations, you'll reap a bountiful harvest."