The Riviera potato finds many admirers among Russian gardeners. Many have come to appreciate its nutritional value, impeccable taste, ease of care, and resistance to potato diseases and pests.
The Riviera potato is just beginning to gain popularity in Russia, but many gardeners have already come to appreciate the nutritional content, flavor, and ease of cultivation of this vegetable crop.
Description and characteristics of the Riviera potato
Riviera is a popular Dutch variety that has only recently been cultivated but has already gained popularity. It was added to the State Register in 2013. It is an early-ripening variety, so young tubers can be harvested and used within a month and a half of germination. Ripening occurs within two months. Farmers note the high yield, long-term storage potential, and impeccable flavor.
Appearance
Potato plants can be low or medium-sized. A semi-upright or spreading habit is preferred. The plant is distinguished by large, light green leaves with slightly wavy edges. Red-purple flowers don't always appear, as potatoes typically only produce buds. Rapid and uniform germination allows for a quick harvest.
The oval-shaped potatoes have a dense, smooth skin, small eyes, and a light beige hue. They typically weigh 100-117 grams. The creamy flesh indicates that they are suitable for culinary purposes. The starch content is expected to be 11-15%, making them a delicious choice for pancakes, stews, and soups. The marketability of the Riviera variety ranges from 80-96%.
Productivity
Riviera is a productive variety. A single plant produces up to 8-12 tubers. Two harvests are possible in southern Russia. The first harvest takes place in the first half of July, and the second in early September.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The description of the Riviera potato allows you to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the variety.
- The root vegetables are a sign of high-quality potatoes: a dense and smooth skin, small and slight roughness, light yellow skin, and very small eyes. The grainy, creamy flesh has a pleasant flavor and develops a crumbly texture after cooking. Smooth tubers can weigh up to 170 grams.
- The nutritional value of early potatoes includes starch content of up to 18 percent. They also contain amino acids, minerals, and proteins. They are ideal for a healthy diet.
- A tall, upright bush ensures that the root crops are protected from unwanted drying out. Furthermore, the potato plant has a powerful root system, ensuring resistance to virtually any weather conditions and ideal absorption of beneficial fertilizers.
- Increased resistance to most diseases and pests. Early potatoes mature in less than 1.5 months, making their immune system a boon for beginning gardeners.
Riviera Potato Growing Guidelines
Seed preparation
High-quality seed is essential for successful potato cultivation. Sprouting potato tubers will speed up the growing season. Planting sprouted potatoes guarantees a harvest a week earlier than expected.
Seed potatoes are selected during the main harvest and stored under special conditions. These storage conditions must be strictly adhered to, as they directly affect the quality of the vegetables. In early spring, the potatoes are sorted, and any damaged or frost-bitten roots are discarded. Only high-quality, medium-sized potatoes are suitable for planting.
The easiest way to prepare potatoes for planting is to place them in a warm, sunny spot for a couple of weeks. The optimal temperature is 12–15 degrees Celsius. During this period, the tubers are turned regularly to ensure they reach the desired quality for subsequent sprouting.
Preparing the site for planting
The Riviera potato variety will live up to expectations if the plot is properly managed. It's best to choose a site with good light and light soil. For example, a location that's protected from strong winds and warmed by the sun is recommended. It's also a good idea to choose a site that won't accumulate melted snow, as potatoes are planted early and need to thrive.
The selected area is cleared of weeds, as such plants disrupt the potato growth process.
Potato planting is carried out taking into account the following features:
- the soil must be warmed up to +10 degrees;
- the optimal planting pattern is 60x35 centimeters;
- Potato tubers are planted to a depth of 6 centimeters.
Correct planting ensures successful potato cultivation.
Riviera Potato Care Guide
The description of the Riviera potato variety, photos, and reviews make it clear that proper care of this vegetable crop guarantees a rich and high-quality harvest.
Care necessarily includes the following activities:
- watering;
- nutrition;
- hilling;
- loosening.
Hilling is one of the most important steps in potato care. Hilling is performed after the plant reaches 15 centimeters. The process is then repeated after three weeks.
Loosening the soil is an important procedure, as it improves the condition of potatoes during heavy rains and droughts.
Weeding the soil is carried out regularly to ensure that the potatoes receive sufficient nutrients and water and grow under the light.
Protection from diseases and pests
Riviera is resistant to most potato diseases. However, the risk of late blight remains, so infection and pest prevention is recommended. Before planting, the potatoes and soil are treated with special preparations. The tubers are arranged in a single layer and sprayed with a special solution. After the tubers have dried, they are turned over and treated again. The dried potatoes are planted. To boost the vegetable's immune system, the bushes are sprayed with special agents (such as Fitosporin).
Harvesting
Once the potato stalks have fallen and withered, the harvest is ready. A couple of weeks before harvest, it's recommended to remove the potato tops from the plot, as this will ensure the ripe, nutritious potatoes are more resilient to storage conditions. The harvest is carried out between July and September. In the southern regions of Russia, the harvest is carried out twice.
After harvesting, root vegetables are dried in a field or under a canopy, sorted, and rotted and infected ones are removed. It is recommended to spray the potatoes and storage area with a special biological product to ensure longer storage.
The Riviera potato variety is recommended for storage in a cellar at temperatures between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius. During winter, the tubers are sorted twice or three times, removing any spoiled or frost-bitten ones.
Reviews
Oleg, 46 years old:
"Riviera is a very good, high-quality potato. A bountiful harvest makes it particularly popular. It's worth noting that Riviera's flavor isn't impressive, and it's not designed for long-term storage. However, it's still considered one of the best. Furthermore, after Riviera, you can use something else for a second crop in the same year."
Vera, 39 years old:
"Riviera is one of my favorite potatoes. This variety is resistant to many diseases and pests, but late blight sometimes attacks the vegetable crop. Early Riviera pleases with a decent harvest that reveals impeccable flavor and aroma."
Olga, 35 years old:
"The Riviera ripens very early and is resilient to adverse weather conditions. A good harvest helps the potato find new fans. Furthermore, its pleasant, delicate flavor makes it ideal for culinary use."
The characteristics of the Riviera potato variety and reviews help you decide whether to grow this vegetable crop in your own garden. Proper planting and care often guarantee a high-quality harvest.
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