Lorkh Potato Variety, Description, Characteristics And Reviews, As Well As Cultivation Features

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Lorkh potatoes: resurrected from oblivion

Modern agronomists grow several thousand varieties of potatoes that are adapted to different climates and types of soil. And among them, the Lorkh potato is very popular in our climate.

Content

• 1 The history of the breeding of the Lorkh potato variety
• 2 Description of the potato variety Lorkh
• 3 Characteristics of the potato variety Lorkh
• 4 Cultivation of the Lorkh potato variety
• 5 Reviews

The history of breeding the potato variety Lorkh

This potato variety is one of the "veterans" in Russian agronomy - it was created back in 1922 at the Korenevskaya experimental station. Its creator was Alexander Georgievich Lorkh, whose surname, accordingly, became the name of a new type of potato tubers. By the way, soon after the breeding of the variety, the scientist was appointed director of this station. The variety was entered into the State Register in the 30s.

From its inception until the 50s, Lorkh was incredibly popular - it was grown in almost every farm. And this is not surprising, because he invariably delighted with a rich harvest and wonderful taste. Unfortunately, in the second half of the 20th century, Lorkh was supplanted by newly created varieties, and it almost disappeared. However, already today the variety has been resurrected from oblivion by the A. G. Lorkha, into which the Korenev experimental station was transformed.

At present, the former Korenevskaya experimental station has been transformed into the N. N. A. G. Lorkha and is engaged not only in the development of new varieties of potatoes, but also in the creation of semi-finished products from it

Description of the potato variety Lorkh

The bushes of this variety can grow up to 80 centimeters in height, the petals of its flowers have a delicate lilac color with purple veins in the center. The core is classically yellow, medium in size. The period after flowering is practically not marked by the appearance of berries. The leaves on the bush have a light green tint, have a small dissection, and are medium in size.

The tubers of Lorkh potatoes are “dressed” in a light brown peel, which is mostly smooth, only near the top of the potato can slightly peel off. There are few eyes and they are distributed evenly over the entire area.

All tubers are relatively similar in size and can grow up to 90–120 g. Their shape is round-oval. When cutting, it can be seen that the potatoes of this variety are white, by the way, after peeling it does not darken. The pulp of a raw tuber is soft and slightly watery.

According to the tasters, the taste of Lorkh potatoes is simply excellent.

When I asked my grandmother if she remembered a potato variety like Lorkh, to my great surprise, the answer was yes. According to her story, in the post-war years, when my grandmother was still a 10-year-old girl, my mother (my great-grandmother) managed to exchange her luxurious silk scarf, donated by her great-grandfather, who died in the war, for two buckets of sprouted tubers. Their halves had to be planted in the hope of a future harvest, although there was nothing to eat. As a result, until August, the grandmother, her two sisters and her brother ate nettle soup and fruits found in the gardens. Well, great-grandmother brought bread. And yet they survived, waiting for Lorkh's harvest. And frankly, they did not regret that they planted - the dug potatoes were enough for them to somehow survive until next spring.

Lorkh potatoes are distinguished by their excellent taste and unpretentious cultivation.

Characteristics of the potato variety Lorkh

This variety is suitable for cultivation in various climatic conditions. Among the regions where it is cultivated:

• Central Black Earth;
• Middle Volga;
• North Caucasian;
• Central;
• Northwestern;
• Uralsky.

It can also be cultivated in Ukraine and Moldova.

Lorkh potatoes are a medium late variety, ripening 110–120 days after planting. One bush gives an average of 15–25 potatoes. About 90% of the entire crop will last until spring, which is considered a high figure. The variety has a good yield - from 10 sq. m you can collect about 25–35 kg. Lorkh shows resistance to many diseases of root crops, in particular, rust, viral infections, late blight, etc. Potato scab and cancer are dangerous for the variety.

This variety is characterized by high starch content (15–20%), which makes it an excellent raw material for starch production. This property also determines the fact that Lorkh quickly boils down during cooking. Therefore, these potatoes are great for making purees, mashed soups and baking.

One of the diseases that the Lorkh variety is prone to is cancer, although it is harmless to humans, it makes the tubers unsuitable for eating.

Growing potato varieties Lorkh

The increased plasticity of the variety makes it as unpretentious as possible in terms of soil and climate, however, the harvest can suffer with low soil moisture and a lack of phosphorus and potassium in the soil. Sprouted potatoes are planted to a depth of about 8 cm. Note that this variety does not react well if the tubers are planted cut into pieces in order to save money. With this planting, the yield will be less, and the potatoes themselves will be smaller.

The peculiarity of Lorkh is that when planting, the tubers are laid with shoots down, which allows you to form more lush bushes that will receive more light. As for the landing time, it is usually the beginning of May. In general, agronomists advise planting tubers when the soil warms up to 6-8 degrees Celsius at a depth of 10 cm, otherwise the seedlings of the planted plant can be very delayed. According to folklore, tubers should be planted when the first leaves bloom on the birch.

According to folk signs, it is believed that the appearance of leaves on a birch is one of the signs that potatoes can already be planted

Plant Lorkh on level and open soil, since the presence of a strong shade can cause the plant to stretch and impair flowering. Although it produces good yields on a wide variety of soil types, it does not like too dense, clayey soil, which deprives its roots of access to oxygen. You will get the best results by cultivating potatoes in sandy loam and light loam. If the soil moisture is too high, the tubers can rot.

Before planting Lorkh potatoes, standard preparatory procedures are carried out:

• in the fall, the garden is dug to a depth of 30 cm, having previously cleared the remains of all plants;
• in the spring, the soil is dug up again, but no deeper than 15 cm;
• immediately before planting the tubers, the soil is fertilized with nitrogenous fertilizers, calculating the dosage according to the instructions.

Features of seed preparation:

• choose tubers weighing about 80 g, without external defects and signs of disease;
• wash them and soak in a pinkish manganese solution for 30 minutes;
• kurtofelins are laid out in one row in low boxes or on shelves, leaving so until sprouts appear;
• periodically, the tubers should be sprayed with water, at the same time inspecting for damage.

Optimal conditions for the germination of eyes are a temperature of 10-12 degrees Celsius and diffused light. Tubers can be planted when the sprouts are at least 1 cm in length. The distance between plants should be about 35 cm, between rows - 70 cm.

Sprouted tubers can be planted when the length of the sprouts reaches 1 cm or more.

Reviews

Lorkh potatoes are incredibly tasty and unpretentious to grow, which makes them an excellent option for domestic and industrial farming. Fortunately, these days it will not be difficult to purchase its seed material and start planting. Now you just have to take care of him and wait for the first shoots!