Riviera potatoes: description and characteristics of the variety, growing rules with photo

The Riviera potato was obtained by crossing the famous Dutch varieties - Minerva and Alcmaria. The Agrico holding is considered the patented seed producer. Since 2013, the variety has been included in the State Register and began to be cultivated in Russia. Due to its positive qualities, culture has gained great popularity not only in the southern regions, but also in such regions as: Moscow region, Siberia, North Caucasus.

Variety description

The Riviera potato variety belongs to ultra-early, high-yielding tuber crops.The first ripening of fruits begins on the 40th day after the germination of sprouts. Mass collection and full return of the crop falls on the 80th day after planting. According to recorded data, the total yield of the variety is more than 300 kg per 100 square meters. m.

Detailed variety description:

1. Plant. The Riviera bush is quite tall, its height reaches 1 meter. The plant is upright, with strong stems. The leaves are large, deep green, wavy on the sides. During the growing season, red-violet flowers form on the brush. The root system is powerful, well developed.
2. Tubers. Riviera potatoes have an attractive oval shape. The skin is slightly rough, dense, light yellow in color. Eyes with shallow bedding. The fruits are even. The pulp is granular, beige. On average, 15 fruits are formed in 1 hole, the weight of which varies from 100 to 170 g.

Worth a look! If the Riviera variety is grown in greenhouse conditions, 2 crops can be harvested in one season.

Fruit characteristics

Practically all Riviera potato tubers have an attractive marketable appearance, which ranges from 85 to 95%.

Consumer characteristics of tubers:

• taste - 4.8 on a 5 point scale;
• starch content - 12-18%;
• solids content - 18.7%;
• appointment - canteen.

Features of the Riviera variety are that its fruits are endowed with high resistance to mechanical damage. During long-distance transportation, the potatoes have a whole marketable appearance without blackening of the pulp. Subject to the temperature regime of +4 degrees, the keeping quality of potatoes is 94%.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Like any fruit crop, the Riviera potato has its advantages and disadvantages. Consider all the qualities of a variety that may affect the choice.

Pros:

• high and early yield;
• good consumer qualities;
• long shelf life;
• good transportation;
• potato cancer immunity;
• resistance to many viral and fungal infections.

The advantages of the variety also include good resistance to drought. Even with a rather dry summer, the Riviera potato yields high yields.

There are no special shortcomings in the variety, the only negative is poor resistance to late blight.

Agrotechnics and rules for growing varieties

In order to shorten the growing season without losing the quality and quantity of yields, when growing the Riviera variety, you will need to perform certain agricultural practices. In fact, it is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. To complete it, it will be enough to follow the sequence below.

Selection and storage of planting material

As gardeners' reviews have shown, it is better to select planting material immediately after harvest. To do this, he althy, intact fruits weighing from 40 to 70 g are selected from all tubers.

Important: Many novice gardeners believe that the greater the weight of planting material, the higher the yield at exit. In fact, this opinion is erroneous. In one bush, from a large potato, 2 times fewer fruits are formed than from an average tuber.

Having collected selected planting material, he is given time to lie down for 2 weeks in a well-ventilated and lit place. In this case, the potato peel will harden well before storage, and minor scratches will heal. Further, the tubers are moved to the cellar until spring. The optimal temperature for storing planting material is +2-4 degrees, air humidity is 70%.

Tuber preparation

1.5 months before the proposed planting, potato tubers are taken out of the cellar. Planting material is moved from rotten and damaged fruits. Then selected potatoes are germinated and dressed.

Tuber sprouting methods:

1. Light germination. This method is considered the most common. When using it, it will be enough to spread the tubers in a well-lit place and maintain an optimum temperature of 20 degrees.At the same time, it is recommended to periodically turn the potatoes over during the month, creating uniform illumination for them.
2. Mini greenhouse germination. For this method, plastic bags are used, in which holes are made up to 10 pieces. Then up to 10 potato tubers are placed in them. Seed bags are tied and hung from the ceiling of a bright room. In this case, you need to choose a place so that direct sunlight does not fall on it.

When sprouts appear on the tubers and they are ready for planting, it is recommended to pickle them from various diseases. To do this, first the potatoes are sprayed with water, and a day later they are treated with a disinfectant solution consisting of water, formalin and vitriol.

Preparing the site for planting

The highest Riviera yields were recorded when potatoes were grown in fertile, light soil. It is desirable that the area with such soil be well lit from all sides and be protected from the north wind.

Before planting, it is recommended to dig the selected area well, while removing all weeds and their rhizomes. It is desirable to add organic matter to the prepared soil. The best fertilizer is rotted manure.

Rules for planting tubers

When the regular air temperature reaches 20 degrees, and the soil at a depth of 10 cm warms up to 10-15 degrees, it will be possible to start planting tubers. To date, there are several methods for planting potatoes. Feedback from gardeners suggests that it is rational to use the traditional method. This is justified by the fact that it is simpler and does not take up much free time, which is so convenient if the cottage is located far from home.

Description of Riviera potato planting:

1. Ridges are formed in the area from north to south, with a sustained distance of 70 cm from each other.
2. Every 30 cm, holes are dug on the ridges, about 10 cm deep.
3. One handful of ash is added to each hole.
4. One potato tuber is placed in the hole and covered with soil.

After the planting, the soil in the beds must be leveled with a rake.

Agriculture after planting

Riviera potatoes do not require special care during growth. But still, a competent approach will have a positive effect on the quality of the crop.

Basic care includes:

1. Water. The Riviera variety is undemanding to frequent watering, irrigation will be sufficient only during a long drought.
2. Loosening. This shallow tillage is recommended during times of drought or heavy rains.
3. Hilling. This procedure helps to stimulate the growth and development of tubers. It is carried out twice. The first hilling is carried out when the bush reaches a height of 15 cm, the second - at an interval of 3 weeks.
4. Feeding. Riviera responds well to complex fertilizers. Mineral and nitrogen supplements are usually applied during the hilling of bushes.

When growing potatoes, do not forget about pest control. At the first sign of the appearance of insects, potato bushes must be treated with special chemicals.

Despite the fact that the Riviera potato variety appeared in Russia not so long ago, it has already gained great popularity among gardeners. Early yield and the taste of beautiful fruits will appeal to any gourmet. And the simplicity in agricultural technology will allow even lazy summer residents to breed a variety.

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