Purple potatoes: useful properties, description of varieties with photos

To surprise today with something unusual is very difficult. Purple potatoes are an exception. This is justified by the fact that after heat treatment, the color of its pulp does not change.

How the selection took place

This species was obtained by crossing the common potato variety with the American Relative. Do not be afraid that it is modified. He first appeared in America, then in Russia.

Siberian Research Institute of Russia, also engaged in breeding potatoes with purple flesh. It turned out several variations, the color of which ranges from pink to dark purple. Sometimes there are shades of purple

Main Views

The characteristic of the potato is slightly different from the usual varieties with standard color. In addition, different varieties have different properties from each other. Distinctive features common to all are:

1. The color of the pulp, it remains the same even after processing.
2. The shape of the vegetable is elongated-oblong.
3. High content of nutrients in the composition of tubers.
4. Because of the thick skin it keeps for a very long time.

Two potatoes contain as much vitamin C as 1 lemon.

Root composition

As the description shows, potatoes are rich in ingredients:

• Vitamins: A, B, C, E, H, PP and others.
• Macronutrients: Potassium, Chlorine, Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium and others.
• Microelements: Iodine, Lithium, Fluorine, Chromium and many others.
• Starch.
• Sucrose.
• Glucose.
• Fructose.
• Acids.
• Amino acids.

For 100 gr. potato varieties accounted for: 2 gr. proteins, 16 gr. carbohydrates, 0.4 gr. fat.

Varieties

The intermediate result is about 120 potato samples. The main varieties common throughout the world are:

• "All blue". Its flesh is not blue, but more blue-violet. The skin and pulp are separated by a white ring. It reaches full maturity in 80 days. The tuber weighs 200 gr. Basically, during heat treatment, the color is preserved. It only becomes paler when boiled.
• "Explosion". The color of the pulp and peel is the same, has a blue tint. The tubers of the variety are considered precocious. Mass of potatoes 120 gr. Very productive and immune to diseases.
• "Lilac". Ready for use in 95 days. The weight of tubers is about 80 gr., It is perfectly stored. Pulp and skin of the same shade. Lilac miracle of selection.
• "Peruvian Purple". Breeders worked on its breeding for 200 years. Considered a late species. Maturity occurs in 100-110 days. Weight 80 gr.
• "Adirondack Blue". Potato weighs 100 grams, ripens in 95 days.
• Witelot. It is very popular with many summer residents, has the second name "Negress". The weight of one tuber, on average, is 70-100 gr. Color with a hint of blue and purple. Ripening period 110 days. Keeps for a long time.

Summer residents refer to all varieties simply as blue potatoes. To make it clear what is being said. The beneficial properties of tubers are not disputed by anyone, but on the contrary, they are only praised.

To whom its use is indicated and contraindicated

To understand this, it is necessary to consider in detail the beneficial properties of potatoes

1. Reducing pressure. Good for those who suffer from hypertension and bad for those with hypotension.
2. Antioxidants. Their presence in large quantities slows down the aging process.
3. Of the many vitamins found in purple potatoes, E and C are the most important for humans.
4. Strengthening vision. Good for nearsighted people. Slows down the development of cataracts and glaucoma.
5. Digestive system. Helps to remove toxins from the body. Normalizes stool, relieves abdominal pain.
6. Vessels and heart. Purifying from toxins, potatoes reduce the risk of blood clots. Accordingly, it reduces the possibility of developing a heart attack and stroke.
7. Immune support. Helps to absorb iron and raises hemoglobin thanks to folic acid.

Restrict consumption of the product is recommended for those who have:

• High sugar.
• Constipation.
• Obesity.
• Low blood pressure.
• Gastritis.

For each person, the benefits and harms are calculated individually, depending on the state of he alth. In any case, purple potatoes can be eaten, but at the same time, carefully monitor your well-being.

Growing potatoes

Purple-fleshed potatoes are harder to grow on your own than regular varieties. The main problems encountered in the cultivation process:

1. Susceptibility to late blight and scab.
2. Insect pest attacks. The purple potato variety is more susceptible to attacks by Colorado potato beetles.
3. It is better not to propagate with eyes. Because the tubers are getting smaller.

Otherwise, everything is the same as with ordinary types of culture. Timely watering, fertilizing, hilling and pest control.

How to prepare the soil for planting

First you need to choose a place for a bed. Purple potatoes love lighting, it is best to choose a site on the south side. It is demanding on the composition of the soil, the following types of soils are suitable:

• Floodplain.
• Sod-podzolic.
• Light loamy.
• Neutral sandy loam.

In order for the potato to take root and develop correctly in the future, the soil must be dug very deep in the fall. You can immediately apply fertilizer, potassium s alt (KS), superphosphate (S.) and humus (P).

For 1m^2:

• KS-15 gr.
• С-30 gr.
• P-0.5 kg.

It is better to leave the earth in clods, this will not give pests the opportunity to hide in depth. They will freeze.

After the soil warms up to + 5 ⁰С, you can re-dig and loosen the bed.

Planting and care

Before planting potatoes, a little wood ash is poured into the holes. Hole spacing 30 cm, depth 10 cm, row spacing 60 cm.

If you want an early harvest, purple potatoes are left to germinate in a warm room. The temperature must be at least +15⁰С. This should be done 3 weeks before planting in the ground. You can close the film, remove it only when the sprouts are about 10 cm.

Water required, abundant and frequent, mandatory periods:

• After germination.
• During bud set.
• After the flowers fall.

It is recommended to monitor the flow of moisture to the roots. Its excess contributes to the development of rot, and its deficiency leads to the death of the variety plant itself. The resulting crust must be loosened, the roots must breathe.

Weeding and treatment from insects and diseases should be carried out in a timely manner, the culture is sensitive to their development and attacks. The bushes may die. If there is no rain for a long time, it is recommended to irrigate the plantings.

The opinion of people who have tried growing purple potatoes

After studying the reviews of summer residents, you can understand what is special about growing potatoes, whether it is worth spending time planting them at all.

• Irina. I experienced strange feelings when I just held the tuber in my hands. I cleaned it, but the color of the pulp has not changed. Then I found out that it was not necessary to clean. In general, I was struck by the color of the finished dish.
• Faith. The first crop of potatoes was harvested. It turned out a bucket with 4 bushes. He considers this a good result. Since the planting material was small. We tried it in the microwave. The taste is ordinary, practically does not differ from the usual potato. It bloomed white, but the stems are purple. Recommends planting purple potatoes less often than the regular variety, about 7070.

Growing exotics on the site is not uncommon. But if it is also a useful product, then its importance increases several times.

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