Purple carrots: useful properties, description and cultivation features with photos

Purple carrots are not a frill or a game of breeders. Since ancient times, a purple-colored vegetable has been used for medicinal purposes. Now purple varieties are bred along with the regular ones.

Purple hue carrots are characterized by a high content of vitamins, macro and microelements. It contains vitamins B, C, E, K, PP, A, beta-carotene. Sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine, calcium and other useful elements are also present.

Despite the beneficial properties of root crops, they are not recommended to be consumed fresh by patients suffering from gastritis, pancreatitis, colitis and enterocolitis.

Healing Features

Purple carrots are high in anthocyanins, which have powerful antioxidant effects. With the regular use of root crops, there is a positive effect on the human body in several ways.

Anti-cancer effect. The anthocyanins found in purple carrots are inhibitors of colon cancer cells. Also, the antitumor effect is the high content of carotenoids in fruits.
Anti-inflammatory effect. Anthocyanins help fight inflammation, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
Strengthening blood vessels. The use of carrots has a positive effect on the state of blood vessels. The vegetable helps to strengthen the walls, prevent venous insufficiency, varicose veins.
Improve vision. Purple vegetable has a positive effect on vision.Regular use of the root crop improves the quality of vision at night, stimulates blood circulation in the eyeball, and reduces the risk of blindness in patients with diabetes. The presence of lutein also improves vision.
Use in cosmetology. Carrots contain calcium in an easily digestible form. It has a positive effect on the condition of hair, nail plates, teeth, skin. The root crop is useful not only for eating, but also when used in cosmetic procedures. Lotions, masks, lotions are made with its content.
Increase in potency. Carrots are classified as aphrodisiacs. Its use increases male potency, increases desire, and cures sexual dysfunction.

In addition to the above directions, the use of purple carrots helps to reduce blood pressure, normalize cholesterol levels, and strengthen the kidneys. In some cases, the vegetable is used to treat a prolonged cough.

Varieties of varieties

Purple carrots have high nutritional value and undeniable medicinal properties. Despite its benefits, this type of root crop has not yet become widespread among gardeners. For this reason, it is difficult to find a variety of varieties on the market.

Specialists identify a number of species that are cultivated in different regions of the country and which have shown good characteristics in terms of yield and growth.

Purple haze f1. The hybrid has a dark purple color. The inside of the root crop is colored orange. The variety belongs to the category of early maturing. Technical maturation occurs 70 days after planting in the ground. Violet haze is resistant to many types of diseases. Root crops grow up to 30 centimeters long.
Purple dragon. The variety is recognized as exquisite. It has a pleasant sweet taste with spicy notes. The outer part of the root crop has a purple-red hue, the inner one is orange-yellow. The length of the carrot reaches 25 centimeters.
Rainbow mix. This species belongs to the category of colored carrots. Its fruits can have a shade from orange to deep purple. Root crops are cylindrical in shape. The length reaches 18 centimeters.
Dragon. The variety has a sweet taste. Its value lies in the high content of vitamins of group A and beta-carotene. The fruits have a bright purple color on the outside, in the core - an orange tint.
Cosmic Purple. The hybrid has a high rate of fruit ripening. It got its name for the bright purple color on the outside. The core of the root crops is the usual orange hue. The taste of carrots is rich, sweet. Fruits reach a length of 20 centimeters.

You can also find a number of lesser-known hybrids on the market. Experts recommend purchasing seeds from large manufacturers or in specialized garden centers. In this way, the quality of the seed can be guaranteed.

Features of agricultural technology

Purple carrots are easy to grow and care for. Features of agricultural technology for purple varieties are similar to the care of ordinary types of root crops.

Predecessors. The optimal predecessors for carrots are potatoes, onions, cucumbers.
Soil preparation. Land for carrots should be well cultivated, contain a high amount of fertilizer.
Sowing and caring for seedlings. Seeds are pre-soaked. This helps them grow. Seeds are distributed over the ridges in rows with an interval of 1-2 centimeters. Row spacing is done through 10-15 centimeters. With thickened plantings, the first thinning is carried out after the appearance of 1-2 true leaves. Large seedlings are left at a distance of at least 2 centimeters from each other.
Water. Watering is carried out in the evening. Water should be completely absorbed into the ground, without the formation of puddles and stagnation.
Feeding. Carrots require at least 2 dressings per season. For the first time, ammonium nitrate is used. Top dressing is carried out in the phase of 3-4 leaves. The second time they are fed after the final thinning with superphosphate fertilizers.

Purple carrots have lower yields. At the same time, it is distinguished by good seed germination and high resistance to diseases and pests. The sizes of root crops in a mature state are smaller. Their length rarely reaches 30 centimeters. Average 20-25.