Rocco potatoes

In this article, we will characterize Rocco's potatoes: we will give its description, indicate the main parameters, and tell you how to plant potatoes of this variety - from the preparation of the planting material and the site, ending with the planting itself. You will also learn how to further care for the Rocco potato variety, how to deal with diseases and pests, and how to store it after harvesting.

Rocco potatoes: variety description and characteristics

Rocco potatoes: photo of the variety

It is impossible to imagine more than one vegetable garden without such a root crop as potatoes, which is one of the most popular crops. Gardeners love to “measure” their harvest and its taste and quality characteristics, and in order to have something to “measure” they experiment and choose more fruitful, tasty, high-quality varieties. In this article, we will introduce you to Rocco potatoes.
The Rocco potato variety was bred by Dutch breeders; Rocco potatoes appeared in the state register of Russian varieties in 2002.
Bushes of this variety are of medium height, half erect, green foliage, medium size. Rocco's potatoes bloom in large red-violet inflorescences.
The tubers are large, have an oval-round shape, the skin is smooth red, and the flesh is creamy.
The length of time between planting until the tubers are fully ripe is 80-95 days.

Rocco potatoes: taste

Breeders promise, with proper cultivation, the yield indicator is 13 - 26 tons per hectare of land. In one nest, an average of 12 tubers grow, each weighing from 75-125 grams.
Rocco potatoes have good taste characteristics, have a table purpose, are perfect for preparing any dishes, they do not fall apart and do not darken during heat treatment. The pulp is not watery, crumbly with pleasant external characteristics. The starch level in potatoes is 13-14%.
Rocco potatoes also have high indicators of keeping quality of potatoes and marketability, amounting to 90% and 96%, respectively.

Rocco potatoes: photo of the variety

How to grow the Rocco potato variety?

Rocco's potatoes are not whimsical, they will require no more time than the average potato variety. To grow it, you will need to make some agrotechnical manipulations.

How to choose the right place

When choosing a site for Rocco potatoes, stop your choice in a sunny place, since the variety prefers to be in the sun rather than darkened, this will affect the harvest.
Be sure to maintain a crop rotation, remember that the best precursors for potatoes are legumes, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, onions, but by no means nightshades.

Soil requirements

For growing potatoes of the Rocco variety, loose fertile soils are ideal; they will feel great in sandy loam soil and in light loams. But pay attention that on other soils the yield will be good, perhaps a little less.
The soil should not be acidic, if, nevertheless, it is such, then we must use dolomite flour.
It is recommended to prepare the site for Rocco potatoes in the fall. To do this, it is imperative to get rid of weeds, apply fertilizer and dig up or plow the land. Rocco potatoes respond well to organic fertilizers such as manure.

Rocco potato variety: planting dates

Rocco potatoes are planted, depending on the region, on average, this is the end of April-beginning of May, it is necessary that the soil warms up to at least +10 degrees, and the risk of spring frosts is minimized.

How to prepare tubers before planting

Before planting, Rocco seed potatoes need some preparation:

• to begin with, it is sorted out, while rotten and deformed, low-quality planting material is discarded, we choose only strong, healthy roots;
• after which the potatoes are necessarily germinated in order to speed up the germination process, and this, in turn, will have a beneficial effect on the yield indicator. It is recommended to germinate potatoes in a bright, warm place (you can cover it with a blanket), we wait until the potatoes turn green and sprouts appear;
• further, in order to avoid contamination of potatoes with fungal and other infections, as well as to avoid pest attacks, sprouted root crops are strongly recommended to be disinfected, this can be done with a solution of potassium permanganate, Bordeaux liquid or special preparations, and also pay attention to drugs that stimulate the growth of potatoes.

After the soil has warmed up, the site is prepared, the potatoes have sprouted - we proceed to planting.
The planting scheme for this variety is the same as for other varieties. We plant potatoes in holes, the depth of which is about 10 cm (if the soil is loose) or 5 cm (if the soil is heavy). The distance between the planting material is at least 28 cm, and the distance between the rows is about 75 cm, this will allow air to circulate and not prevent the sun's rays from entering the neighboring bushes.
Seed material must be placed in the holes very carefully so as not to damage the sprouts. Ash can be added to each well if desired.
After the potatoes are laid out, the holes are covered with earth.

How to care for seedlings

In care, the Rocco potato variety is absolutely unpretentious, which is often very captivating for gardeners. You will need to make the simplest manipulations for caring for potatoes:

• this variety, as mentioned earlier, is not afraid of either drought or rain. But if the summer turned out to be dry, provide the potatoes with regular watering, especially during the flowering period, without allowing the land to dry out, this will certainly affect the harvest. But also do not allow waterlogging, as this can lead to the development of diseases;
• do not forget about feeding, potatoes react very favorably to it. It is recommended to water with a solution of mullein with chicken droppings, or use saltpeter;
• one of the most important potato care activities is hilling. It must be carried out a couple of times a season, this is done in order to protect the seedlings from temperature drops, as well as to allow air, nutrients and moisture to reach the root system, as well as to maintain the tops and to fight weeds.

Fight against possible diseases, pests

Rocco potatoes have a high resistance to diseases and pests, but if the rules of cultivation and care are not followed, the root crop can get sick with late blight.
Late blight is a dangerous fungal disease caused by the late blight fungus, which can lead to the death of potatoes. Often this disease occurs when the soil is waterlogged. When the first signs are found, the plants should be treated with fungicides.
As noted by gardeners, the Colorado is not a fan of this variety, but in any case, preventative measures should not be neglected.
It is always better to prevent disease and pest attacks by treating the seed material before planting with specialized preparations than to fight diseases and pests - which does not always end well.

Rocco potatoes: variety storage

Rocco potatoes: photo of the variety

After harvesting, the roots must be thoroughly dried; this can be done in a well-ventilated area or in the sun.
After the potatoes have dried, they are placed in well-ventilated containers (boxes, bags, baskets), and stored in a dark, cool place, a basement and cellar are ideal for this.
Rocco potatoes are stored very well and are also not afraid of transportation.

Following the simple recommendations indicated in the article, you will definitely get a fruitful, tasty, healthy, high-quality harvest of Rocco potatoes, which you will enjoy for a long time.

Rocco potatoes: video about the variety

Rocco potatoes: gardeners reviews

• Ekaterina Valentinovna, Moscow region: “Rocco's potatoes have been growing for a long time. I like the variety because of its pleasant taste. There are other potato varieties in the garden. But only the harvest of Rocco's potatoes is universal for use in various dishes. "
• Anastasia Petrovna, Samara region: “Rocco's potatoes are a very brave variety. He is not afraid of either drought or heavy rains. Feels great in any abnormal weather. And since our summer is always unpredictable, Rocco's potato variety is perfect for me. "
• Vitaly Alexandrovich, Leningrad region: “Unfortunately, my potato Rocco was struck by late blight this summer. But here I myself am to blame, I did not pay due attention to cultivation, although I knew that this variety has a low immunity to disease. Otherwise, the Rocco potato variety suits me perfectly. Both the taste and the yield of Rocco's potatoes are at a very high level. "