Kiwi potato variety is one of the rarest, which is distinguished by the unusual shape of root crops and the net structure of the peel. This variety is not often found in stores and on the shelves of the CIS countries, so most of the gardeners with him little known. Nevertheless, many agronomists love Kiwi potatoes for its ruggedness in agricultural technology and exceptional yield. So, from one potato bush can collect about half a bucket of root crops. Below is a description of the variety of potatoes Qiwi, as well as the basic principles of its cultivation.
Did you know? The variety was named Kiwi due to the specific net and hairy structure of the peel and the round shape of the fruit, which makes the vegetable look like an exotic kiwi fruit. The variety was bred by amateur breeders in the city of Zhuk, Kaluga Region, Russia.
Kiwi Potatoes: GMO or not?
Many amateur gardeners consider the Kiwi variety to be Belarusian, since it appeared simultaneously with the Lasok, Temp and Belarusian-3 varieties. However, these are just rumors, and, in fact, they are completely different varieties. Due to the fact that there is little information about Kiwi potatoes, some gardeners are still arguing about whether this vegetable is safe and whether it is a GMO - a genetically modified organism. There is an opinion that once a variety is not damaged by the Colorado potato beetle, it means that a bacterium-enemy of this insect has been introduced into its gene. However, this technology is considered long outdated.
The reason that the Colorado potato beetle does not attack the Qiwi variety is the presence of bio-cellulose in its composition (vegetable protein that frightens off the pest), which hit the leaves of the plant using the usual crossing method. And the increased hairiness of the peel indicates the result of traditional breeding and biological crossing, and not interference with the gene structure. Therefore, Kiwi potatoes are considered a safe variety.
Kiwi potatoes: characteristics and description of the variety
Kiwi variety is one of the best potato varieties in terms of yield. Late variety, its ripening period - up to 120 days, depending on climatic and weather conditions. The degree of moisture has a great influence: in the same region, with the same planting, the time of ripening may differ. 
Potato bushes are high, can reach 40-80 cm. The stem is straight, with a large number of multi-leaved branches. The leaves are rough, hairy, emerald green in color, with serrated edges. The inflorescences of potatoes are bright lilac. Kiwi potato tubers are an unusual, elongated shape, with rounded edges and a mesh skin. To touch the roots are very rough, the skin is thin. The flesh is snow-white, with an amber shade, is very dense and requires a longer heat treatment than other varieties. Potato varieties Qiwi has another distinctive characteristic - its tubers always grow large or medium, small does not happen.
Features planting varieties of potatoes Kiwi
Planting varieties of Kiwi can be the traditional way, like all other varieties. However, there are planting techniques that allow you to get the maximum yield. For example, agronomists recommend planting a crop in the Dutch way. For Kiwi potatoes, it provides the principles of planting described below.
Landing dates
Planting time for the regions of the temperate climate zone - the end of April - the beginning of May. It is optimal when the ground warms up to + 7 ... +9 ° C at a depth of about 10-12 cm and when frosts are no longer scary, since they are detrimental to the future harvest.
Landing rules: place, scheme, technology
The peculiarity of this variety is also in the fact that it is not planted with seeds: the optimum planting material for Kiwi potatoes is germinated tubers. Culture prefers sunny, well-warmed places and fertile soils, which directly affect the amount of crop. The most actively growing potatoes on sandy soils, which should be prepared for planting in September. To do this, the top layer of land is plowed to a depth of 18 cm, after which manure is applied. Perfect for feeding phosphorus and potassium. In order for the potatoes to be more rich, you can use nitrogen fertilizers. The first time they are made in the fall, and the second - in early May. Before planting, the soil should be freed from weeds and re-loosening. The scheme of planting potatoes Qiwi in the Dutch way provides for such features:
- two adjacent rows of potatoes - gap - two rows - gap. The distance between the beds should be at least 70 cm. This is necessary in order to ensure the permeability of small garden care equipment.
- the distance between planting tubers should be at least 30 cm;
- Planted tubers do not spud, and covered with earth from both sides.
Important! The depth of planting tubers depends on the type of soil. In loamy, it will be sufficient to deepen the planting material by 5–8 cm, in sod and podzolic - you need at least 10 cm. The depth is calculated from the surface of the planting material to the top of the ridge.
How to grow potatoes varieties of Kiwi: peculiarities of care
Potato Kiwi is quite unpretentious in growing. Therefore, every amateur gardener will be able to cultivate this variety in his own plot. For the entire growing season, the beds are watered three times. Also conduct periodic soil loosening and weeding. Fertilizing with liquid mineral fertilizers is carried out three times: for the first time at the beginning of summer, the second and third - with an interval of ten days.
Variety resistance to diseases and pests
Kiwi potatoes have another distinctive feature in the description of the variety - resistance to pests. The Colorado potato beetle and the wireworm almost never attack the young leaves and shoots of potatoes. As mentioned above, the first reason for this is the presence in the leaves of this variety of bio-cellulose, which is not digested by pests. The second reason is that the Kiwi variety has very hard and rough hairy leaves, which scares off insects and makes it impossible to lay their eggs. In addition, this variety is not affected by late blight, scab, macrosporosis and other similar viral diseases.
Kiwi Potatoes: Harvesting
The value of the variety is its high yield, which is 20 kg with 1 kg of planting tubers. Since Kiwi potatoes are late-ripened, harvesting is usually carried out in late September - early October. Dried tops of potatoes - a sign that it is time to harvest. Also, to find out if the roots have ripened, you can dig up one bush for inspection. All excavated potatoes are first dried, then taken, removed if necessary rotten and sent to a cellar or other cool place for storage.
Thus, due to the exceptional characteristics of the variety description, Kiwi potatoes received a lot of positive feedback from gardeners who constantly grow it on their plots. With all its advantages, Kiwi potatoes still have a high degree of keeping quality and are stored for a long time without losing their original shape and taste.
