Reference French carrot variety Carotel
Karotel is a carrot variety that has been successfully cultivated in Russia for a long time. High yields, resistance to diseases and excellent taste of root crops are just a small part of the advantages of the culture, thanks to which it has gained popularity among gardeners.
The content of the article
Description of the variety
Karotel is a table variety of carrots. Medium deep orange root vegetables have a high carotene content and a pleasant sweet taste.
Origin and development
In the 1970s, in France, as a result of breeding work to improve the characteristics of the crop, this variety was created. Later, on its basis, several more varieties of carrots were bred: Parisian carotel, Polar cranberry, Alenka and Carotel Select. They differ from the original in the shape, size and color of vegetables.
Reference! The variety is not included in the State Register of Russia.
Composition and useful properties
Karotel contains 10-13% beta-carotene, 6-8% sugar, vitamins K, PP, E, C, group B, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, iodine, fluorine.
Regular use of carrots removes harmful substances from the body, has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract, strengthens the immune system, improves skin condition and the functioning of the cardiovascular and visual systems, kidneys and liver.
Application features
Carrots are consumed fresh and added to various dishes. Vegetables are used for making juices, purees, baby and diet food.
Ripening period and yield
This is a mid-early variety: vegetables reach technical maturity 100–110 days after germination.
Under favorable climatic conditions and proper care, the marketable yield is 7-8 kg per 1 m2.
Disease resistance
The variety is resistant to most diseases typical for the culture. However, due to improper care, plants are exposed to rot and brown spots.
Specifications
This is a plant with a semi-spreading rosette and green, finely dissected leaves of medium length.
Root crops are smooth, cylindrical or conical in shape with blunt ends, covered with a reddish-orange skin. They reach a length of 14-15 cm, weigh about 60 g, but there are also specimens 20 cm long and weighing 120 g.
Orange crunchy pulp, delicate and sweet taste.
For which regions is it suitable
The variety is successfully grown in all regions of Russia, but it feels as comfortable as possible in regions with a temperate climate.
Main advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of Carotel carrots:
- high productivity;
- good transportability;
- attractive appearance and pleasant taste of root crops;
- resistance to cracking and major diseases;
- the possibility of winter landing;
- high content of carotene and vitamins;
- long-term storage.
No flaws were found in the variety.
Differences from other varieties
The main features of culture:
- resistance to flowering and shooting;
- uniform color of vegetables;
- good keeping quality.
Features of planting and growing
No specific conditions are required to grow this variety. Seeds are planted both in spring and autumn. At the same time, the basic rules of pre-planting preparation, crop rotation and selection of the optimal place on the site are observed.
Preparing for landing
The seeds are preliminarily placed in a refrigerator for 10 days, after which they are soaked in warm water for several hours, and then thoroughly dried.
The soil is prepared in the fall: it is cleaned of plant residues, dug up and applied complex mineral fertilizers. If the soil was not prepared in the fall, in the spring, 2 weeks before sowing, it is dug up to a depth of 20-25 cm and enriched with mineral fertilizers.
Reference! Carrots react poorly to organic compounds, and a high concentration of nitrogen in the soil impairs the taste of root crops.
Ground requirements
The soil should be loose and fertile, have good moisture permeability, aeration and weak or neutral acidity. The best option is sandy loam and loam.
Predecessors
The best predecessors of carrots: cabbage, potatoes, zucchini, green manure, greens, cucumbers. Do not plant a crop after other varieties of carrots, parsley and beans.
Terms and rules of landing
The optimal sowing time in spring is April, when the average daily air temperature will be + 15… + 18 ° C. Due to its high frost resistance, the variety is planted before winter, in October, before the onset of frost.
Sowing scheme:
- Beds are prepared on the site, maintaining a distance between rows of 25-30 cm. Landing furrows are made.
- Seeds are placed in them at a distance of 2 cm from each other, deepening by 0.5-1 cm.
- Cover the planting with polyethylene or non-woven material.
Growing features
The main nuances of carrot cultivation:
- choose a well-lit place for landing, which is under the sun for most of the day;
- carrots are not planted in lowlands where water accumulates, otherwise the roots will rot.
The nuances of care
Caring for carrots Carotel assumes the fulfillment of standard agrotechnical requirements: watering, fertilizing, soil care, prevention of the development of diseases and pest attacks.
Watering mode
When moistened, they are guided by the condition of the soil: as soon as the topsoil dries up, the plantings are watered. On average, this is done once every 7-10 days.
Water consumption per plant depends on its age. The main thing is that the soil is moistened 30 cm deep.
Important! The culture is irrigated regularly: prolonged drought or frequent and abundant watering leads to deformation of root crops.
Thinning and weed control
If necessary, after the emergence of seedlings, their thin out so that the distance between the plants is 2-3 cm.
Weed the soil as the weeds grow, which are taken from the soil useful material and moisture, shade carrots.
Top dressing
Carrots are fertilized only after watering, twice a season:
- 20-30 days after emergence;
- 2 months later.
As top dressing use:
- nitrophosphate (1 tbsp. l. per 10 liters of water);
- wood ash (2 tbsp. per 10 liters of water);
- a solution of potassium nitrate (20 g), urea (15 g) and double superphosphate (15 g) per 10 liters of water.
Disease and pest control
Despite the immunity to the main diseases of carrots, prophylactic treatment of plantings with a solution of Bordeaux liquid or other fungicidal preparations will not hurt.
Among pests, carrot flies and flies most often attack the culture. For prevention, plants are sprayed with infusion of tomato tops or garlic. If insects have already appeared, the plantings are treated with insecticides ("Inta-Virom", "Aktellikom").
Harvesting and storage
To make sure that the harvest is ripe, several root crops are removed from the ground. If they have reached a varietal condition in size and acquired a reddish-orange color, vegetables are dug up.
How and when to collect
The crop is harvested on a warm, dry day, about 100-110 days after planting.Carrots are dug in with a pitchfork or a shovel, or they are carefully pulled out of the ground, holding them by the tops.
Storage features and keeping quality
The collected roots are cleaned from the ground, the tops are cut off from them, dried 2-12 hours in the sun or under a canopy.
Carrots are stored in a dark room at an air temperature of 0 ... + 2 ° C and a humidity of 90–95%. In such conditions, vegetables do not lose their qualities throughout the winter.
Reference! To increase the shelf life, carrots are placed in boxes, having previously rolled in a clay mash or sprinkled with a mixture of sand and slaked lime.
Growing difficulties
The main problems that farmers face when cultivating this variety:
- the appearance of spots of bronze color on the tops of plants - signs of attack by carrot flies;
- drying and death of seedlings is the result of damage by leaf beetles;
- decay of plants is a consequence of excessive watering.
Tips from experienced gardeners
Experienced vegetable growers recommend:
- Create favorable temperature conditions for germination for seeds, use a covering material if necessary. The minimum permissible temperature indicator is + 4… + 6 ° C, the optimum is + 18… + 25 ° C.
- Gently loosen the soil a day after each watering: this will not allow a dry crust to form on the soil surface and will improve its moisture and air permeability.
Reviews
Farmers who have tried to grow the Karotel variety speak positively about it.
Maria, Tula region: “I am 100% sure of this variety. I know that whatever the weather, I will still get a rich harvest. Moreover, all the roots are always smooth, beautiful and, of course, delicious. So sweet and juicy that even children love them. We eat them fresh and add them everywhere. Even juice we make carrot from Karoteli ”.
Evgeniy, Bryansk: “What I like about this variety is its constancy: not once in almost 10 years, during which I have been planting it, has there been such a thing that the carrots did not give birth. Vegetables are always tasty and juicy, so I definitely don't plan to experiment and plant something else. "
Olga, Moscow: “A very long time ago this variety was recommended to me by a neighbor in the country. I bought a bag of seeds on her recommendation and did not even expect that from then on I would stop looking for something else. Karotel suits everything: it is both fruitful and tasty, and requires minimal maintenance. I did not find any shortcomings. "
Conclusion
Karotel is a table carrot variety, which differs from other plants in a mass of positive characteristics and lack of disadvantages. The universal use of root crops, pleasant taste, excellent marketability and long shelf life allow you to grow a crop not only for yourself, but also for sale.