Ratte potatoes are unique fingerling potatoes that you’ll love if you’re looking for something new to try. These nutty-tasting potatoes are a favorite among chefs and gardeners alike.
Their small size and early harvest make these potatoes perfect for home gardens. Read on to learn more about this beautiful variety of potatoes.
What Is Ratte Potato?
The Ratte is a type of potato that is small and elongated, with smooth skin. It has a slightly sweet taste and is often used in salads or as a side dish. It is easy to grow and yield a good harvest.
Ratte Potato Care
The most important thing to remember is that they require a lot of care and attention when it comes to La Ratte potatoes. These potatoes are very delicate and can quickly become diseased or even die if not cared for properly. Here are some tips on how to care for this potato variety:
– Water Requirements
These potatoes have high water content stored in them. This means that they require more water than other types of potatoes when grown. Due to the latter, ensuring that your potato plants have access to plenty of water is essential. Irrigate them regularly and deeply to ensure healthy growth.
– Light Requirements
To ensure your potato plants get the right amount of light, they should be grown in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. You can supplement your plants’ light requirements in a room with limited sunlight by using grow lights. Use the grow lights to provide direct light to the plants.
– Soil Requirements
Regarding growing these potatoes, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding soil requirements. This potato prefers well-drained, loose soils that are high in organic matter. The ideal pH range is between 5.0 and 7.0. If the soil is too acidic or even too alkaline, it can impact the flavor of the potato.
– Temperature Requirements
This potato plant prefers cool temperatures and does not tolerate heat well. The ideal temperature range for growing these potatoes is 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too hot, the plants will start to produce small, misshapen potatoes.
To ensure that your potato plants thrive, monitoring the temperature and staying within the ideal range is crucial. A way to do this is to use a soil thermometer. You can also place your plants in an area protected from the sun and heat. If the temperature gets too cold, you can use a row cover to insulate your plants.
– Humidity Requirements
It requires a humid environment for optimal growth. The ideal humidity level for this potato plant is between 60 to 70 percent. If the humidity level drops below 60 percent, the plant will experience drought stress.
Drought stress can cause the leaves of this potato plant to turn yellow and drop off. If the humidity level rises above 70 percent, the plant will experience leaf wetness. Leaf wetness can cause the plant leaves to turn brown and drop off.
– Fertilizing Requirements
These potatoes are known for their high yields and disease resistance. Regarding fertilizing, potatoes require less fertilizer than other types of potatoes. This is because potatoes have a higher nitrogen-use efficiency than different types. However, these potatoes still need to be fertilized to produce high yields. The best time to fertilize is in the spring before the plants begin to grow.
When fertilizing these potatoes, it is vital to use a high nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for potato plants and helps promote growth. However, too much nitrogen would be harmful to potatoes. Following the manufacturer’s instructions when applying fertilizer to these potatoes is essential.
Harvesting
It is a variety of potato that is native to France. It is known for its small size, delicate flavor, and high starch content. These potatoes are typically harvested in the fall, after the first frost. They can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to four months.
– How to Harvest
There are two ways to harvest these potatoes, manual and machine harvesting. Manual harvesting is done by hand, using a spading fork or shovel. First, loosen the soil around the potato plant, careful not to damage the roots. Then, gently lift the plant out of the ground, along with the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a crate or basket, and repeat the process until all the potatoes have been harvested.
Machine harvesting is done using a special potato digger. This machine loosens the soil around the potato plant and digs up the potatoes, depositing them into a crate or basket. Machine harvesting is much faster than manual harvesting but can damage the potatoes if not done carefully.
– How to Store
Once the potatoes have been harvested, they must be stored properly to prevent them from spoiling. The ideal way to keep potatoes is in a cool, dark place with good ventilation. A basement or root cellar is perfect. You can also store potatoes in a fridge, but this will cause them to become soft and wrinkled.
If you plan to store your potatoes for over a few weeks, you must cure them first. Curing helps heal any cuts or bruises on the potatoes and helps them develop a protective coating that prevents them from spoiling. To fix potatoes, simply place them in a cool, dark place for two weeks before storing them.
You can store these potatoes for up to six months with proper care. Enjoy them roasted, mashed, or in any of your favorite potato recipes. Ratte potato seeds can also be saved for plantation.
Common Problems
Just like any other plant, this plant can experience several problems. These can include pests, diseases, and cultural or environmental issues. Here’s a look at some of the most common problems with these potato plants:
– Pests
One of the most common problems with this potato type is that they are susceptible to infestation by several pests. Chief among these are the Colorado potato beetle, the green peach aphid, and the potato psyllid. All three of these pests can cause severe damage to your potato plants, and all three are capable of causing potatoes to rot.
– Colorado Potato Beetle
The Colorado potato beetle is the most damaging of the three pests and is also the most difficult to control. This beetle attacks these plants’ leaves and potatoes and can quickly destroy a crop. The best way to control Colorado potato beetles is to use an insecticide designed to kill them.
– Green Peach Aphid
The green peach aphid is another severe pest of these potato plants. These aphids feed on the plant’s sap, and they can quickly cause the leaves to turn yellow and the potatoes to rot. You can control green peach aphids with insecticides, but they are difficult to control because they often develop resistance to the pesticides that are used to kill them.
– Potato Psyllid
The potato psyllid is the third major pest of these plants. This insect would feed on the sap of the plant, and it can cause the potatoes to rot. Potato psyllids can be controlled with insecticides, but they are difficult to control because they often develop resistance to the pesticides that are used to kill them. If you have a problem with potato psyllids, you may need to use a different insecticide to control them.
– Diseases
It is a plant known to be related to the nightshade family. This plant is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The plant is used for its tubers, which are starchy and nutritious. However, some diseases are commonly associated with this plant.
– Black Scurf
One of the most common diseases with these plants is black scurf. This disease is primarily caused by a fungus that attacks the potato’s tubers. The fungus causes the tubers to blacken and become covered in scabs. This can make the potato plants challenging to harvest.
– Fusarium Wilt
Another common disease with these potato plants is fusarium wilt. This disease is caused by a fungus that affects the plant’s leaves. The fungus causes the leaves to lose their color, turn yellow, and eventually die. This can make the potato plants challenging to grow.
– Blight
Blight is another common disease with these plants. This disease is caused by bacteria that attack the plant’s leaves. The bacteria cause the leaves to turn brown and eventually die. This can make the potato plants challenging to grow.
Despite these common problems, these potatoes can still be a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet. They can provide plenty of healthy potatoes to eat with proper care.
Conclusion
That’s all about growing, harvesting, and storing these yummy potatoes. Here are the key takeaways from the article:
- Ratte potatoes have high yields, resist disease well, and long shelf life.
- These are known for their thin skin and delicate flavor, which makes them perfect for roasting, boiling, or frying.
- They are relatively high-maintenance plants that do require some care to achieve the best results.
- Proper care during harvest will help ensure that these delicious tubers make it to your table.
- These are susceptible to certain pests and diseases; scout your plants regularly for worrisome signs, and take corrective action.
These nutty potato plants are perfect for growing in your garden, but ensure you harvest them at the right time to avoid common problems.
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