Karantan onion

Karantan leeks are well known to Russian gardeners. It was bred more than 60 years ago and has managed to establish itself as a versatile and reliable variety. Regularly ranks first in the rankings of the best leek varieties.

Karantansky is a classic leek variety. It has a long growing season, it tolerates cold well, and in regions with a mild climate it calmly remains under a small shelter until spring.

The variety was officially registered in 1961. Originators: agrofirm "Aelita", Chelyabinsk company LLC "Heterosis selection" and JSC "Sortsemovoshch" located in the Stavropol Territory.

The rosette is of medium height, up to 100 cm, moderately sparse. Spreading leaves, rather wide against the background of early varieties, dark green, seem lighter due to a strong wax coating, arranged in a lush fan. The leg is of medium length and thickness: height 15-25 cm, diameter 3 cm, sometimes up to 4-6 cm. The shape of the leg is cylindrical, even, with a slight thickening (false bulb) at the end. The mass of 1 plant is 204-325 g.

The taste is semi-sharp, delicate and refined. The variety is versatile. Looks great in fresh dishes: salads, appetizers, second and first courses. Suitable for canning and freezing on its own, or in mixtures with other vegetables. Both young greens and snow-white legs are eaten.

The variety is late-ripening, the harvest is removed 180-200 days after the emergence of mass shoots. Partial harvesting begins as early as 4-5 months. Cleaning dates: August-October.

The yield is excellent, on average 213-258 kg / ha. From 1 sq. m remove 3-4 kg. The output of marketable products is very high - 98-100%.

The variety is unpretentious and hardy. Subject to the timing of sowing and planting, it gives good yields in all regions of Russia, including the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. Although late-ripening in these regions usually do not have time to ripen, Karantansky is just the variety that justifies the risk. It is very cold resistant, the bleached part is short and rather thick, early cold does not damage it.

Leek Karantansky in the middle lane is grown through seedlings.

1. Sowing seedlings in late February - early March in small boxes or snail ribbons.

2. Seedlings in open ground are planted at the age of 70 days. Usually in May.

3. The distance between the seedlings is 15 cm, at least half a meter should be left in the aisles. The plant is spreading.

Leeks are picky about feeding, Karantansky is no exception. A lot of nitrogen is required to form an abundant green mass. Instead of industrial remedies, you can use an infusion of fermented nettle or grass.

Hilling is carried out several times over the summer - so the leg will be whiter and juicier.

Watered as needed, the Karantansky leek calmly accepts periodic droughts or lack of moisture. But it is better to follow a number of rules:

1. do not water with very cold water;

2. it is better not drip irrigation, but at the root, but so that the legs do not get wet in the water;

3. it is better to defend water before watering;

4. you do not need to water the onions within 3 days after planting the seedlings;

5. after watering, it is better to loosen the soil well.

Leek mulching is very useful. After watering, a layer of cut dry grass or dry manure is poured.

Ripe, undamaged legs are placed in storage. Leaves and roots are trimmed, but not too short. Leeks are stored at room temperature for 2 weeks, in the refrigerator for several weeks, in the cellar in sand or sawdust for several months. An important feature is that the vegetable becomes even more useful during storage, it accumulates vitamin C, and does not lose it, like other crops.

Leeks love fertile, loose, non-acidic, well-drained soil. Best predecessors: cabbage, potatoes, legumes. Do not plant after other bows.

When digging, dolomite flour, slaked lime, crushed chalk or wood ash are added to deoxidize the soil. To increase the nutritional value of the soil, the site is dug up, adding to each square. m 1 bucket of humus, 1 tbsp. l. nitrophosphate and 1 tsp. urea.

At the end of the growing season, the plant calmly withstands a drop in temperature to –5 ... 7 ° С. The best place for leeks is sunny. The Karantansky onion is flexible and unpretentious; it grows successfully in areas of risky farming.

The variety is resistant to diseases and pest attacks. Leeks are not prone to diseases, they have very few enemies. The main one, capable of causing significant damage, is the onion fly. To protect against it, the plantings are pollinated with wood ash: per 1 sq. m you need 1 glass of sifted ash. Thick mulching and loosening of the soil helps well. Onion fly larvae hatch in the upper layer of the soil, when it is destroyed, they cannot go up and die.

The reviews are great. Onion Karantansky surprises even beginners with simple agricultural techniques. The seeds are very lively, they germinate quickly and completely, the plant after transplantation takes root perfectly. It is unpretentious in leaving, gives the impression of being more unpretentious than onion.The taste does not differ from other varieties of leeks, but once you recognize it, you don't want to return to the onion. The Karantansky onion has a delicate and delicate taste, it has a juicy pulp, and it is simply delicious when frozen.

There is also criticism. Karantansky shoots heavily in cold or unstable summers. The variety is inferior to the Alligator onion, it is more powerful and productive. There were other disadvantages: poor storage, very thin stems. Some gardeners did not like the taste, they rated it as bland.

But such reviews are not more than 20%. Basically, gardeners find a common language with the variety, get strong and tasty legs, and successfully store them.