Vita Long carrots

Vita Longa carrots are quite popular in Russia and European countries due to the combination of taste characteristics, marketable appearance and the absence of a visible core. Root crops have universal application, are suitable for industrial cultivation, and are well stored in the winter.

In Russia, the variety has been in the state register since 1993. The originator was the company from the Netherlands, Bejo Zaden B. V. Vita Long's carrots were submitted for variety testing back in 1988.

Vita Longa belongs to the Chantenay cultivar. Differs in an attractive appearance of root crops. The seeds are produced in Russia on ribbons, in a gel shell, as well as in the usual loose form. The neck of the plant does not contain roots. Thanks to selection work, the pulp has a uniform structure, not prone to decay.

When grown in conditions of farms, mechanized harvesting is allowed. The variety is highly valued by manufacturers of baby and dietetic food.

Vita Longa forms semi-spreading rosettes with medium-length leaves. The dissection of the plate is medium, the color is dark green.

Root crops of this carrot variety are long, about 22-26 cm, weighing 93-128 g (the maximum value reaches 300 g). The shape is conical, with a pointed tip. The color is uniform, orange throughout the entire thickness. The surface of the carrot is smooth, the structure of the pulp is juicy and dense.

Root vegetables are used for freezing and canning, they are good fresh. The pulp is used for juicing. The taste is assessed as good. In root crops, the content of beta-carotene is increased.

The variety is mid-season, 100-110 days pass from germination to harvest.

An average of 199-491 centners of this type of carrot are harvested per hectare. The output of marketable root crops is 82-96%.

Vita Longa is successfully grown in many regions of the Russian Federation. The variety is zoned in the Far East and Western Siberia, Central Russia, Chernozem, Middle and Lower Volga regions.

This carrot variety is grown by seed, sown directly into the ground from April to May. The desired sowing pattern is 20x5 cm. Pre-germination of seeds is optional. The garden bed is dug up for planting, if necessary, sand is added, since stagnant water affects the taste of root crops. It is important not to sow Vita Long in the beds where carrots grew last year. The place will have to be changed.

The variety is prone to root branching in mineral-rich soil. Overfeeding is highly undesirable for him. It is necessary to normalize the amount of fertilizers applied during the cultivation process. Nitrogen fertilizing is strictly normalized, with an excess of them, root crops will turn out to be unsuitable for food, with a coarse shell and fibrous structure. The variety responds well to the application of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.

Weeding and thinning also have to be done with extreme caution. Damage to the forming root crop can negatively affect its condition and development, cause deformation. When grown in brightly lit areas, periodic hilling is carried out so that the top of the carrots does not accumulate solanine.

Watering is also standardized. It is made more abundant during the seed germination stage.As it grows, the soil is moistened from a watering can with a fine spray, but only in the absence of precipitation.

Vita Longa tolerates heavy soils well, but grows successfully in looser soils.

The variety is winter-hardy, suitable for autumn sowing, tolerates frost well. Planting is recommended in bright, sunny areas, but plants develop normally in partial shade. In hot climates, watering rates are increased.

This carrot variety is resistant to root cracking. Tolerant to diseases. Among pests, the most dangerous for him is the rootworm nematode and hawthorn aphid. The first one practically does not lend itself to extermination, leads to the formation of swellings on the surface of the root crop. The second affects the greens, interfering with the normal development of the plant.

Over the long years of cultivation in Russia, Vita Long's carrots have managed to acquire many fans. It is highly appreciated for its general unpretentiousness, high germination of seeds, and an attractive appearance of root crops. Summer residents note that carrots are calibrated, clean and beautiful, without an earthy taste, with a thin, easily peeled skin.

This variety also has disadvantages. These include not the highest keeping quality, low sugar content in roots, plant susceptibility to deformations that negatively affect the appearance.