Ilyinsky potato variety: photos, characteristics, and comparison table, reviews

Ilyinsky is an early potato variety and is popular with gardeners. This article discusses the pros and cons of this variety, as well as planting, care, and harvesting tips.

Description of the Ilyinsky potato variety in a table

Parameter	Characteristic
General information	It belongs to the table varieties with a mid-early ripening period.
Ripening time	Mid-early variety (65-80 days).
Productivity	176-346 c/ha, maximum – 355 c/ha.
Marketability	87-99%
Shelf life	93%
Starch concentration	15.7-18%
Color of pulp	White
Peel color	Red
Weight of commercial tubers	54-158 BC
Number of tubers on one bush	8-13 pcs.
Taste qualities	The taste is good.
Culinary type	B, suitable for preparing any dishes, the pulp does not darken when cooked.
Suitable regions for growing	Central Black Earth, Middle Volga.
Disease resistance	Resistant to potato cancer, susceptible to golden cyst nematode and late blight of tops, moderately susceptible to late blight of tubers (more resistant in the Moscow region).
Growing specifics	Standard conditions and care. Regular loosening of the soil and removal of weeds is recommended.
Year of inclusion in the register	1999

History and description of the Ilyinsky potato variety

This variety was developed in the late 20th century thanks to the work of breeders from several farms in the Moscow region. However, the originator is believed to be the A.G. Lorkh All-Russian Research Institute of Potato Farming. The variety was officially registered in 1999. The registry indicates that it is intended for planting in the Middle Volga and Central Black Earth regions of the Russian Federation.

The variety is mid-earlyThis means it has a short period between planting and harvesting, 65-80 days. Ilyinsky potatoes tolerate heat well and are quite drought-resistant.

Detailed description of the Ilyinsky potato variety

Let's look at the main characteristics of the Ilyinsky potato variety.

External description

• medium-sized bushes with erect shoots;
• inflorescences are small, reddish-purple;
• Leaves are medium-sized, light green, no waviness around the perimeter.

Photo gallery of the Ilyinsky variety:

Tubers

The tubers have the following characteristics:

Parameter	Characteristic
Form	Oval
Skin color	Pinkish red
Pulp color	White
Eyes	Small, medium depth
Productivity	176-346 c/ha, maximum – 355 c/ha.
Number of tubers per plant	The variety is multi-fruited, 8-13 pcs.
Yield of marketable tubers	87-99%
Shelf life	93%
Starch	15.7-18%
Weight of tubers	54-158 g

Resistance to infections and insects

The variety is resistant to many infections, let's take a closer look:

Parameter	Characteristic
Viruses Y and A	Almost not subject to
Cancer, scab	Stable
Late blight of tubers/stems	Moderately susceptible/susceptible
Golden cyst nematode/Colorado potato beetle	Receptive
Mole cricket/wireworm

Advantages and disadvantages of the Ilyinsky variety

Ilyinsky has the following advantages:

• gives a rich harvest;
• potatoes are suitable for consumption after any heat treatment;
• maintains its attractive commercial appearance for a long time;
• resistant to potato cancer, common scab and late blight;
• contains a large number of vitamins and microelements that are beneficial for the body.

When choosing this variety, it's important to consider its drawbacks. It's susceptible to stem blight, nematode attacks, and Colorado potato beetles. Sometimes, traces of wireworms and mole crickets can be seen on the bushes. The former leave small holes. Mole crickets damage the tubers, sometimes leaving only the skins.

Planting site requirements for the Ilyinsky potato variety

Ilyinsky prefers loose, weed-free soil. It is recommended to plant it after flax or legumes. Lupine can also be planted beforehand, but in this case, the soil must be thoroughly loosened.

Please note! If potatoes are planted on a slope, they should be planted across it, not along it.

Selection of planting material for the Ilyinsky variety and its preparation

The planting material prepared in the fall should be moved from the basement to a warm room in early spring. It needs to germinate at a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. This will take 30 days.

When the shoots reach 4 cm and the temperature remains above 10 degrees Celsius, transplant them into open ground. Pre-treat the tubers with Prestige.

Planting dates for the Ilyinsky variety

The crop can be planted when the soil has warmed up well and the risk of frost has passed. For most regions, the recommended planting time is the second ten days of May.

Important! It's absolutely essential to adhere to the timing. If planted too early, the tubers may rot, and if planted too late, they won't have time to ripen.

Step-by-step instructions for planting the Ilyinsky potato variety

There are several ways to plant potatoes:

• Plant in a single row (under a spade). Plant at a depth of 7-8 cm. The distance between rows should be at least 0.6-0.7 m. The distance between tubers in a single line is 25 cm.
• The strip method (in trenches). Planting is done in two rows, spaced 30 cm apart. Approximately 100 cm apart, two more rows are dug.
• Rows with ridges. Tubers are planted in rows at a shallow depth. After planting, they are covered with soil to form a ridge.

Please note! The latter method is preferable, as it allows you to harvest a couple of weeks earlier.

Read more about planting potatoes in the article How to plant potatoes correctly.

Features of caring for the Ilyinsky potato variety

Proper potato care directly affects the taste of potatoes. Therefore, when growing the Ilyinsky variety, it's important to follow the recommendations below.

Watering

Don't water the plant until the seedlings emerge. This can disrupt the development of the root system. Furthermore, water clogs the soil, making it difficult for the surface roots to absorb moisture.

Once the first shoots appear, you can water for the first time. It's recommended to apply water into the furrows between the rows. Water moderately, as the top layer of soil dries out. During bud formation and flowering, the bushes will require more water.
Water for irrigation should be warm and settled. It's best to moisten the soil in the morning and evening, when the sun isn't too hot.

Loosening, hilling, mulching

In the fall, the bed where Ilyinsky will be planted needs to be plowed. In the spring, when the snow melts, the area should be hilled. Failure to do this will result in a poor harvest.

Temperatures can still be quite cool in May, so the crop needs to be protected. To do this, it's recommended to cover it with a layer of soil about 5 cm thick. Failure to do this won't kill the plants, but it will negatively impact the yield.

This variety requires regular weeding and hilling. This work is recommended when the bushes begin to flower.

Mulching is necessary to lift growing and fallen stems off the ground. This allows the bushes to spread out and the tubers to ripen faster.

Top dressing

Fertilizer application scheme:

• First feeding. Nitrogen-containing fertilizer is applied when the green mass develops.
• Second feeding. Calcium-containing mixtures are applied before budding. This will accelerate flowering and have a beneficial effect on plant growth and development.
• Third feeding. After flowering, superphosphate is added. It is necessary for rapid tuber ripening.

Helpful information! Fertilizers in solution form are commonly used in garden plots. It's recommended to apply them to moist soil to avoid burning plant roots.

Protection of the Ilyinsky variety from diseases and pests, prevention

To protect bushes from attack Colorado potato beetle You can use chemicals that state on the packaging that they are effective against this pest. There are also many folk remedies that can also help control insects (for example, onion infusion).

The following medications can help control nematodes:

• Medvetoks;
• Thunderbolt;
• Gromoboi-1.

Late blight is an incurable disease, but there are medications that can prevent its development:

• Ridomil MC;
• Oxychom;
• Ridomil Gold MC.

You can also treat the area with a solution of potassium permanganate or Bordeaux mixture.

Read more about potato diseases and how to control them in the article. 19 potato diseases: photos, descriptions, causes, treatment, and prevention.

Harvesting and storage

The harvest can be completed three months after planting. At the same time, it's recommended to prepare planting material for next year. This can be done using specimens with 10 or more tubers.

A couple of weeks before harvest, mow down the tops. It's recommended to remove the tubers from the ground by hand to avoid damaging them. Harvest only in dry weather.

To store potatoes for a long time, you need to follow these rules:

• Immediately after harvesting, dry the tubers directly in the garden bed;
  after this, place the harvest in a dry room with a temperature of +12…+16 degrees;
• Sort out the tubers, discard any that are too small or diseased;
• Store seed potatoes in a separate container from food potatoes.

If the above rules are followed, 93% of the harvest will remain in marketable condition until spring.

Read more about how and what to use to harvest potatoes in the article When to dig potatoes: timing and methods for young plants and for storage.

And also How to Store Potatoes in an Apartment: 7 Best Places and 4 Conditions.

Differences between the Ilyinsky variety and other varieties

The main distinguishing feature of the Ilyinsky variety is its high yield and long-lasting shelf life of its roots. To better understand this, let's compare it to the Snegir potato.

It retains 95% of its marketable appearance, while Ilyinsky maintains 93%. However, it has a relatively low yield, only 180 centners per hectare. Although Ilyinsky doesn't store as well, it produces more fruit (350 centners per hectare). This means its yield isn't affected by shelf life.

Variety	Ripening period (number of days to maturity)	Starch (%)	Yield (c/ha)	Weight of tubers (g) Number of tubers per bush	Shelf life (%)
Ilyinsky	Mid-early**	15.7-18	176-346	55-160 8-13	93
Armada	Early ripening*	17-18	230-370	96-130 9-14	80-85
Giant	Mid-season***	16-19	290-424	100-140 8-13	97
Explosive	Early ripening	16-17	156-240	110-150 8-14	95
Zekura	Mid-early	13-18	350-370	60-150 12-20	98
Kolobok	Mid-season	1-13	130-250	90-140 15-18	96
Handsome	Mid-early	12.4-17.8	169-201	90-170 6-10	97
Latona	Early ripening	16-20	400-450	90-140 10-15	97
Memphis	Mid-early	14.2-16.7	330-610	80-160 9-11	94
Meteor	Early ripening	10-16	210-405	100-150 10-12	95

*Early ripening – 50-65 days.

**Mid-early – 65-80 days.

***Mid-season – 80-95 days.

Real reviews from gardeners about the Ilyinsky potato variety

Below are tips and reviews from experienced gardeners that will be useful when growing this variety.

Isaeva Elena

We planted them in May and tried digging them on August 2nd, St. Elijah's Day. Each plant produced eight perfectly shaped tubers. They tasted great and were versatile (they could be boiled, fried, or stewed). By September, only eight plants remained—the rest were eaten. They have average shelf life and start to spoil in January.

Natalia

We've had a fantastic harvest! The potatoes are large, healthy, with 4-6 select tubers per bush, and they're delicious!

Leonid

We plant several potato varieties. But we like the Ilyinsky potato the best. Of all the varieties we grow, we like the taste of this potato the most. And it's less susceptible to worms.

Excellent quality potatoes, crumbly and with an excellent taste.

As it turns out, the Ilyinsky variety has become a favorite among gardeners due to its quick ripening, long shelf life, and excellent taste. However, this can only be achieved by following the planting and care guidelines. Therefore, it's essential to follow all the recommendations above.