Carrot variety Karotel: description and growing features

The next time you are at the market or in the store, pay attention to the small size and very rich orange color of carrots – its name is Karotel. It is pleasant in taste, and its bright orange color is a sign of a large content of vitamins B1, B2, B6, K, PP, E and other useful trace elements.

Karotel is a high-yielding variety, while it is not whimsical in growing and resistant to many diseases and pests. It is suitable for both fresh consumption and for the preparation of preserves. It is well stored in winter, without losing its taste.

General description of the variety

Karotel belongs to the table type of carrots with short, rounded and slightly elongated thick roots. This name was borrowed from the French language – “carotte”. It has a bright orange-red color, which makes it stand out among other commercial varieties. It is characterized by an average ripening period. Its small core and small blunt tip have a juicy, crunchy and sweet flesh, which is rich in carotene content. Karotel is famous for its increased resistance to flowering and bolting.

History of origin

The Karotel carrot variety first appeared in the regions of the Mediterranean coast. But this was preceded by long breeding work. In the 1970s, a meeting of gardeners from all over the country took place in France, discussing issues related to improving the quality of garden crops. It was this congress that gave impetus to the selection of the Karotel carrot variety. The varieties bred in Paris were named “Parisian Karotel”, which immediately won the interest of all carrot lovers, after which it began to be actively used by gardeners throughout Europe.

Detailed characteristics

The Karotel carrot variety is popular among gardeners due to its high yield and excellent taste.

Appearance. The plant has a rich green part, well branched. There are no spots or brown blotches. The root crop is completely immersed in the ground, has a conical shape with a blunt tip. The flesh of the plant is quite sweet and juicy, the color is orange-red. The root crop reaches 9-15 cm in length.

Sortotype. Karotel carrots belong to medium-early varieties.

Amount of fructose and beta-carotene. The beta-carotene content in one root crop is about 10-13%. The fructose index is 6-8%.

Sowing time. The most favorable time for sowing carrots is considered to be the period when the air temperature reaches 15°C. As a rule, this is mid-May.

Seed germination. Prepared seeds should be placed in the beds at a distance of 25 to 60 cm and a depth of 0.5—2.5 cm. The seeds of the plant have high germination – about 80%.

Average weight of one carrot. The average weight of a Karotel carrot is from 80 to 160 g.

Yield. About 5-7 kg of carrots are obtained from 1 m2 of soil. With quality care, this figure can grow to 10 kg.

Purpose of the variety. Karotel is suitable for fresh consumption, canning, used in boiled and fried form.

Growing conditions. Suitable for growing both in greenhouse conditions and in open ground. Immediately after sowing and until the first shoots appear, watering is carried out 2-3 times a week with a norm of 10 liters of water per 1 m². Then careful attention is paid to weeding and thinning.

Ripening period. From the moment of planting the seeds to the ripening of the first carrot fruits, about 100-110 days pass.

Soils. Suitable soils for growing Karotel carrots are chernozems. But cultivation is also possible on loams, provided good fertilization. Before planting, fertilizers are applied to the soil from the following calculations: about 25 g of superphosphate, 2-3 kilograms of humus, 15 g of potash fertilizers per 1 m2.

Frost resistance. The plant is resistant to frost, so it is often planted “before winter”. It is recommended to plant in soil where tomatoes, cucumbers, onions or cabbage were previously grown.

Pests and diseases

The most common problems include rot, brown spot and harmful insects.

In order to get rid of rotting processes, it is necessary to feed Karotel with potassium. Brown spot can be overcome by loosening the aisles or spraying with a decoction of nettle, horsetail.

Carrot fly – bronze-colored spots are formed on the top of the plant. Damaged root crops are not suitable for consumption. Leaf beetle – adults feed on plant sap, as a result of which it dries up and dies. Chemical agents will help in the fight against insects, but they should not be abused, as this can turn your product into dangerous for consumption.

Harvesting and storage

Since Karotel belongs to medium-early varieties, its harvest is carried out approximately after 102-110 days. This period is determined by the growing season of carrots and should be indicated on the seed bag.

For storing carrots, it must first be thoroughly dried from moisture, but not in the sun, but in the shade. The storage place should be a moderate temperature of +10 – +12°C.

An undoubted advantage of the Karotel variety is that this variety is well stored. If all conditions are met, carrots are able to retain all their useful properties until the new harvest, that is, be stored for a year.