Santa Cruz F1 carrot is an early hybrid of the Chantenay type with a vegetation period of about 90 days. The roots are elongated, with smooth skin and a rounded blunt tip, measuring 16–18 cm in length and 4–6 cm in diameter. The roots have a rich orange color both inside and out, lack green shoulders, and have a small core, ensuring high product quality. The flesh is dense, juicy, and sweet, with a high concentration of dry matter and carotene, making this hybrid ideal for processing, canning, freezing, and juice production.
Medium-sized plants with strong dark green leaves, resistant to cracking and splitting during harvest, which contributes to a uniform and high yield. Commercial yield ranges from 95 to 120 tons per hectare when planted at a density of 0.6–0.8 million seeds per hectare. Santa Cruz F1 carrot is cold-tolerant and can withstand frosts down to –3–5°С, but prolonged exposure to low temperatures during the 5–8 leaf stage may cause flowering, so choosing the optimal time for spring sowing is important.
For successful cultivation of this hybrid, use slightly acidic or neutral sandy-loam and light soils with good aeration, as carrots are sensitive to high salt content and oxygen deficiency. Optimal temperatures for seed germination are 4–6°С, and for root formation — 18–21°С. Under high temperatures and insufficient moisture, plant growth slows, and root quality deteriorates. Santa Cruz F1 carrot requires sufficient light, as overcrowding leads to elongated roots.
