Content
Dill Aurora is a relatively young, early-ripening variety that is distinguished among other species by its dense foliage, late formation of inflorescences and immunity to powdery mildew. The variety was included in the State Register of Russia in 2001 and is recommended for cultivation in all regions of the country, due to the good frost resistance of Aurora dill.
The originator of the variety is the Russian Seeds Research and Production Company CJSC.
Description of the dill variety Aurora
Dill Aurora is a low-growing, spreading variety. The plant is a fairly powerful, lush bush with large dark leaves. The color of the leaf blade is greenish-gray; a faint waxy coating is felt on its surface. The leaves are slightly dissected in shape. What distinguishes Aurora dill from many other varieties is the raised rosette of leaves - so the plant practically does not get dirty after heavy rains.
The description of the Aurora variety emphasizes the excellent taste of dill and the rich aroma of the bushes. Dill has also won favorable reviews from gardeners for its good keeping quality - the harvested greens remain fresh for a long time and do not lose their marketable qualities.
The purpose of the Aurora variety is universal. First of all, Aurora dill is grown for greens, however, part of the late harvest can also be used for preservation.
Productivity
The Aurora variety ripens quickly; after 3-4 weeks you can cut the first greens. The yield of the variety is on average 2 kg per m2, with good care this figure can reach 2.5-3 kg per m2. The weight of one plant varies from 10 to 15 g.
The crop can be harvested several times per season. In this case, they focus on the size of the dill - the optimal height of the bushes should be approximately 20 cm.
Sustainability
The description for the Aurora variety indicates that dill is resistant to low light, which is confirmed by numerous reviews. The plant develops well in both sun and partial shade. With strong shade, only a slight inhibition of dill growth is observed, however, this does not affect the yield indicators if the plantings are fed and weeded in a timely manner.
The frost resistance of the variety is high, the first shoots appear at a fairly low temperature - only +3-5°C. Also, plantings of the Aurora variety do not freeze during returning spring frosts.
The reviews especially note the resistance of Aurora dill to powdery mildew. The disease rarely affects plantings. However, violation of the rules of agricultural technology may lead to an outbreak of one of the following diseases:
- blackleg;
- Phomasis;
- peronosporosis.
The Aurora variety practically does not attract pests. The greatest threat to the plant is aphids.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Aurora variety include the following characteristics of dill:
- the splendor of the bushes, which ensures excellent productivity;
- rich aroma, pleasant taste;
- frost resistance;
- immunity to most diseases typical of this culture;
- delayed stemming, prolonging the economic suitability of plants;
- versatility of purpose;
- ease of care;
- good keeping quality;
- a structural feature of the plant is that the dill rosette is raised, which makes harvesting easier;
- possibility of repeated collection of greenery;
- resistance to low light levels;
- unattractive to pests.
The Aurora variety has no disadvantages as such, however, this variety of dill is still young, which does not inspire confidence among some gardeners. Many summer residents prefer old, time-tested varieties.
Landing rules
Aurora dill is planted starting from the 3rd decade of April; the planting deadlines are in the last days of May. To obtain greenery in early spring, sowing can be done before winter, and planting material can be sown either directly in open ground or as seedlings.
The Aurora variety dill develops best in areas that meet the following requirements:
- The future garden bed should be open and well lit, but partial shade is also suitable. As a last resort, you can plant dill in the shade, however, in such growing conditions the yield of the variety will be slightly lower.
- Aurora dill does not have any special requirements for the type of soil, but the variety shows the best performance when planted on sandy and loamy soils.
- The Aurora variety responds well to planting in a place where tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and cabbage previously grew. However, it does not grow well in areas previously occupied by carrots, fennel and parsnips.
The area must be prepared before sowing. To do this, in March, the site of future beds is loosened with a rake and added to the soil:
- 20 g potassium salt;
- 15 g urea;
- 30 g superphosphate.
Based on 1 m2. Under no circumstances should you fertilize the area with lime, dolomite flour and ash. Such fertilizing inhibits crop growth.
The planting material is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate the day before sowing, 2-3 hours is enough. This procedure is preventative in nature - this way the dill will hurt less.
Dried seeds are sown in furrows about 2 cm deep, maintaining a gap of 20 cm, since the bushes become branched and will interfere with each other when planted closer together. Then the seeds are planted and the plantings are watered moderately. Additionally, you can mulch the beds with a 3 cm layer of peat.
Growing technology
Further care for dill of the Aurora variety consists of loosening the rows, weeding, regular but moderate watering and fertilizing. It is also recommended to thin out the seedlings to avoid thickening of the plantings - the cramped arrangement of plants provokes the development of fungus.
Water the Aurora variety plantings 2 times a day at the rate of 2-3 buckets per 1 m2. In conditions of heavy rainfall, watering is reduced to a minimum. The plant is fed only if the dill was planted in a sparse, unprepared area. The following fertilizers are suitable:
- Fermented nettle infusion - fresh leaves and stems in an amount of 1 kg, pour 10 liters of water and infuse for 5 days.
- Mineral fertilizer solution: 500 ml mullein and 1 tsp. urea must be filled with 10 liters of water.
- 10 g of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.
Loosening and weeding are especially important at the initial stage, while the seedlings are still small. During this period of development, dill of the Aurora variety is especially vulnerable and can weaken when surrounded by weeds.
Diseases and pests
During breeding work, the Aurora dill variety was genetically endowed with excellent immunity, so it is resistant to most diseases. However, with thickening of plantings, excessive watering and a large number of weeds, dill can become infected with fungus. The most dangerous diseases include the following:
- Blackleg. It manifests itself in rotting of the root collar. Aurora dill is treated with a solution of Fundazol.
- Fomoz. The disease is identified by brown spots on dill leaves. Sick plants are sprayed with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture, however, one treatment is not enough. In this case, it is important to maintain a break of 10 days between treatments. The last time the plantings are sprayed is at least 2 weeks before harvest.
- Downy mildew (or downy mildew). The first sign of the disease is light spots on the stem and leaves of dill, which turn brown over time. At the first symptoms of the disease, the beds are sprayed with a solution of copper oxychloride (30 g of substance per 1 bucket of water) or 1% Bordeaux mixture.
The most dangerous insects are:
- carrot fly;
- Italian bedbugs;
- umbrella blinds;
- aphid.
The carrot fly causes rapid drying of dill leaves of the Aurora variety.At risk are primarily those plants that were planted in close proximity to carrot beds - as the name suggests, the pest is attracted to the aroma of carrot tops. You can protect dill plantings from flies using a folk remedy, for which you need to mix in equal proportions:
- mustard powder;
- fine sand;
- hot ground pepper;
- dry peat and ash.
Using the resulting mixture, draw a strip between the beds of carrots and dill. If the fly continues to cause damage to the plant, the plantings are sprayed with Vantex, Actellik or Fitoverm.
Treatment of dill with chemical preparations "Arrivo", "Vantex" or "Karate Zeon" will help against bedbugs, umbrella blinds and aphids, but it is better to use natural insecticides instead - a decoction of potato tops and tomato stepsons. Substances contained in plants of the nightshade family are toxic to many insects.
In order to prepare the decoction, you need to chop 2 kg of potato tops or shoots, pour the resulting mass into 10 liters of water and boil the mixture for 30 minutes. Then add 1 tbsp to the broth. l. shavings from laundry soap and thoroughly stir the mixture until the substance is completely dissolved. When it gets on a plant, such a solution will create a soapy film, which will prevent it from being washed off by rain or during watering.
Tobacco is a good repellent for pests. You can mix it dry with mustard powder in a 1:1 ratio and sprinkle the mixture with dill. A tobacco solution has proven itself well: 100 g of the substance is infused in 10 liters of water for 24 hours.
Finally, you can feed the Aurora variety with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers: 3 kg of ash is poured into 10 liters of water and left for 24 hours. Then add 1 tbsp to the solution. l. liquid soap.
Conclusion
Dill Aurora was developed quite recently, however, the variety is rapidly gaining popularity. Dill Aurora is in demand among gardeners primarily due to its cold resistance and high yields; beginners are also attracted by the unpretentiousness of the plant and its resistance to diseases and pests. The variety is practically not damaged by insects and does not get sick, which makes caring for the crop much easier.
You can learn more about the features of growing dill from the video below:
