Content
Dill Aurora is a relatively young early-ripening variety that differs among other species by thick foliage, late formation of inflorescences and immunity to powdery mildew. The variety was included in the State Register of Russia in 2001 and recommended for cultivation in all regions of the country, due to the good frost resistance of Aurora dill.
The originator of the variety is CJSC Scientific and Production Company "Russian Seeds".
Description of the variety of dill 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 plate is greenish-gray; a weakly expressed waxy bloom is felt on its surface. 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.
In the description of the Aurora variety, the excellent taste of dill and the rich aroma of bushes are emphasized. Dill has also received 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, dill Aurora is grown for greens, however, part of the late harvest can also be used for conservation.
Yield
The culture of 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 m22... The mass of one plant varies from 10 to 15 g.
You can harvest the crop several times per season. At the same time, they are guided by the size of the dill - the optimal height of the bushes should be about 20 cm.
Sustainability
In the description of the Aurora variety, it is indicated that dill is resistant to insufficient light, which is confirmed by numerous reviews. The plant develops well both in the sun and in partial shade. With strong shading, only a slight inhibition of the growth of dill is observed, however, this does not affect the yield indicators, if the plantings are fed on time 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, the plantings of the Aurora variety do not freeze during return spring frosts.
The resistance of Aurora dill to powdery mildew is especially noted in the reviews. The disease rarely affects plantings. However, violation of agricultural practices can lead to an outbreak of one of the following diseases:
- blackleg;
- phomosis;
- peronosporosis.
The Aurora variety practically does not attract pests. The greatest threat to the plant is aphid.
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 for this culture;
- delayed stemming, which prolongs the period of economic suitability of plants;
- universality of appointment;
- unpretentious care;
- good keeping quality;
- the peculiarity of the structure of the plant - the dill rosette is raised, which makes it easier to harvest;
- the possibility of multiple collection of greens;
- resistance to lack of illumination;
- unattractiveness to pests.
There are no drawbacks as such in the Aurora variety, however, this type of dill is still young, which does not inspire confidence in some gardeners. Many summer residents prefer old, time-tested varieties.
Landing rules
Dill Aurora is planted, starting from the 3rd decade of April, the deadline for planting falls on the last days of May. To obtain greenery in early spring, sowing can be done before winter, and planting material can be sown both directly in open ground and for seedlings.
Dill of the Aurora variety develops best in areas that meet the following requirements:
- The future bed should be open and well lit, but partial shade will also work. 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 impose special requirements on the type of soil, but the variety shows the best performance when planting on sandy loam and loamy soils.
- The culture of the Aurora variety responds well to planting in a place where tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and cabbage used to grow. However, it grows poorly in areas previously occupied by carrots, fennel and parsnips.
The site must be prepared before sowing. To do this, in March, the place of future beds is loosened with a rake and brought into the ground:
- 20 g of potassium salt;
- 15 g of urea;
- 30 g superphosphate.
Per 1 m2... In no case should the site be fertilized with lime, dolomite flour and ash. Such feeding inhibits crop growth.
The planting material is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate the day before sowing, 2-3 hours are enough. This procedure is preventive in nature - so the dill will hurt less.
The dried seeds are sown in furrows about 2 cm deep, maintaining a gap of 20 cm, since the bushes are branched and will interfere with each other when planted closer. Then the seeds are covered and the plantings are watered moderately. Additionally, you can mulch the beds with a layer of peat 3 cm.
Growing technology
Further care for dill of the Aurora variety consists in loosening row spacings, weeding, regular but moderate watering and dressing. It is also recommended to thin out the seedlings in order to avoid thickening of the plantings - the cramped arrangement of the plants provokes the development of the fungus.
Water the plantings of the Aurora variety 2 times a day at the rate of 2-3 buckets per 1 m2... In conditions of heavy rains, watering is minimized. The plant is fed only if the dill was planted on a meager, unprepared area. The following dressings are suitable:
- Fermented nettle infusion - fresh leaves and stems in the amount of 1 kg are poured with 10 liters of water and insisted for 5 days.
- A solution of mineral fertilizers: 500 ml of mullein and 1 tsp. urea must be poured with 10 liters of water.
- 10 g of potash-phosphorus fertilizers.
Loosening and weeding is especially important in the early stages, while the seedlings are still small. During this period of development, Aurora dill is especially vulnerable and can weaken when surrounded by weeds.
Diseases and pests
In the course of breeding work, excellent immunity was genetically incorporated into the dill of the Aurora variety, therefore it is resistant to most diseases. However, with thickening of the plantings, excessive watering and a large number of weeds, dill can get sick with a fungus. Among the most dangerous are the following diseases:
- Blackleg... It manifests itself in decay of the root collar. Dill Aurora is treated with Fundazol solution.
- Fomoz... Disease is determined by brown spots on dill leaves. Sick plants are sprayed with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid, 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 planting is sprayed at least 2 weeks before harvest.
- Peronosporosis (or downy mildew). The first sign of the disease is light spots on the stem and leaves of dill, which eventually turn brown. 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 liquid.
Of insects, the greatest threat is posed by:
- carrot fly;
- Italian bed bugs;
- umbrella blind;
- aphid.
The carrot fly causes rapid drying of the leaves of the dill variety Aurora. At risk are primarily those plants that were planted in the immediate vicinity of carrot beds - as the name suggests, the pest is attracted by the aroma of carrot tops. You can protect the planting of dill from flies with the help of a folk remedy, for which, in equal relations, it is necessary to mix:
- mustard powder;
- fine-grained sand;
- hot ground pepper;
- dry peat and ash.
With the resulting mixture, draw a strip between the beds of carrots and dill. If the fly continues to damage the plant, the plantings are sprayed with Vantex, Aktellik or Fitoverm.
Treatment of dill with the chemicals 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 stepchildren. The substances contained in plants of the nightshade family are toxic to many insects.
In order to prepare the broth, it is necessary to grind 2 kg of potato tops or stepchildren, pour the resulting mass of 10 liters of water and boil the mixture for 30 minutes. Then add 1 tbsp to the broth. l. shavings from laundry soap and stir the mixture thoroughly until the substance is completely dissolved. If it gets on the plant, such a solution will create a soapy film that will prevent it from being washed off by rain or during watering.
It repels tobacco pests well. You can dry mix it with mustard powder in a 1: 1 ratio and sprinkle with the dill mixture. A tobacco solution has proven itself well: 100 g of the substance is infused in 10 liters of water during the day.
Finally, you can feed the culture of the Aurora variety with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers: 3 kg of ash are poured into 10 liters of water and insisted for a day. Then add 1 tbsp to the solution. l. liquid soap.
Conclusion
Dill Aurora was bred quite recently, however, the variety is rapidly gaining popularity. Dill Aurora is in demand among gardeners primarily due to its cold resistance and high yield rates; 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 greatly facilitates the care of the crop.
You can learn more about the features of growing dill from the video below:
