Dill Alligator is in a special place among gardeners. The variety is unpretentious in care and is characterized by high yield. Since the crop is a late-ripening variety, harvesting is carried out several times per season, which is why Alligator has earned high popularity.
Description of the variety
The variety has the following characteristics:
- green leaves with a bluish tint;
- late release of umbrellas;
- large, slightly raised rosette;
- easy cultivation;
- plant height reaches 160 cm;
- The weight of 1 plant when harvested for greenery reaches 20 grams.
Alligator is a late-ripening bush variety.The ripening period takes 40–45 days for greens, 115 days for spices.
It is optimal to plant in loose black soil. Although in other types of soil, Alligator will give a good harvest. It's all about the unpretentiousness of culture. In addition, dill is well adapted to low temperatures.
Growing
Growing a crop, although it seems simple, nevertheless requires a thorough approach to the matter. Dill seeds contain a large amount of essential oils, which slow down the germination period. Under favorable conditions, the seeds will sprout in about 10 days; at low temperatures, this may take a little longer.
In order to speed up the germination of seeds, they are soaked in warm water for a day. As it cools, the water should be changed periodically. In this case, seedlings will appear within 2–3 days.
For maximum harvest, the growing temperature should be 18–20 degrees. It must be remembered that dill is a light-loving crop, regardless of the variety.
To plant seeds in open ground, you can choose either spring or late autumn. The plant is cold-resistant, so it can withstand temperatures down to -8 degrees. Also, seeds can be sown in early spring, as soon as the soil dries out from the snow.
Before sowing, the soil should be fertilized with organic matter. Dill seeds are sown in moist and loose soil, sowing is carried out across the beds. The optimal distance between the furrows is 15–20 cm. It is recommended to cover the top of the furrow with a layer of humus or peat, slightly compacting the soil.
The planting site is covered with film until seedlings emerge.
Features of care
The varietal characteristics of the Alligator indicate that the variety does not require specific care.First of all, dill needs watering. For 1 sq. m take 5 liters of water. The procedure should be carried out at least once a week, in case of severe drought - 2-3 times. No fertilizer is required during the ripening process. The crop needs only the nutrition that was used to treat the soil before sowing.
Maintenance also includes weeding, loosening and weed removal. After 3-4 leaves appear on each seedling, the dill will begin to grow intensively, and weeds will no longer be an obstacle.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Alligator variety is one of the most popular and versatile. It produces a large harvest several times a season. At the same time, it does not require special care. The crop can be grown in a greenhouse and in open ground. Thus, the advantages of the variety are:
- high, multiple yields;
- resistance to low light and pests;
- slow stemming;
- one bush weighs on average 50 grams;
- dense greens, baskets do not form for a long time;
- succulent leaves.
The description of the variety makes it clear that Alligator has no shortcomings, with the exception of short shelf life in fresh form, which is inherent in all types of dill.
Pests and diseases
Regardless of the type of dill root system, the main problem of this crop is fusarium wilt, which is transmitted by seeds. It especially often occurs under unfavorable conditions, including sudden changes in air temperature.
Note! It is unacceptable to treat dill leaves with chemicals.
To minimize the risk of developing the disease, before sowing it is recommended to treat the seeds, that is, soak them in a solution of potassium permanganate or Fitosporin.
If a previous crop was affected by this disease, this means that the area is infected.Trichodermin, a fungal spore, should be added to the soil in advance. The drug is applied to moist soil, together with peat substrates. This will minimize the recurrence of the disease.
Also, the Alligator variety can be affected by black leg. This is a fungal disease that is transmitted by infected seeds.
Another pest that can significantly spoil the crop is powdery mildew. It lives in the soil and develops when the soil is insufficiently tilled before planting. Elevated temperature and air humidity are the main provocateurs of the disease.
In some cases, damage by bedbugs, caterpillars, aphids, and May beetle larvae may occur. As for the Alligator dill variety, it is affected less frequently, but in case of insufficient soil cultivation, this can happen.
In order to prevent fungal infection and grow a good harvest, it is important to prepare the soil and seeds for sowing and ventilate the plantings. Preventive measures also include regular inspection of plants.
Collection and storage
Greens are harvested approximately 40 days after seed germination. Some gardeners produce selective harvesting, while others use the continuous method. The most valuable are young greens, about 5 cm in size. If they are not collected on time and the dill has sprouted, then the plants should be harvested completely, otherwise inflorescences will form and the greens will lose their taste.
