Bushman fennel is a dwarf decorative fennel with a dense rosette of leaves weighing about 100 grams or more. The plant is characterized by a medium-late maturity period and a compact size; the height with the flowering stem reaches 30-35 cm, making it convenient for use both in cooking and for decorative purposes. The leaves are serrated, dark green with a bluish bloom, and possess high aromaticity, which increases with the age of the plant.
Bushman is a representative of a new type of fennel variety that slowly transitions to stemming, allowing for longer use of the greens. The plant prefers long-day conditions, requires good lighting and moderate moisture. The optimal temperature for seed germination is 3-5°C with a germination duration of up to 24 days, while at 20-25°C seedlings appear in just 4 days. The most favorable temperature for growth is 20-22°C, although fennel develops well even at 15-17°C. It is important to avoid excessive moisture, high air humidity, and low temperatures, as this reduces the content of essential oils and degrades the quality of the greens.
For growing the Bushman variety, a planting scheme of 10x10 cm is recommended. Sowing is carried out from early February to the end of August, with a sowing rate of 3-6 g per square meter. The plant is well-suited for growing both in open ground and in protected ground. Yield with proper agronomy reaches 3-4 kg per square meter. Harvest can be collected by pulling out the plants with roots, which ensures good storage and transport, or by picking off individual large leaves for repeated use.
