Should I stake my eggplant?
Yes, it’s wise to create a support for eggplants. Staking eggplant keeps the fruit from touching the ground, which in turn, reduces the risk of disease and fosters fruit shape, especially for elongated eggplant varieties.
Do eggplants need support?
Fruit comes in several sizes depending upon the variety, but staking eggplants regardless of size will also retard disease while allowing for optimal growth and yield. Read on to learn about eggplant support ideas. Do Eggplant Plants Need Support? Yes, it’s wise to create a support for eggplants.
How do you keep eggplant from breaking off?
When your eggplants start reaching a mature state, you must provide stability to keep the plant from breaking. You can place a tomato cage around the eggplant, or you can place a wooden stake behind the plant, and tie it to the stake.
How do you grow eggplants?
One stake per plant is enough to keep them upright. Don't touch those suckers, because eggplants grow like determinate tomatoes; they push out a bunch of stems at once, and a heavy fruit set in late summer. Generally, grow like tomatoes. Lots of sun and warmth, and constant light moisture.
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About This Article
This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
1. Planting Under the Wrong Growing Conditions
You must understand what plants need, in a grow space, prior to planting them. Eggplant has specific growing conditions which must be met for the plant to thrive.
3. Using an Imbalanced Fertilizer
Eggplants should be fertilized. They enjoy a fresh dose of nutrients approximately one time per month. If the plants don’t have necessary nutrients, it can be difficult for them to thrive.
4. Not Supplying Eggplant with Calcium
Plants need nutrients just as humans do. If you don’t supply the right nutrients, your plants could suffer.
5. Not Protecting the Eggplant from the Elements
As plants mature, there are many threats gardeners must be aware of. With eggplants, they should be staked and protected from strong winds.
6. Skipping the Mulch
If you were to ask me the thing I hate most about gardening, my answer would probably be mulch. I love how it looks after I’m done, and I appreciate all it does for my plants and soil.
7. Ignoring Pests and Diseases
Unfortunately, eggplants have many enemies in the garden. You must pay close attention to signs of pests and diseases.
8. Harvesting at the Wrong Time
It’s terrible to put in a lot of hard work, only to have it wasted at harvest time. If you don’t harvest eggplant at the appropriate time, this can happen.
