How to grow eggplant?
After planting, water well. Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Eggplant will fall over once loaded with fruit! Be sure to stake tall plants or use a cage to keep the plants upright. If growing eggplant in containers, stake the stems before the fruit forms. For bigger fruits, restrict to five or six per plant.
When do eggplant seedlings produce fruit?
Plant out your eggplant seedlings too late in the season, and you may not get any fruit. Choose a variety with a long time to maturity, and you can only start picking fruit in late Autumn. It happened to me – my eggplants kept dropping their flowers in summertime, only to start producing some fruit in late September, early October.
What is the history of the eggplant?
The first recorded history of the eggplant has been found in an ancient agricultural treatise of the Chinese, the Qimin Yaoshu, that was completed in 544. The plant has been cultivated in eastern and southern Asia since prehistory. The plant was also widely cultivated in Egypt.
What is eggplant related to?
As a member of the Solanaceae, or Nightshade family, they are closely related to potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and tobacco. Also known as aubergine or Guinea squash, eggplant is an upright bushy plant that often has spines along its stem. The leaves are large and somewhat fuzzy, often with a purplish hue.
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How does an eggplant reproduce?
Eggplant produces star-shaped, white or purple flowers. They contain both types of reproductive organs (pistil and stamens) and can perform self-pollination.
Does eggplant reproduce by seeds?
Eggplant seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days, depending on the heat, moisture provided, and moisture content and age of the seed. Seedlings with two sets of leaves can be transplanted into 4-inch or 2-by-2-by-6-inch pots two to three weeks after germination.
How are eggplants harvested?
Harvesting eggplants includes cutting a short piece of stem above the calyx (cap) attached to the top of the fruit. Use pruners or a sharp knife. Harvesting eggplants at their prime may take several days to a few weeks in succession, and frequent eggplant harvest promotes heavier yield of the fruit.
Where are eggplant produced?
New Jersey leads the nation in acres of eggplant harvested with 849 acres of harvested eggplant in 2019, ahead of California's 705, Florida's 685 and Georgia's 624. During peak season, farmers can harvest 900 or more bushels of eggplant per day. No other state harvested more than 500 acres.
How do you get seeds from eggplant?
1:547:37How to Save Eggplant Seeds // Massive Eggplant - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipScoop up the pulp scoop out the seeds. Onto this plate here. And the reason why it's important toMoreScoop up the pulp scoop out the seeds. Onto this plate here. And the reason why it's important to save seeds from top producers in your garden.
Why does my eggplant have seeds?
Eggplant seediness is usually due to improper harvesting or harvesting at the wrong time.
Do eggplants grow from the flower?
Eggplants have increased in popularity in the home garden in the past several years. Many gardeners who grow this vegetable have been frustrated when an eggplant has flowers but no fruit due to the fact that the eggplant flowers fall off the plant.
How can you tell a male from a female eggplant?
Male eggplants tend to have fewer seeds, and are therefore less bitter than female eggplants. To sex an eggplant, look at the indentation at bottom. If it's deep and shaped like a dash, it's a female. If it's shallow and round, it's a male.
Is eggplant a fruit or vegetable?
FruitEggplant / Fruit or VegetableEggplants, also known as aubergines, belong to the nightshade family of plants and are used in many different dishes around the world. Although often considered a vegetable, they're technically a fruit, as they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds.
Is eggplant a hybrid?
Hybrid eggplant Varo is one of the newest additions to our hybrid product portfolio....Variety Characteristics.CropEggplant F1YieldHigh3 more rows
How do you grow an eggplant step by step?
Sow eggplant seed ¼ to ½ inch (12mm) deep spaced 4 to 5 inches (10-12cm) apart. Eggplant seeds germinate in about 5 to 6 days. Give seedlings started indoors 12 hours of light each day; use a grow light or fluorescent lights. Start seeds on a heat mat then grow seedlings on at about 70°F (21°C).
Are eggplants vegetables?
The eggplant is a nightshade vegetable, like potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. It originally comes from India and Asia, where it still grows wild.
Are there seedless eggplants?
In an attempt to solve those problems for eggplant lovers, growers from Ein Yahav in southern Israel have developed and begun marketing a new variety of the vegetable which is entirely seedless. This new variety is characterized by an attractive outer appearance, good structure, and a shiny black coloration.
How do you know if an eggplant has seeds?
Eggplants have a dimple at the blossom end. The dimple can be very round or oval in shape. The round ones seem to have more seeds and tend to be less meaty, so select the oval dimpled eggplant.
Should you remove eggplant seeds?
The seeds of a fresh eggplant should be soft and barely visible and if they are, there's no need to remove them. If seeds are brown, scoop them out with a spoon.
Are eggplants a fruit or a vegetable?
FruitEggplant / Fruit or Vegetable
Description
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History
There is no consensus about the place of origin of eggplant; the plant species has been described as native to India, where it continues to grow wild, Africa, or South Asia. It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia since prehistory.
Etymology and regional names
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Cultivars
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Cooking and preparing
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Cultivation and pests
In tropical and subtropical climates, eggplant can be sown in the garden. Eggplant grown in temperate climates fares better when transplanted into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Eggplant prefers hot weather, and when grown in cold climates or in areas with low humidity, the plants languish or fail to set and produce mature fruit.
Host plant
The potato tuber moth ( Phthorimaea operculella) is an oligophagous insect that prefers to feed on plants of the family Solanaceae such as eggplants. Female P. operculella use the leaves to lay their eggs and the hatched larvae will eat away at the mesophyll of the leaf.
Description Of The Plant
The eggplant is a tropical perennial plant cultivated as a half-hardy annual in temperate climates. The delicate plant has a spiny stem. The flower of the eggplant is white to purple and bears yellow stamens and a five-lobed corolla. The glossy, purple fruit is egg-shaped and the flesh is white and meaty.
History Of Cultivation
The first recorded history of the eggplant has been found in an ancient agricultural treatise of the Chinese, the Qimin Yaoshu, that was completed in 544. The plant has been cultivated in eastern and southern Asia since prehistory. The plant was also widely cultivated in Egypt.
Cultivars Of Eggplant
There are various cultivars of the eggplant which produce fruits of different sizes, colors, and shapes. The most widely cultivated variety that is grown in Europe has a dark, purple skin and are 12 to 25 cm long and 6 to 9 cm broad. In India and other parts of Asia, many cultivars of brinjal are grown.
Uses Of Eggplant
The eggplant is nutritionally not too rich. It is low in carbohydrates, fat, and protein. It also provides little amounts of essential nutrients. Manganese is present in a moderate percentage in the eggplant.
Eggplant Production
Over 1,600,000 hectares of cultivable land is devoted to eggplant cultivation in the world. In 2013, global eggplant production was 49.4 million tons. China contributed to 57% of this output while India accounted for 27% of the production. Egypt, Iran, and Turkey were the other major producers of this crop.
Quick Guide to Growing Eggplant
Plant eggplant when soil temps are above 50° F and all chances of frost have passed.
Soil, Planting, and Care
Eggplant loves warmth and grows best in very sunny, well-drained locations.
Troubleshooting
The tiny, black flea beetle is by far the worst nemesis of eggplant, but big, healthy plants usually produce well despite tiny leaf holes made by lots of flea beetles. In some areas, a common soil-borne fungus, verticillium wilt, can cause lants to wilt and die.
Harvest and Storage
Fruits can taste bitter if picked when underripe or overripe, so harvesting is part of the eggplant grower's art. A perfect fruit will stop growing larger, have a glossy skin, and show a sprinkling of soft, well-formed yet immature seeds when you slice it open.
FAQs
This plant despises cold, wet weather. It grows best in warm or hot weather and a very sunny garden. In cool mountain climates, you may need a greenhouse. Some varieties, like Ichiban, do exceptionally well in containers.
1. Lack of water
Eggplants are a particularly thirsty plant, and they don’t do well in dry spells. Lack of water leads to a stressed-out plant, which in turn can drop flowers and not produce any fruit.
2. Lack of pollination
Eggplants are self-pollinating plants, meaning they have a “perfect”, or “complete” flower that has both male and female components. They still require pollination, but this easily occurs through light gusts of wind or by means of insects such as bees, butterflies, or moths.
3. Exposure to harsh temperatures
Eggplants aren’t meant to thrive in temperate climate conditions, so it should come as no surprise that they hate weather that’s out of their comfort zone.
4. Soil that is defficient in nutrients and minerals
Eggplants love well-drained, sandy soil that is rich in minerals, particularly nitrogen and phosphorous during the bearing fruit phase of the plant. Other important elements include potassium, phosphorous and magnesium. You can add all these elements into the soil by feeding it regularly with organic fertilizers.
5. Insect and pest invasions
If your eggplants aren’t producing fruit, check them for signs of disease or pests. Insects hide under the foliage, making them difficult to notice, and they can have a huge impact on your plant’s development.
6. Planting the wrong variety for your climate
Eggplants originate in Southeast Asia, and given their tropical heritage, they thrive in warm, rainy climates. Growing them in temperate climates, where we get long winters, and short growing seasons can be a challenge if we’re not strategic about it.
Conclusion
After reading this, you may decide that growing eggplants is too much of a hassle – they’re fickle about everything – soil, temperature, pollination, pests. But whenever plants are struggling, they have a way of showing it that points to the exact problem.
Overview
Description
History
Etymology and regional names
Cultivars
Cooking and preparing
Eggplant (US, Canada, Australia ), aubergine (UK, Ireland) or brinjal (Indian subcontinent, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Solanum melongena is grown worldwide for its edible fruit.
Most commonly purple, the spongy, absorbent fruit is used in several cuisines. Typically used as a vegetable in cooking, it is a berry by botanical definition. As a member of the genus Solanum, it is r…
Cultivation and pests
The eggplant is a delicate, tropical perennial plant often cultivated as a tender or half-hardy annual in temperate climates. The stem is often spiny. The flowers are white to purple in color, with a five-lobed corolla and yellow stamens. Some common cultivars have fruit that is egg-shaped, glossy, and purple with white flesh and a spongy, "meaty" texture. Some other cultivars are white and longer in shape. The cut surface of the flesh rapidly turns brown when the fruit is cut open (oxid…
Chemistry
There is no consensus about the place of origin of eggplant; the plant species has been described as native to India, where it continues to grow wild, Africa, or South Asia. It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia since prehistory. The first known written record of the plant is found in Qimin Yaoshu, an ancient Chinese agricultural treatise completed in 544 CE. The numerous Arabic and North African names for it, along with the lack of the ancient Greek and Roman names, indic…