How to Fertilize Eggplants
- Cover the soil area where you’ll be planting your eggplant with 2 to 3 inches deep of well-rotted manure.
- Mix the manure or fertilizer into the soil with a shovel. ...
- Watch for the eggplant to form the first flowers and wait for the appearance of small fruits growing.
- Incorporate the feed into the ground 3 to 4 inches deep with a cultivator. ...
How do you care for an eggplant?
Eggplants grow best in a compost-rich, fertile soil under full sun. Feeding eggplants during their growing and fruiting stages improves the overall health of the plant. Healthy plants produce larger fruit in greater quantities. In addition, when growing some varieties of eggplant, fertilizer may reduce bitterness caused by plant stress.
How do you fertilize eggplant seedlings?
Drip irrigation works best for eggplants. Side dress each plant with 1/2 tablespoon of 21-0-0 fertilizer four and eight weeks after transplantation. Apply the fertilizer before irrigating, and then water it into the soil. Spread a 3-inch layer of aged compost around each plant about one month after you place eggplants in the ground.
What are the benefits of feeding eggplant?
Feeding eggplants during their growing and fruiting stages improves the overall health of the plant. Healthy plants produce larger fruit in greater quantities. In addition, when growing some varieties of eggplant, fertilizer may reduce bitterness caused by plant stress.
How to grow&feed eggplants?
How to Grow & Feed Eggplants. This member of the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, provides ornamental value, as well as nutritious fruits. Eggplants need nutrient-rich, well-drained soil for the best growth. The plants also need a long, warm growing season of at least 70 days from the date...
What is the best fertilizer for eggplant?
A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) is often recommended for eggplant. Feeding too much nitrogen at this point can result in large, leafy plants that fail to produce fruit.
How do I fertilize my eggplant?
Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil that is fairly high in organic matter. To improve soil fertility, mix 1 inch of well-rotted manure, compost, or a general fertilizer such as 5-10-5 throughout the planting bed about a week before planting. (Apply 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet.
Do eggplant plants need fertilizer?
And when it comes to growing eggplant, fertilizer is essential for healthy growth. Eggplants are heavy feeders, which means they need all the nutrients they can get. The amount of fertilizer you need for your eggplant varies depending on the soil.
How do I keep my eggplant plant healthy?
Choose an area with abundant sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil. Improve native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Keep soil moist but not soggy—soaker hoses are a great option. Keep your plants fed by feeding them regularly with a continuous-release plant food.
How do I make my eggplant bear more fruit?
If you have poor fruit set, hand-pollinate the flowers to help increase production. Use an electric toothbrush to vibrate to flower stems (not the flowers themselves) for a few seconds each to help the pollen move within the flowers. 9. The more frequently the fruits are harvested, the greater the fruit set.
How often should I fertilize eggplants?
weeklyFertilize weekly with a soluble fertilizer. Until the plants start to flower use a balanced fertilizer with a 1-1-1 ratio such as 20-20-20 or 20-30-20. Once flowering starts switch to a high potassium blend such as 9-15-30 or any fertilizer with a 1-1.5-3 or 4 ratio.
Is Epsom salt good for eggplant?
As the plants grow, they need an even moisture supply. They do well with a drip irrigation system, but many watering methods work. When the first blossoms appear, spray the plants with a seaweed extract with one teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved per gallon. The solution improves fruit set.
How often should eggplant be watered?
1 inch per weekEggplant also needs consistent water, at least 1 inch per week. It is better to give one thorough soaking than several frequent, short waterings, because frequent watering promotes shallow roots. Weather and soil type, of course, will affect water demand.
Are coffee grounds good for eggplant plants?
Like a tomato plant or roses, eggplants thrive in acidic soil, and adding coffee grounds is an easy way to ensure your soil reaches the proper pH.
How do you take care of a potted eggplant?
Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly. Add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting and then every few weeks during the season, especially when plants start to bloom. Water deeply and consistently, but don't overwater.
How do you prune an eggplant?
When pruning eggplant, the traditional shape to go for has three stems. You should leave the first main division, where the first two stems diverge from the base, as well as one other strong stem. Remove all others.
Why is my eggplant flowers dropping off?
Eggplant Blossoms Drying Out from Lack of Water When an eggplant plant is stressed, its blossoms will dry up and drop off without producing fruit. The most common reason a eggplant gets stressed is due to a lack of water. Your eggplant needs at least 2 inches (5 cm.) of water a week, more in very hot weather.
How to keep eggplants from weeding?
Spread a 3-inch layer of aged compost around each plant about one month after you place eggplants in the ground. The compost acts as mulch, reducing weeds, keeping the soil warm and conserving soil moisture. It also adds nutrients to the soil.
How deep do eggplant roots grow?
Eggplants develop deep roots that grow up to 4 feet into the soil, but most roots stay in the top 18 inches. The compost and manure provide nutrients and nitrogen while aerating the soil and improving drainage.
How long does it take for eggplant to harden before transplanting?
Harden off the eggplant seedlings two or three weeks before transplanting. Gradually decrease the water and light. Place the seedling outdoors gradually, building up to leaving them out all day and night.
How to grow eggplants in a pot?
Mix the manure or fertilizer into the soil with a shovel. As best as possible, work the material together to 6 inches deep or more so the feed is available as the eggplant’s roots grow longer. Plant eggplant seeds or transplant seedlings into the soil.
What is an eggplant?
By Amma Marfo. Eggplants are a meaty vegetable used in a variety of cultural dishes and can be cooked in any number of ways. While the plants are relatively easy to grow for even novice gardeners, they benefit from fertilizer treatments to aid strong growth, produce flowers and form fruits. Through continued feeding throughout ...
Where do eggplants grow?
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) grows wild in its homeland of South Asia as a perennial plant, though these warm-season vegetables are treated by most gardeners as annuals. Given their tropical and subtropical heritage, eggplants do require relatively high temperatures, similar to tomatoes and peppers (which, like eggplants, ...
What temperature does eggplant grow?
They grow fastest when temperatures are between 70 and 85°F (21 and 30°C)—and very slowly during cooler weather. Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants develop and hang from the branches of a plant that grows several feet in height.
How to tell when eggplant is ripe?
The best way to gauge the time to harvest: Fruits are ripe when their skin first fails to rebound to fingernail pressure. Harvesting is a bit of an art; fruits can taste bitter if picked when underripe or overripe. The skin of the fruit should look glossy and unwrinkled and have a uniform color. If you cut the eggplant open, the seeds should be soft but formed. If the skin looks faded and the seeds inside are dark and hard, the fruit will taste bitter.
How to grow eggs in a sunny spot?
Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil, fairly high in organic matter. Soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.5 for best growth. Use a covering of black plastic mulch to warm soils before setting out transplants .
How long can eggplant be stored in the refrigerator?
Store eggplant in the refrigerator. The optimal conditions for storage are temperatures of 45 to 50 °F and 90-percent relative humidity for one week.
Why is my eggplant oddly shaped?
Strangely-shaped eggplant are the result of inconsistent watering or low moisture.
What is the color of eggplant?
Though eggplants are usually a beautiful dark purple color, their color can vary, and so can the size and shape—from small- to large-fruited.
How to make an eggplant grow?
An easy and all-natural way to do this is to mix a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and water your plant with this solution.
How much space do eggplants need?
Sun and space requirements. Eggplants need quite a bit of room to grow. Plant them where they won’t be shaded out by other plants and give them at least 18” of space away from other plants. Stake and cage them early.
Why are my eggplants turning yellow?
You want to encourage the plant to put its energy into fruiting rather than growing more foliage. Pests and problems. One of the quickest ways to stress out eggplants is not enough water. This can lead to yellowed leaves and low fruit production. Check your eggplant and water them often.
What kind of eggplants are good for stir fry?
The Japanese eggplants are my personal favorites because their skin is thinner, and they yield a more tender fruit. Perfect for stir-fry!
What is the best mix for eggplant?
A good mix would be two parts potting soil, one part sand, and one part compost. Make sure your pot has drainage holes in the bottom. You’ll want to put a layer of organic mulch around the plant as well to help seal in moisture. Be sure you put a cage on eggplants grown in a container.
What size container should I use for eggplant?
If this is the route you wish to go, you will need a pretty large container. A 5-gallon bucket is the minimum I would recommend for growing eggplants. If you have something more significant, use it.
Where do eggplants come from?
Eggplants are native to Asia and a member of the nightshade family, like tomatoes and peppers. They are a fruit, even though we generally think of them as a vegetable. In other parts of the world, eggplants are known as aubergine or brinjal.
How long does it take for eggplants to flower?
Pinch off the flower clusters until the plants are in the garden. When plants are about five inches tall and eight to 10 weeks old , reduce watering. Place plants outside where they will receive wind protection and a couple hours of sunlight.
Why do eggplants need plastic mulch?
Eggplants benefit from black plastic mulch because it helps to heat the soil and reduces root damage.
Why are my eggplants bitter?
When soil moisture levels are inconsistent, eggplant can become bitter and yields will be low. Poor moisture levels can also cause blossom-end rot. Avoid overhead sprinkling. Wet leaves are more disease prone, and soil splashed up onto the leaves can contain disease spores.
What is the relative of eggplant?
Eggplant ( Solanum melongena )is a relative of peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and tobacco.
How to separate a plant with a root ball?
Cut the soil between the plants with a knife so each plant can separate easily with the root ball attached.
What does the plus sign mean on an eggplant?
Plus sign (+) if content is closed, 'X' if content is open. Eggplants are vulnerable to some of the same diseases that affect other plants in the Solanaceae family. These include tomatoes, tomatillos, potatoes, peppers and ground cherries. Early blight can infect eggplant, although this is not common.
Why is my eggplant yellowing?
Verticillium wilt can cause yellowing and wilt in eggplant.
What to use to mulch eggplant?
Straw, compost, and grass clipping are good choices for natural mulch materials. Scatter them around the base of your eggplant seedlings in a thick layer. Be sure to use grass clipping from untreated lawns, as chemicals and fertilizers may harm your plants. Layer at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of mulch to protect your plants.
How to grow eggplant from seed?
For the best results, fill a seed tray with a non-soil growing medium, like vermiculite or compost. Then , plant 1 to 2 seeds in each container and wait for the seedlings to sprout, which can take up to 2 weeks. When the seedlings are 3 inches tall, transfer them into individual pots filled with the same growing medium you used in the seed tray. Once the outdoor temperature reaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you can plant your eggplant seedlings outside. Make sure to plant the seedlings 24 to 30 inches apart so they have room to spread and grow. You’ll also need to use stakes, like bamboo sticks, to hold up your plants as they grow. For more advice from our Gardening co-author, including how to protect your eggplant from insects, keep reading.
How long does it take for eggplant seeds to germinate?
Eggplants seeds will grow as soon as 5 days or in as long as 2 weeks, depending on the temperature they are kept at. Warmer temperatures will spur a quicker germination period. Try to maintain a temperature of at least 65 °F (18 °C) for your eggplant seeds while they are germinating.
How to keep bugs off eggplant?
Flea beetles are tiny black insects that feed on plant leaves and can harm eggplant crops. Check the upper and lower leaves of your eggplants for these bugs and remove them by hand. Destroy the bugs to keep them from returning or reproducing.
How tall does eggplant grow?
Be sure to keep eggplants warm and watered to ensure their healthy growth. The plants will grow several feet in height and should be staked for support early in the growing process. After harvesting eggplant, you can enjoy it in a variety of dishes in a variety of dishes, including eggplant Parmesan and moussaka. Steps.
How much sun do eggplants need?
Eggplants require very high temperatures to grow and thrive in a garden. Ideally, choose a spot that gets sun for more than 6 hours per day to plant your eggplants. If this is not possible, plant eggplants in a spot that get only partial shade.
How to protect eggplant from cold?
Use row covers to protect your eggplants. Row covers are great for protecting eggplants from the cold, disease, and insects. Row covers are long pieces of mesh material that cover plants and offer them protection. Lay row covers over your eggplants and fold over the edges on each side.
How to keep eggplants fresh?
If you try to pull them off, you will most likely damage the plant, the fruit or both. Eggplants don’t keep well. You can store them for about a week in the refrigerator.
How hot should the soil be for eggplants?
They grow during short, hot seasons, so be aware of soil and air temperatures as you plan how and when to get eggplants started: If starting from seeds, make sure the soil is between 75- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit ...
Can you pick eggplants that are not fully mature?
You can wait until each eggplant is a mature size for its variety to harvest, but you can also pick those that are not fully mature. When smaller, the fruits will be tender in texture and flavor. Don’t let eggplants stay on the plant past maturity; they will not retain their quality.
Do eggplants need standing water?
Amend if necessary to make sure the plants will get enough nutrients and will not be in standing water. Eggplants do best when the soil is consistent soil moisture. Water regularly, especially when the plants are young so that they develop deep roots.
Can eggplants grow in a vegetable garden?
Image by izzzy71. Growing eggplants in the veggie garden can be so rewarding when the time comes to harvest these tasty, versatile plants. There are several varieties to choose from with a range of sizes, shapes, and colors. By understanding what eggplants need to grow and thrive, you can ensure a good harvest.
