Eggplant problem??

giant_trainer Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:51 pm

What's eating my eggplant?? I can see no pest but something is obviously eating at it. Anyone know what??

eggplant - Eggplant problem?? Img_2012

southern gardener Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:00 pm

looks like flea beetle damage to me. They are tiny shiny black little bugs that hop really fast. We used Sluggo plus, a little scratched into the top inch of the soil. One application and the were gone Smile

**camprn** Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:41 pm

Flea beetles most likely. They love aubergine. Your plants look great and the beetles will soon pass.

Marc Iverson Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:44 pm

Sure looks like flea beetles.

Sluggo works on flea beetles? Hmm, I didn't know that. Cool.

**camprn** Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:38 pm

Marc Iverson wrote:Sure looks like flea beetles.

Sluggo works on flea beetles? Hmm, I didn't know that. Cool.

Speaking from experience, with healthy aubergine plants there really is no need to use a insect control product for flea beetles (unless the leaves become like lace) as the infestation soon wanes and the plant becomes stronger during the rest of the season... Flea beetles will not last all season.
Dont forget to pinch the top of the plant to make it bush out more and give you more fruit. What a Face

giant_trainer Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:11 pm

Pinch the top off eggplant?? Really?

yolos Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:21 pm

How do you determine when to pinch the top out. By height of plant or number of leaves ??? or some other way ??

**camprn** Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:45 pm

yolos wrote:How do you determine when to pinch the top out. By height of plant or number of leaves ??? or some other way ??

I usually do it when the plant is about 10"-12" tall. All you have to do is pinch the top most growing tip. Don't break off several inches, just the tip. And dont forget to stake them when they are small.

**sanderson** Thu Jun 05, 2014 2:38 am

Good grief. Something else to pinch and stake. I just keep on learning here . . . Very Happy

Windmere Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:01 am

Wow. My eggplant also has evidence of flea beetles. I was wondering what was going on with it. I'm glad they eventually go away. Thanks for these posts everyone!

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