Eggplants

PB 5/28/2010, 10:02 pm

I had a few squares left, so while at the nursery this week. I got some eggplant plants. I have never grown eggplant, so any suggestions would be appreciated. After eating vegetable lasagna at a local restaurant I decided eggplant was yummy!! How many to a square? Growing traits? I know NOTHING about eggplant except it is a purpley round veggie!!

Megan 5/29/2010, 8:15 am

I have never grown eggplant, but I know it comes in many colors, sizes and shapes! Really fascinating. I didn't have room to try to squeeze one in this year...unless I rip up the other side of the walk. Hm.... :scratch:

Links:

How to grow eggplant

Eggplant varieties at Baker Seeds

**camprn** 5/29/2010, 1:32 pm

I had some great eggplants in 4 gallon buckets last year!

dmpower 5/29/2010, 5:26 pm

This is also my first year with eggplants, and I have had a terrible time with rabbids and flea beetles. I have gone through 3 plants already - arghhh. All I can say, is watch closely, they may disappear!
Good luck

sceleste54 5/29/2010, 5:50 pm

I grew Ichiban variety for the first time last year., grew them in big pots. I didn't even like eggplant, decided to try growing one for the heck of it and ended up really enjoying the fresh ones ! I too had flea beatle damage on the leaves, didn't seem to slow the plant down any. I just tried to keep it moist in the hottest weather, but not wet, full sun. The plants produced one fruit after another, and every one was excellent !! My favorite way to fix them was sliced and fried.

trustingHim 5/29/2010, 6:22 pm

That sounds so good! I'm waiting for my first to start growing. I've had two blooms so far, but nothing else. Since they are in the same family as tomatoes, are they pollinated the same way, or do they require a male and female bloom?

plb 6/3/2010, 3:17 am

Grow one plant per square. They need warm weather, and lot of water. If you want to help with the pollination, pass a watercolor brush over the flowers to help the pollen move. They'll probably need support since the fruit are heavy. Don't wait until they're too big, supermarket size before harvesting them; they'll be nicer when they're a bit smaller.
I love eggplants, and there are a lot of ways to cook them. Slice them thin, grill them, add salt and a drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle with chopped basil. Or slice them, dip them in a beaten egg and then in flour and fry. You can look for some more complicated but delicious recipe, such as eggplant parmigiana or stuffed eggplant.

Little Thumb 6/3/2010, 11:38 am

I am looking forward to having fresh garden eggplant. Does it matter if your plants start to flower before they go into the ground? I have some plants patiently waiting their turn in the SFG. I had one beautiful flower on my eggplant and after a few days it fel off. I think I will try the paintbrush trick until I get them in the ground. Will it hurt the fruit if they start growing fruit before it is in the ground?

Little Thumb

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