There is nothing better than eating freshly picked ripe eggplants, but the problem with this vegetable is that it doesn’t grow easily. But if you are planning to grow eggplants, then you must know how to grow eggplants. In this article, I will share some important tips on how to grow eggplants.
Growing eggplants is a very rewarding process. They are the perfect crop for beginners as it doesn’t require much work and they can be grown at home. There are two ways to grow eggplants. You can grow them from seeds or you can start with plants that you have bought from a store. In this article, we are going to share with you all the steps on how to grow eggplants.
Eggplant is well adapted to high temperatures and rainfall. Growing Eggplant is the best vegetable for the poor or when other vegetables are in short supply. Eggplant has many varieties depending on the area. Eggplant can be grown indoors and outdoors. You may make many delicious recipes for Eggplant. Similarly, if you take Eggplant more or in daily consumption, they may cause many side effects. The Eggplant was affected by many diseases during its growing time. Moreover, eggplants are harvested and preserved.
Keep reading the article to know how to grow Eggplants?.
How to grow eggplants? Step by Step Guide
The wild form of the Eggplant is believed to be found in India. Eggplants are widely and extensively grown in southern China, Indonesia, Philippians. Perhaps, you can grow Eggplant if you have your greenhouse attached or a large sunroom and can afford the high electricity bill to compensate for artificial sunlight for growing eggplants. Eggplants are usually grown in the field or gardens by transplanting outdoors. But in some areas where the season of eggplant growing is short, the Eggplant started in protected buds. About 8 to 10 weeks are required for Eggplant to grow in a greenhouse for their transplanting process.
In the greenhouse, the growing process is rapid interrupted things are the least which cause the stagnant plant. Woody hard eggplants transplanting has little value. The Eggplant is sensitive to cool weather, planted in spring weather. May prepare the Eggplant two weeks earlier if they are protected by protection cover. Eggplants can be grown in the home vegetable garden; you can grow them in pots. You can grow eggplants indoors when you feel cold in the garden outside. Pyramid garden is a new product used for vegetables including, Eggplant to grow. If you grow Eggplant inside, you can use two methods as aeroponics and hydrophobic. Thus, growing Eggplant is much easier.
How do eggplants grow?
Eggplants are not challenging to grow. Many people can grow Eggplant beautiful and huge. They are well growing in a home garden, containers, and pots. Not everyone finds Eggplant easy to grow. You have either got perfect growing conditions or an eggplant purple thumb. I adore eggplants and try growing them every year. Eggplant growing starts with a high nitrogen soil mix. Keep it well, water (four times daily for fifteen minutes at a time which is probably more than it needs but, since the soil is quite porous, it never gets waterlogged). Give it lots of sun and heat. Eggplant is a Mediterranean vegetable so, it’s well adapted to hot, sunny conditions.
Another thing is to give your eggplant plenty of space. Don’tDon’t plant anything else any closer than 24 inches. To grow eggplants from cuttings, first, take your cutting from existing plants at the end of that growing season and start them indoors. Wait a couple of weeks after the last frost to ensure warm weather is on its way before moving them into the garden, as eggplants need warm soil to grow. Also, stake them once they start getting tall or fall over and break their stem and kill the plant.
Eggplant growing stages
- Seeds– first of all, sow the seeds in warm soil with a depth of 1/4. Spacing the seeds with large-fruited at least 3 inches and dwarf fruited 2 inches. If you are planting the seeds in rows, then spacing them 3-4 feet (depending upon the size of the variety of the sources)
- Seedlings– seeds germination time is 10 to 12 days. When the seeds germinate, the seedling reaches the growth of transplanting in six to ten weeks. Seedlings may develop 2- 4 leaves and then be ready enough to transplant. Don’tDon’t keep in cold temperature because cold temperature causes the death of the seedling.
- Adult plants- Eggplant mature in 70-120 days. Maturity depends on a variety of eggplants. When Eggplant is mature, they have the main stem and other branches out from the main stem. Some types of eggplant stem are hairy.
- Flowers – once the Eggplant is at its maturity, they develop purple star-shaped flowers. Each flower has both male and female organs. Flowers are self-pollinated.
- Fruits- the fruit is developing from the female part of the flower. It can be purple, white, and striped depending on the variety of Eggplant.
Soil preparation
The following factors help to prepare the soil:
- PH of the soil
- moisture and drainage
- The temperature of the soil
- Nutrients
For Eggplant must be a fertile combination of manure and commercial fertilizers and thoroughly prepared. Supply fertilizers to plants is a good source of soil enrichment. In Tropic areas, the Eggplant is grown in sandy soil, where it grows well. The pH of soils is 5.5 to 6.8 plants better grow in this PH. Clay soil results in waterlogging it will cause many diseases. For soil preparation, a 5-8-7 mixture is good. Overall by spreading soil compost, you can give supplements in the soil for practice if you want to grow the Eggplant.
Always check the result of the soil to what environment the Eggplant does best in acid, basic, or natural. Clean all the weeds from the ground and make them lose. If the soil is high in organic compost, the Eggplant will grow better. Prepare the soil with humus drainage before transplanting the Eggplant because Eggplant does not like boggy soils. Boggy soils cause fungal disease in the soil, at the time of transplantation from outdoors garden eggplant like the minimum temperature of the ground such as 65 degrees. Before transplanting of Eggplant, cover that soil with black plastic to make the soil warm.
How to grow eggplants in containers?
Eggplant is a great vegetable and can be grown anywhere. Eggplant will very well succeed in containers/pots. For eggplants, there few things that you must know for a successful harvest. The first thing is pot size eggplant grow big; they need a big pot. Use at least 16 inches wide pot for them. For planting them first, sow their seeds separately in a seeding tray, and when saplings are 25 days old, you can transfer them to your desired spot. You can plant them outdoors when the frost season is over. After that, you can grow them all summer.
Eggplant is a hardy plant and can handle a lot of heat. But if it gets too hot, cover them with the green sheet. As for water, water them when the soil starts to turn dry from earlier water. They are drought-tolerant, but regular water will ensure their good growth. Eggplant can’t be grown in shady they need plenty of sunlight for good development. In the good bright direct sunlight, they grow fast and healthy. Their flowers are self-pollinating, and they don’t need insects for pollination. As for fruit, you have to grow it in a bigger pot now. As the fruit starts to develop on any branch, it tends to get heavy due to fruit weight. Due to this, if the wind comes, there are chances of breaking that branch. Always use containers in black color because they are good absorbers of heat.
Eggplant growing tips
To get the best-tasting eggplants. Here are some tips:
- Choosing the variety: There are many varieties of growing Eggplant. In all types of eggplants, their care tips are standard. If you want the best-tasting variety for growing, you have experience in selection.
- Seed: Seed sowing eggplant grows best in warm conditions. The right time to plant seeds is when the soil temperature is 70- and 80- degrees Fahrenheit.
- Choosing containers: Use large size containers at least 12 to 15 inches for growing eggplants. If you are growing them on a terrace, uses fabric grow bags. These fabrics bags follow the principles of air pruning which is so much beneficial.
- Potting soil mix: A well-drainage soil is essential for proper root growth. A simple mix formula is 40% garden soil, 4o% coco-peat, and 20% compost like decomposed cow dung.
- Staking/support: Once the Eggplant begins to start growing, this is time to install stakes or supports to keep the plants from falling over.
- Sunlight: Whether you are growing Eggplant for best results. Place them where plenty of sunlight falls. Also, please keep them in a spot where pollinator insects like butterflies are reaching.
- Watering: This is an essential factor. If you are watering correctly, this can result in fruit drop-off or low quality, small size fruits.
- Fertilizers: This is another essential tip if you won’t have many flowers and healthy fruiting in growing Eggplant. During the growth of eggplant flowering and fruit formation, feed them nutrient elements.
- Pest control: Eggplant is occasionally affected by pests like flea beetles, powdery mildew, and whiteflies best is prevented by spraying neem oil once in 15 days.
Growing eggplant from seeds
If you want to grow Eggplant from seeds, the first thing to do is sow a good variety of sources. Either you are growing in containers or in-ground. You can plant the seed directly in-ground or in containers or seedling trays and then go for transplant. Sow the seeds in the soil at a depth of about 5 to 10mm. Pressed the sowing seeds to make them flat with your hand. Teed takes time to germinate in one to two weeks. Give daily water rand the time when the soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering the seeds; it may cause fungal diseases. When you supply water, make sure to give deep and through so that water reaches to roots. Protect the source from excessive moisture and drying. A few weeks after germination, leaves start to grow.
Eggplants growing guide
when you are growing eggplants, some guidance is needed are:
- soil required: starting mix 40% to 50% compost like vermicompost
- Use good quality plastic pot, clay pot, or cement pot. At the bottom of the pot, make a hole for drainage.
- A good absorber of heat.
- If you are a vegetarian, add organic rock phosphate.
- Two organic fertilizers make roots stronger. Plant grow healthy.
- Support the growing Eggplant as they loaded up with fruits.
- You can also tie strings to support when Eggplant grow
- Harvest eggplant on time.
- The best thing about eggplants fruits, is they are used even if it is small.
- Eggplant is affected by many pests, mix neem oil and water and spray them once a week.
Best eggplant variety to grow
There are many varieties of Eggplant like the fairy tale, white Eggplant, Indian Eggplant, American Eggplant, green Eggplant, Japanese Eggplant, Italian, and many more.
Some varieties of Eggplant are disease resistant. Another resistance is the importance of the color, size, taste, and shape of the fruit.
Fairy tale
The fairy tale variety of Eggplant is white with purple strips on it. Fairy tales are sweet and, they contain few seeds.
White eggplant
The variety of white Eggplant is few. It is familiar due to its stark white skin. But inside, they are similar to other eggplants. All eggplants are white when they grow but, after maturation, they change their color according to their variety.
Indian eggplant
Indian eggplants are dark reddish-purple. They are small round-shaped and resemble grapes, and cherries are also called baby eggplant.
American eggplant
Use it for what you eat. They are easy to find in supermarkets. Their color is deep purple.
Green eggplant
Green Eggplant is pale-green and, their texture is creamy when they are cooking.
Japanese eggplant
They are calendars, long in shape, with deep purple. It is sweet. Japanese Eggplant is easy to cook.
Italian eggplant
They are small and sweet. Everyone uses it anywhere.
What is the best way to plant eggplant?
Eggplant grows on vines
Eggplant comes in different sizes depending on their varieties. Like another plant, the Eggplant also needs support. When Eggplant gets enough light and drainage, they become long. Fruits of Eggplant are heavy in size. They need support. Otherwise, their weight is on the branches, and the component lowers; there is the chance of breaking that branch. It would be best if you supported the Eggplant when the Eggplant is small. Place the supporting stake nearby plant, use any support like garden twine, pantyhose looped, laces. Change stake when it grows. Stake eggplant fruits when they are touching the ground. Due to this fruit’s shape is maintained and prevented from disease. Staking Eggplant is easy to harvest. If you grow Eggplant in pots, you can arrange a cage or another mechanism to support the bigger pot.
Also read the article How to Grow Purple Sweet Potato Vine?
Eggplant feeding
If you want to have many flowers and healthy fruit in eggplants, feed them as needed. For eggplants, supply them with recommended fertilizers, given in every one or two weeks. During flowering and fruit formation, if you do not feed them healthy nutrients. They will not produce fruit as well as start falling flowers. You can make a cocktail of organic fertilizer, mix all fertilizers and calculate nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Eggplant adapted to warm weather so, keep them in full sunlight and heat. For stronger roots, use the soil mix formula. A good compost gives the most essential macro and micronutrients. Since the crop occupies the soil, it is necessary to keep feeding them with ample nutrients. Spray weekly once or twice until all pests are diminished. Five to 10ml neem oil mixed in water and spray.
Eggplant caring
When you plant a new eggplant, it defiantly needs care for its better growth. The young eggplants are sprayed, with approved chemicals to prevent themselves from fungus and other insects. Some sprays are not used before the occurring problem. And it also depends on the country to the country their laws didn’t allow them to use any pesticides, use of local authorities without consultation. Weed is also creating a problem for eggplant roots cultivate them when you found them along with the plant.
Approved herbicides are often used to weed control eggplant. The use of additional fertilizers can affect the Eggplant. Give favorable conditions to Eggplant. Eggplant planting is maintained to become economically strong. Keep them away from the shady areas, and place eggplant where plenty of sunlight. Cultivate them soon when planting them in the garden, and continue cultivating for ten days at intervals. Take care of eggplant foliage; don’t cultivate when they wet. Eggplants are warm-weather lovers who protect them from the cold. They need well-drained soil.
Eggplant spacing
Eggplant needs good environmental conditions for growth. Planting time ensures that plant with spacing. If you do not give them space, they will destroy and not grow because they need ample space for their roots. They also need plenty of sunlight. Planting them in the garden requires at least 18 and 36 inches apart, in rows of 30 to 36 inches.
Eggplant harvesting and preservation
Eggplant is a warm-weather vegetable harvested in mid to late summer when the plant is one-third grown. Or continue until the fruit developed. You can harvest Eggplant at any time after they have reached full size. Harvest eggplant when they are firm and large enough to eat. But taking them from the plant before seeds begin to harden.
When fruit and stem are heavy, harvest by cutting the stem with a knife, taking care of branches while cutting the stem. For harvesting fruit of pot-grown Eggplant don’t wait for too long as they won’t grow too big. Instead, they will turn hard inside if you wait too long. So harvest them when round ones are 5 inches in diameter. They need to harvest about 16 to 24 weeks after planting. Mature Eggplant is preserved month or two months in the house. Would you please put them in Lightroom and keep maintaining the temperature below freezing?
Nutritional Value of Eggplant
Eggplant recipes
Eggplant is the best vegetable to eat. Everyone cook at their homes, and restaurants. There are many different delicious recipes you can try.
Baigan ka bharta
It is the most common dish which everyone must have tasted once in their life. Aubergine mush (made from roasted Eggplant) with fresh green peas pan fry with homemade ghee garnished with freshly chopped green chilies and a tint of lemon juice. Tomato and onions are also added.
Hunkar legend
It is an Ottoman Turkish dish that combines a smoked eggplant puree with cheese and serves it under a bed of braised lamb.
Begun
Sliced Eggplant dipped in chickpea flour. It is an evening snack or appetizer served with puffed rice, delicious and soft inside.
Slices sprinkled
Cut the Eggplant into slices. Mix the red chili, salt, pepper oregano, make it spice, and deep-fried them.
Eggplant rollatini
slice eggplant into thin slices. Bowl the eggs, add salt, pepper oregano, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese. Whip them good. Put your eggplant slices in whipped eggs and put in bread crumbs. Deep fry them.
Eggplant problems, disease, and their remedies
Eggplants are free in Tropic areas, but like other plants, Eggplant also faces many problems, including diseases. Some most common conditions of Eggplant are:
Powdery mildew
In eggplants, many powdery mildew organisms occur. It is reported that this disease is common in green-house eggplant seedlings. They appear on the upper side of the left and left yellow spots.
Remedy: this powdery mildew is controlled by sulfur dust and sprays.
Fusarium wilt
Fusarium wilt of Eggplant occurs in the part of Europe and Asia. Wilt attacks the small veins of the leaves while the central veins remain green. Leaves turn yellow, wilt, and die.
Remedy: spray and maintain temperature.
Root-knot nematodes
Affect the eggplant’s root galls.
Remedy: soil treatment, resistant varieties.
Aphids
Excellent spots beneath the leaf.
Remedy: malathion
Fruit border
They damage the fruit and shoot.
Remedy: remove the affected parts, heat treatment.
Fruit rot and wilt are two severe diseases of Eggplant. Fruit rot leaves lesions on the lower part of the stem, which may cause the whole leaf to turn brown. This disease occurs in winters. To control the fruit rot, use clean seed and spray weekly. Wilt is common in cooler regions. It is not carried by the seed but seems to persist in the soil. Wilt decrease the productivity of the Eggplant, plant becomes stunting, resulting in the death of the Eggplant.
Conclusion
Hence, anyone can grow eggplants. Eggplants are sensitive to cool weather. It is a subtropical plant that requires a long growing season in warm weather to produce yield fruit. Eggplant is a medium plant. It grows more than two million productions. They are grown in the eastern hemisphere, the largest in China, India, Bengal, and Indonesia. Eggplant has many varieties; which bear fruit in many different colors, shapes taste according to their type. Eggplants are self-pollinated. Eggplant contains many nutrients, for example, vitamins, iron, and potassium.
Eggplant can grow in the garden, in containers/pots. Eggplants need support when they grow. They need fertilizers for good health. Soil composition is most important, and we can use some garden soil, dry and granular soil, and cow manure. We can spread mustered cake over fertilizer. Growing Eggplant is easy, but not always. You made many recipes as your choice eggplants make any food delicious. They are harvested at the time, and we can also preserve them in lightrooms. e Eggplants are affected by many pests and insects, diseases caused by fungus, bacteria, and viruses, which result in damage to eggplant leaves, stems, roots, and shoots. They can solve or reduce disease in many ways like spray, and temperature. The world vegetable center developed and promoted a strategy for the management of eggplant fruits and shoots.
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