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Eggplants are ready to harvest as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. Harvest fruits with skin that is glossy and thin. Eggplants can be harvested when they are small, though growing them longer allows for a larger harvest.
How long does it take for eggplant to bear fruit?
Harvest eggplant 65 to 80 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. When starting from seed, expect 100 to 120 days to maturity. July, August, and September (even into October) are all harvest months for eggplant, depending on where you live and the variety you planted.
How long does it take for eggplant to grow after flowering?
How long does it take for eggplant to grow after flowering? Depending on the variety and the region in which you are gardening, different cultivars of eggplant will develop mature fruit within 50 to 80 days after flowering.
Is it hard to grow eggplant?
Ben Vanheems has covered growing eggplant in cooler climates, but even if you have plenty of heat, eggplant can be a tricky crop. After growing eggplant in several different places, I have learned five valuable tips worth sharing.
How many eggplants do you get per plant?
Eggplants typically grow 18 to 36 inches tall with a spread of 24 to 36 inches. Each plant bears between two to 12 fruits, although this number varies based on the variety and growing conditions. Keep reading to learn how to grow this summer-loving beauty for yourself.
How do you get eggplant to bear fruit?
Make sure your eggplants receive at least two inches of water per week. They’ll need more than that when the weather is particularly hot. Eggplant blooms are pollinated by the wind. These plants don’t depend on pollinating insects like bees to get the job done.
What month do you plant eggplant?
When to Plant Eggplant Eggplants can only grow in warm soil—50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. The best time to plant eggplant is in late spring after the last threat of frost. Eggplants have a long growing season, so you’ll need to start them indoors around eight weeks before your region’s last frost date.
Do eggplants grow from the flower?
Eggplant is a self pollinating plant meaning that it has both female and male organs in one flower. The fruit starts in the female part of the flower when it is pollinated with male pollen. Approximately, it takes up to 8 weeks for an eggplant to flower.
Do eggplant flowers become fruit?
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.
Do eggplants keep producing?
Although eggplants will keep growing and flowering, they are more productive if cut back and allowed to regrow during late summer. Cut plants to about 6 to 8 inches in early August, cut at a crotch, fertilize and allow them to regrow. Fertilize and keep soils moist to force them to regrow.
How long does it take to grow an eggplant?
Eggplants are ready to harvest as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. Harvest fruits with skin that is glossy and thin. Eggplants can be harvested when they are small, though growing them longer allows for a larger harvest.
Do eggplants grow well in containers?
Even if you garden in a small garden bed, or grow your vegetables in containers on the patio or balcony, you can grow eggplant. Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly.
Do eggplants grow back every year?
The plant is in the same Solanaceae family as tomatoes and peppers, so it may grow from year to year, depending on the climate. However, the old plants and the new ones initially grew at the same rate and yielded the same number and size of fruits.
How much do eggplants produce?
Eggplants can yield 500 to 700 bushels (33 pounds per bushel) per acre. Eggplants are tender and should be handled carefully. Eggplants can be stored for up to one week at 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 to 95 percent relative humidity.
Do you need 2 eggplants to produce fruit?
The answer is that the eggplant is self-pollinating due to its “perfect” or “complete” flowers. Perfect flowers contain both anthers (which produce pollen) and pistils (which receive the pollen). You can even say “There, there, good flower,” but it’s not really necessary.
Do I need 2 eggplant plants?
Eggplants grow into large, stately plants that need plenty of elbow room. In containers, plant one per 18 to 24 inch container. Before fruits form, stake the stems to provide extra late-season support.
Why is my eggplant plant not producing fruit?
Eggplants become stressed and stop producing fruit for several reasons, mainly insufficient water and temperatures above 90°F (32°C). Aside from dry conditions, flowers could be dropping because of cold weather, pollination issues, soil deficiencies, or pest damage.
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 can you tell a male from a female eggplant?
Answer: Male eggplants have fewer seeds and are less likely to be bitter. To differentiate between male and female eggplants, inspect the flower end. The male has a small, round, smooth end; the female has an irregular, less smooth end.
When can you plant eggplant outside?
Eggplant needs warm conditions, and will not thrive during a cool season. If you buy plants from a garden center, choose sturdy plants up to a foot tall. Start eggplant seeds about eight weeks before planting outside. Transplant outdoors after nighttime low temperatures have risen above 50°F.
Does eggplant need full sun?
As a basic rule of thumb, vegetables grown for their fruit or roots—such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes, or carrots—require full sun, which is defined as a garden location that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day. Keep in mind, though, that no vegetable can thrive in deep, dense shade.
How do you grow eggplant in Australia?
How to grow eggplant in a pot Choose a pot at least 300mm wide and deep and position in full sun. Fill pot with a quality potting mix, like Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Sow seeds. Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food. A regular harvest promotes new growth.
