How To Plant Japanese Eggplant

November 25, 2023 Post a Comment

How to plant japanese eggplant

Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants should be staked for optimum growth and yield (Figure 2). Staking keeps the eggplant fruit from touching the ground, which reduces disease and improves fruit shape, particularly on elongated fruit. Staking also makes harvesting easier.

When should I plant Japanese eggplant?

Plant eggplant seeds outdoors after the last frost and when the night temperatures are at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Bonnie Plants. The seeds can germinate quickly when the temperature is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.

How many Japanese eggplants can you get from one plant?

The long, slender Japanese eggplant has a thinner skin and more delicate flavor. 'Ichiban': 10- to 12-inch, slim, purple/black fruit; bears until frost. Expect a dozen or more fruit from one plant.

How tall do Japanese eggplants grow?

The plants grow about 2 feet tall and wide, and produce gorgeous dark, deep purple eggplants with matching purple calyxes. These slender fruits grow about 9-10 inches long, and have a mild delicate flavor.

What should you not plant next to eggplant?

What Not To Plant With Eggplant. Do not plant fennel near your eggplant. Fennel inhibits growth in many plants, including eggplant. Geraniums can host diseases that also affect eggplant such as leaf blight and root rot, so it is best to avoid planting them with eggplant.

Does eggplant need to be watered everyday?

Water eggplant deeply and infrequently, applying 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulching around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.

How long does it take for Japanese eggplant to grow?

As a warm-weather crop, your Japanese eggplants won't survive the frost. Timing when you plant them plays a big role in how quickly they grow. Roughly, they will be ready for harvest 65 to 80 days after transplanting. Depending on your climate, this should be around July through September.

Where is the best place to plant eggplant?

Plant the eggplant seedlings in a sunny spot — a place that gets between six and eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil should be well draining and amended with plenty of compost. Eggplant grows best in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0, which is a range of slightly acidic to precisely neutral.

What is the best month to plant eggplant?

4. How to grow eggplant? Plant eggplant at the correct time

Start seeds indoors: January – February and May – July.
Plant transplants outside: March – April and July 15 – September.

How big should Japanese eggplant be before picking?

Signs of Ripe Japanese Eggplant If you press your finger on the skin, it shouldn't leave a dent in the flesh. Pick your eggplants before while they're still young for the best flavor and texture. They should only be from 3 to 6 inches long, which is young enough for the sweetest flavor.

Should I pinch off first eggplant flowers?

As your eggplant starts to bloom, pinch the first buds you see coming through. Use your fingers to gently pinch the buds right where they meet the stem of the plant. This encourages your plant to put more energy into growing sturdy stalks and deep roots instead of producing new fruit right away.

Should I remove first eggplant flowers?

After the eggplant begins to flower, clip the lower leaflets from the main branch. Removing these leaves boosts air circulation and allows light to penetrate the canopy.

Do you need 2 eggplants to produce fruit?

But we'll briefly cover the basics just to get them squared away. Aubergines are self-fertile, which means each individual flower contains all the parts it needs in order to reproduce.

Do eggplants grow back every year?

You sure can! It's called overwintering. And, if your climate is warm enough (or you can keep the plant warm enough) you can keep your same eggplant plant alive for years to come. You can do this with a variety of other plants too, such as peppers (hot or sweet), tomatoes, & okra!

How many eggplants should I plant?

In containers, plant one per 18 to 24 inch container. Before fruits form, stake the stems to provide extra late-season support. Eggplant harvested at the right time will have hard flesh and small seeds. If fruit is over mature, the seeds will be large and tough and taste bitter.

What is a good companion for eggplant?

All varieties of beans make good eggplant companions including pole beans, green beans, and bush beans. Pepper: Hot peppers and sweet peppers both make good companions for eggplant. They are in the same family, so being that they are both nightshade plants, they have similar needs in terms of nutrient.

Can I plant tomato and eggplant together?

Nightshades: Other members of the nightshade family, like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, make good companions for eggplants because they share similar growing requirements.

Is coffee grounds good for eggplants?

Coffee grounds have many uses outside the kitchen, and one of them involves improving the acidity of your eggplant's soil. What plants like coffee grounds? 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.

Do eggplants grow well in pots?

Eggplants in pots are as easy to grow as tomatoes in pots. They need large enough containers to support the roots of such a heavy plant, a well draining medium, extra food and consistent water and, of course, the right container.

How many months does eggplant bear fruit?

The majority of eggplants reach their full maturity and are ready for harvesting 60-80 days after transplanting. As a rule of thumb, farmers harvest eggplants before their seeds turn brown.