I really like to eat eggplant grilled with olive oil or chopped in pasta sauce. I thought this would be great to grow and try a few varieties. I started my eggplant seeds inside in late March. They were a little difficult to get going. I learned that the basement was too cold for them so I had to bring the plants upstairs into my south facing kitchen window to heat things up. Once they felt that warm sunshine the little sprouts came right up. They stopped growing once they were a couple inches tall. I spoke to the owner at a local garden shop and he recommended giving them a diluted dose of fertilizer. He was absolutely right. As soon as they got that little boost they began growing again. I placed them outside and they quickly took off. I've never seen a full grown eggplant plant so I just didn't realize how large they will get. Apparently they can grow to 4 feet tall! I am growing 3 different varieties. I grew one variety from seed and bought the other 2 varieties from the garden store. This is such a beautiful plant. It has deep green leaves with a purple hue around the edges. We had some hail a couple of weeks ago and it absolutely shredded the larger plant leaves. I was very surprised to see thorns on the eggplant leaves and stem. Eggplants belong to the toxic nightshade family as do potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. The fruit itself isn't poisonous but the leaves and stems are so do not eat those. You do not need to hand pollinate eggplants as they're self pollinators. I just had the first flower bloom about 10 days ago and now are there are lots of blooms and little eggplants growing. In general, I find that eggplants want lots of heat from sunshine, lots of water and consistent application of fertilizer.
Rosita Eggplant
This variety matures in 80 days. It will produce 8in by 4in neon, lavender-pink fruits. Skin is tender and flavor isn't bitter. Produces high yields. This heirloom was developed in Puerto Rico in the 1940's.
This variety matures in 80 days. It will produce 8in by 4in neon, lavender-pink fruits. Skin is tender and flavor isn't bitter. Produces high yields. This heirloom was developed in Puerto Rico in the 1940's.
Dusky Eggplant
This variety matures in 63 days.This is a hybrid of the Black beauty variety. Dusky produces smaller fruit and does it 2 weeks faster than its predecessor. This will produce 5in to 7in oval fruits.
This variety matures in 63 days.This is a hybrid of the Black beauty variety. Dusky produces smaller fruit and does it 2 weeks faster than its predecessor. This will produce 5in to 7in oval fruits.
Hansel Eggplant
This particular variety was bred to feature only the best qualities of the eggplant. When this eggplant is small there are hardly any seeds. The skin is tender and not bitter. This takes 52 days to mature. This variety yields 3in to 10 in elongated fruits.
This particular variety was bred to feature only the best qualities of the eggplant. When this eggplant is small there are hardly any seeds. The skin is tender and not bitter. This takes 52 days to mature. This variety yields 3in to 10 in elongated fruits.