For many of us , the word mad apple predicate a split - drop shaped , sheeny empurpled vegetable that we can grill or prepare parmigiana style . In fact , there are many sort , including some that , true to its name , are about the size , shape and semblance of white chicken bollock . It is sincerely external , call aubergine and melanzane in the Mediterranean part and brinal in its aboriginal India and South Asia . Australian touch to them broadly speaking as canistel . In parts of Africa it is called garden eggs . And it has as many panache of prep as it has names .
Eggplant is a appendage of the Solonaceae or nightshade family , relate to tomato , capsicum pepper plant , potatoes and tobacco . The plants have prickly stems and generally long , lobate leaves . flush range in color from white to purple and can be quite attractive , which , along with their colourful fruits , make them adaptable as annual landscape plants . Heavily laden plants may need documentation as yield matures .
Botanically , eggplant is classified as a yield , with its many small comestible seeds . They are well glean before reaching full sizing , both because their nicotine content adds a bitter appreciation to old fruit and because leave mature yield unpicked reduces plant productivity .
grow Conditions
Eggplants are tropical perennials , but for most gardeners they are grown as annuals in Zones 5 - 12 .
Eggplants love heat energy . seed pullulate well between 70 and 90 degrees . A hotness lustrelessness is a definite plus and a formative cover for the seed tray can also aid sprouting . Growing time is typically between 100 and 140 days from germination to reap , depending on variety . Start seeds 6 - 8 calendar week before last frost and harden plant off for a duo more week before transplantation . Warming soil with black charge plate and/or maturate in parent beds or container can furnish an earlier and smoother transition for transplanting .
Outdoors they need full sunshine and are fleshy feeder , require fertile , well - drained soil , high in organic subject . The pH should be slightly acid , in the 6 - 7 range of a function . Plants need consistent soil moisture , about an inch of water per week . Plant 18 - 24 ” aside in rows 36 ” astray . As note , they take warm temperature with nighttime time temporary worker of 70º or higher . When conditions are good , harvest home should begin 55 - 85 daytime from transplant . They are ready to pick when lustrous and when the yield has a small give when wedge softly . If the tegument has dulled and the cum are dark , discard them . Because stems are tough , yield should be trim down from the plant rather than rend off . stalk are bristled so wearing glove may make sensation .
If plants are bearing into the fall , sneak efflorescence 2 - 4 week before expect frost to encourage ripening of already formed fruit .
Pest and Disease Concerns
The eggplant flea mallet is the major pest headache . It is a fatal oval - work beetle that progresses from egg through larval stage to adult in 30 - 45 days and typically has two generations per year in Virginia . Adults overwinter in soil and debris , emerging in late May / former June . The adults jaw minor holes in foliage that deoxidize the plant life ’s photosynthetic capability , thus move the size of individual fruits and overall yield . Plants can be protected with rowing binding until flowering . Insecticidal easy lay and spinosad can help control beetles . Pyrethroids can be employed for sullen plague . horticulture traditional knowledge says that placing onion plant Robert Peel around plant bases repels the beetles , but I ca n’t vouch for its efficaciousness . Unfortunately , there is no effectual biological control .
The eggplant lacing bugis probably the next most serious pest . It progresses from egg through 5 instars ( unfledged stage ) to adult in about 20 days and go through 5 generations per year . Nymphs suck works liquids from the undersurface of leaves , which show scorching hurt before break . Discarded skins and fecal deposits on leaf undersides are telltale signs . Ladybugs , spiders and pirate bugs are good piranha . Insecticidal soaps , neem oil , and pyrethrins can aid if heavy infestations demand them .
The most serious disease concern is verticillium wilt , which interrupt water uptake and make industrial plant to droop and finally die . It is a well idea to look for resistant varieties if possible and definitely avert planting mad apple where other nightshades have recently been grown .
Growing in Containers
Eggplants are promptly develop in containers and can actually be displayed as ornamentals give their interesting botany , pretty blossom and coloured fruits . lowly varieties are recommended for containers , which likely means commence plant from seminal fluid to have a selection of diversity beyond standard baby’s room offerings . Using relatively big container can help with moisture direction .
Moisture essential order train a fast - drain but moisture - retaining potting soil mix and a container with generous drainage hole . flora are quickly damaged if they are allowed to dry out in summertime heat , so consistent lachrymation is a key to success . Verticillium wilt and flea beetle price are less of a trouble if good timbre potting soil is used , a bountiful plus . If using a unfertile potting soil , fuse in compost and an all - purpose fertiliser when planting and periodically during the season is a good idea .
Health Benefits
Eggplant is consider alimentary - dense , with an abundance of fiber , vitamins and minerals , with few calories . It is also high in an antioxidant squall nasunin , which can help prevent heart disease and cancer . In the end , the elbow room it is ready affects its ultimate benefits , but it by all odds starts out as a good food source .
Varieties
If you are concerned in grow the big purple eggplants that we are most conversant with in the US , transplants are promptly available at most nurseries and garden centerfield . For other case , seeds are uncommitted if you shop around . Popular early variety include Ichiban , Dusky and Little Fingers . Mid - season variety admit Black Beauty , Classic , Ghost Twister and Neon . There is an abundance of information about therange of miscellanea online .
Give it a attempt
develop up in an Italian category , I learned to revel Solanum melongena prepared in the traditional Mediterranean ways . More latterly , in traveling and with the increasing diversity of restaurants and culinary art in our domain , I ’ve learned to eff it serve well many different shipway . And , one of these day , I ’ll hone my grilling technique as well .
In any case , eggplant is a various and alimentary vegetable that grows well in the Central Virginia clime , with a little attention in the areas of moisture and pestilence direction . I encourage you to give growing it a attempt .
Be sure to check out the formula for Eggplant and Tomatoes with trick - Shallot Vinaigrette in this month’sGarden Shed .
Sources :
“ Potatoes , Peppers and Eggplant , ” Va. Coop . Ext . ,https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu / content / dam / pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426 - 413/426 - 413_pdf.pdf
“ Flea Beetles Attacking Eggplant in Virginia , ” Va. Coop . Ext.https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ento-270/ENTO-270.pdf
“ Eggplant Lace Bug , ” Va. Coop.Ext.https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/3104/3104-1548/3104-1548_pdf.pdf
https://harvesttotable.com/how_to_grow_eggplant/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eggplant-benefits
Cornell University Growing Guide : Eggplant , http://www.gardening.cornell.edu / homegardening / scene26b5.html
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/eggplant
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-eggplant-in-containers-848173
