Finally got my "tenders" outside about to 2 weeks ago and so far so good. At first I saw signs of something beginning to nibble on their leafs so I sprinkled some caynnee pepper on this early one morning and haven't had a problem with those pesky bugs since.
First time growing them so I am excited that I have come this far with them and they haven't died on me!! From I can see they sure do love the sun and as long as I keep their roots wet not soggy they seem to be thriving right along.........
Oh yea, I am growing Black Beauty, I didn't realize there were other types
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- Senior Member
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I'm for Eggplant, Gardenbean!
This may be a challenging year for eggplant here but, at least, I'm armed against the potato bugs this time around! I figger I've got the beetles beat! Now, if our spring weather will just warm up . . .
Probably the first mistake new gardeners make with eggplants is to not realize how tender they are. It looks like you had the right plan for your garden!
Other types? Yep! I have only 2 varieties this year - both Asian, 1 long green and 1 long lavender. Because eggplant makes awfully good casseroles, usually, Dusky has a place in my garden. That is an Italian bell that I can trust to mature. It isn't very large but has the right shape for what we might expect for an eggplant casserole.
Since the green varieties seem so unlikely to be bitter, I've also grown AppleGreen. It is almost round and about the size of a softball!
I really messed up not ordering seed for Dusky & AppleGreen this year! But, 2010 was the most difficult year ever for potato beetles in the eggplant. However, both the garden center guy and Cornell University have assured me that spinosad is effective against the dang beetles. They'd just better watch out if'n they think they are going to dine on my eggplants this year!
Steve
This may be a challenging year for eggplant here but, at least, I'm armed against the potato bugs this time around! I figger I've got the beetles beat! Now, if our spring weather will just warm up . . .
Probably the first mistake new gardeners make with eggplants is to not realize how tender they are. It looks like you had the right plan for your garden!
Other types? Yep! I have only 2 varieties this year - both Asian, 1 long green and 1 long lavender. Because eggplant makes awfully good casseroles, usually, Dusky has a place in my garden. That is an Italian bell that I can trust to mature. It isn't very large but has the right shape for what we might expect for an eggplant casserole.
Since the green varieties seem so unlikely to be bitter, I've also grown AppleGreen. It is almost round and about the size of a softball!
I really messed up not ordering seed for Dusky & AppleGreen this year! But, 2010 was the most difficult year ever for potato beetles in the eggplant. However, both the garden center guy and Cornell University have assured me that spinosad is effective against the dang beetles. They'd just better watch out if'n they think they are going to dine on my eggplants this year!
Steve
I currently have 3 different types growing. I have Black Beauty, Ichiban and a smaller variety whose name escapes that are similar to Ichiban only smaller. Between them and the Ichiban, I have enough for grilling almost on a weekly basis. The Black Beauty are used for casseroles, frying and Eggplant Parmesan.
I can't imagine a summer garden without eggplants.
I can't imagine a summer garden without eggplants.
- gixxerific
- Super Green Thumb
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- Cool Member
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- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:55 am
- Location: Southern Illinois
I've got four black beauties and two nadias growing. They've got multiple flowers, but no fruits yet.
Here's a word of caution to other eggplant growers: I saw my first japanese beetle today, near the eggplants. Those worthless bugs seem to absolutely love the eggplants. They really munched on my leaves last year.
Here's a word of caution to other eggplant growers: I saw my first japanese beetle today, near the eggplants. Those worthless bugs seem to absolutely love the eggplants. They really munched on my leaves last year.
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- Cool Member
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:55 am
- Location: Southern Illinois
I've got four black beauties and two nadias growing. They've got multiple flowers, but no fruits yet.
Here's a word of caution to other eggplant growers: I saw my first japanese beetle today, near the eggplants. Those worthless bugs seem to absolutely love the eggplants. They really munched on my leaves last year.
Here's a word of caution to other eggplant growers: I saw my first japanese beetle today, near the eggplants. Those worthless bugs seem to absolutely love the eggplants. They really munched on my leaves last year.
I have 7 varieties growing, Black Beauty, Thai Yellow, Thai White Ribbed, Turkish Orange, Listada de Gandia, Gretel (transplanted from my Hydro), and Kazakhstan. All different shapes and sizes, Hope they do well, so far June has been June, and not the June-uary we had last year. They seem to be growing, even with the cool nights.
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- Senior Member
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- Location: Western NC Zone 6b
I tried to grow eggplant once. I got some seed, planted them indoors and as they grew, they looked like tomato seedlings. They even smelled like tomato seedlings.
I planted them in the garden and they grew to resemble tomato plants. They are in the same family, so I figured that was the reason why.
Well, they eventually fruited and I got several dozen medium-sized tomatoes .
I planted them in the garden and they grew to resemble tomato plants. They are in the same family, so I figured that was the reason why.
Well, they eventually fruited and I got several dozen medium-sized tomatoes .
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- Senior Member
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- Location: Westminster Colorado