dracula13
Full Member
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:41 pm
Location: South Florida (Zone 10b)

Eggplant Pruning

So this is my eggplant that is about 5 weeks old:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1010 ... 8111162905

Please don't worry about the holes. I had an army worm problem, but I took care of it. Also, is the trellis I built it too small?


Also, I understand that you prune eggplants to three branches, but I am so confused on how you do that, can someone please help?

imafan26
Mod
Posts: 13962
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:32 am
Location: Hawaii, zone 12a 587 ft elev.

It is too young to prune. I do not prune my eggplant except to renew it and that isn't until it has had fruit. I will take off leaves that have fungal problems and bare branches but I never heard of pruning to three branches. Eggplants will live more than one year and get quite large so they need to have space.

I usually just stake the eggplant, I do not need a trellis or cage.

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant are all solanaceous and grow faster and produce better in warm weather. They will also share the same pests.

veggiedan
Cool Member
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 6:18 pm
Location: Central TX 8b

I assume that eggplants that need to be pruned are the full-sized ones, in order to keep from having too many fruits. For Asian eggplants, which I grow regularly, I never prune. Wouldn't think of doing so. I suppose if the plant started to get bushy, that might be a reason, but mine never do.

imafan26
Mod
Posts: 13962
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:32 am
Location: Hawaii, zone 12a 587 ft elev.

Even with the black beauty eggplant, I really don't prune only stake the branches. I would only have to cut branches or fruit if they rub on the branches. The fruit would still be edible, but would have more scars.



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