skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Why is my eggplant not setting fruit?

Ispahan Zone6a Chicago

12 years ago

I have two 'Fairytale' eggplants growing in containers. They are happily growing, large and lush plants with dozens of blossoms at at time, but neither of my plants has yet to set a fruit after several weeks of flowering. I have tried gently shaking the plants daily to help the flowers pollinate as well hand pollinating the flowers with a paint brush, all with no success. Not only that, I have never noticed any pollen being shed from any of the anthers during all of my pollination attempts. There are no pests or disease in sight, and the chiles I have growing along side them are setting fruit like crazy, so I don't think I have too much nitrogen preventing fruit set. What gives?

Featured Answer

Ispahan Zone6a Chicago
Original Author

12 years ago

Just an update. After reading the thoughtful responses posted here, I have tried making some modifications to my container-grown eggplant. I now leave water in the saucer most of the time. The result? The plant still looks healthy, happy and beautiful with plenty of blossoms but now I have lots of little eggplants forming! Woohoo!

Watering more often is the only modification I have made.

Thank you so much everyone for your help!

Cheers,
Ispahan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

digdirt2
12 years ago
What have your temperatures been - day and night range? Eggplant, just like tomatoes, experiences tacky non-viable pollen and blossom drop during especially warm periods. The FAQ here on Blossom Drop explains the viable temp ranges for successful pollination.

Dave
CC_balconygardener
12 years ago
I agree with Dave, my ichiban eggplant was doing OK early in the summer but when it started to get really hot the flowers started to drop. When I moved the container to a shaded area it started to fruit again. On the balcony the temperature was above 90F during the day, while in the shade I think it stays around 80F. I also have a fairytale eggplant and it is doing well in the shade.
Related Discussions
Why won't my Wonder Eggplant produce fruit?
Q
Comments (4)
Well, I bought this plant as a package of seeds from my local Dollar General for $4 or $5. I followed the instructions, including thinning the seedlings as they come up until only one remains. I transplanted one of them though to another pot, and that's the one I currently have. The other one died for some reason. So, yes this IS the one grown from seed. I started it well into, I think, February and it's just starting to flower. Yes, this is the one that has golden eggs when mature. I have mine in a pot that I left outdoors during the growing season. Now, the temperature is dropping in my area which is good for my peach tree, blackberries, blueberries and grape vine, but not my wonder eggplant. I brought it indoors and will soon find a place to keep it while the winter drinks and thrives on my hopeless misery(LOL) and then when the growing season returns, I will stick it back outside along with my palms and cycads.
...See More
Eggplant not setting fruit
Q
Comments (3)
How have you been fertilizing them? They are kind of picky eaters and if you give them too much nitrogen by itself, they won't ever fruit (same with peppers too). If you haven't fertilized them at all, then you're depending on your soil to give them the nutrients they need and it's usually lacking in at least one area. If you give them a little Phosphorous heavy fertilizer, they should start fruiting. I usually give less than the recommended amount, but more frequently.
...See More
Black Beauty Eggplant Won't Set Fruit
Q
Comments (27)
I have always had trouble with black beauty fruits especially with the fruits rotting and so have mainly stuck to the longer skinny type of eggplants because they do so much better here. This year I accidently bought a black beauty. It was on the wrong rack with the long fruited ones and I didnt notice the tag when I grabbed a bunch of them. Well low and behold this thing is fruiting like crazy and has a few huge ones on there right now and many babies. I had to stake it good because its so heavy it is pulling it over.
...See More
why isnt my rasberry bush setting fruit or flowers?
Q
Comments (4)
Mine took about 2 years to get fully established, but it's in a raised bed. I definately agree that the pot needs to be much bigger. With that said, mine got a bit invasive in my raised bed. I probably should have gone the container route ;) Also, try a bit of fertilizer that promotes fruiting (either something like bone meal, or a fertilizer with less nitrogen, and more phosphorus and potassium), and make sure your soil is nice and rich. Is it in a sunny spot? It looks to be reaching a little bit. My raspberry bush loved the sun!
...See More
chaman
12 years ago
I agree with Dave and baconygardener.During higher temps. eggplant loses water faster by transpiration which reflects in heavy wilting of leaves of eggplant on warmer days.If you can not relocate the plants as balconygardener has done then feed the plant heavily with water on hot days.Thick mulching will help too.
Good luck.
PRO
little sur farm
12 years ago
Sound crazy but try a 5.00 umbrella stuck in the planter as shade. It can actually look neat.
Slimy_Okra
12 years ago
Humidity can play a role too...did you try pollinating/tapping the flowers at a drier time of day? If you've been attempting pollination at the same time every day, try a different time of day and see if it works better.
Ispahan Zone6a Chicago
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you everyone for wonderful answers! I really appreciate it.

My plants are located on a balcony and get sun from roughly 1 pm to 8 pm. Maybe they are being cooked by afternoon sun?

I have tried pollinating flowers both morning and evening, so I am not sure it is a humidity problem.

We have had a few days above 90, but generally temps have ranged 80-85 during the day and 60-65 at night.

I suppose that even if I never harvest fruit, the plants themselves are beautiful ornamentals. But...sigh...I really, really happen to have a taste for eggplant this season, LOL!
1dahlia4me
12 years ago
Interesting! Congrats and thanks for the update.
Ispahan Zone6a Chicago
Original Author
12 years ago
Update #2: I have now harvested several dozen little 'Fairytale' eggplants and my plants are now loaded with dozens of blossoms and ripening fruits. These are quite productive once they are happy! Such beautiful plants too.
ikea_gw
12 years ago
I always find that eggplants endure very hot humid weather just fine if they are watered generously and fertilized with a well-balanced fertilizer. They are commonly grown in southeast Asia and India so I think they should be able to handle quite a bit of heat.
TobeyToo
12 years ago
Is the information true for summer squash?

TobeyToo
missingtheobvious
12 years ago
TobeyToo, see this FAQ question from the Vegetables forum:
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/cornucop/2003081901015268.html

Related Stories

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES How to Grow Eggplant at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant glossy purple eggplant as much for its beauty in the garden as its flavor on the plate

0

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Crazy for Fruit Trees

By Marianne Lipanovich

Whether a single citrus or a mini apple orchard, even the smallest landscape space can bear deliriously delicious fruit

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Grow Blueberries for Their Fruit and More

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Eastern gardeners should consider growing blueberry plants for their delicious fruits, bee-friendly spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home

FALL GARDENING 5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers

Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit

ENTERTAINING Eye-Catching Centerpieces Beyond Flowers and Fruit

By Catherine Funkhouser

Use your imagination to create a tableau that reflects your surroundings, creates dramatic tension or elicits surprise

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Tiny, Fruitful New York Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Desserts and preserves emerge from just a sliver of counterspace and a stove in this New York food blogger's creatively used kitchen

DINING ROOMS Guest Picks: Set Your Table Dutch-Master Style

By MFAMB aka Jenny

Make your Thanksgiving feast pop against moody black and rich gold pieces inspired by still-life paintings

PHOTO FLIP 93 Stunning Sofascapes

By Sheila Schmitz

Plop down and enjoy a showcase of 93 stylish sofa vignettes, then show us your own personalized seating area

HEALTHY HOME 12 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating

By Becky Harris

Making smart food choices is easier when your kitchen is part of your support team

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

gave my garlic a haircut today

14

What are rabbits favorite veggies?

11

How often to add soil sulfur?

5

Corn seeds during a frost?

15

How long do you harden off seedlings?

4