Eggplant Questions

15 years ago

I have a package of "gourmet blend" Eggplant mix seed. I really want eggplant this year, but can only get "Black Beauty" at the store as starts. Problem is, the seed package says to start outside, planted individually in pots, when warm and 8-10 weeks before last frost. Now, given that the frost dates here are end of April, I'm a little late anyway but it still isn't warm enough (I don't think) for them. I'm at a loss here. Do I sow them in cups now and keep them in the house? (Due to a cat, I also do not have a sunny window sill). Do I put them out in and keep my fingers crossed? Or, wait for a few months? Or... my least favorite idea: do I just give up and buy some plants from somewhere? Does anyone have any experience with eggplants?

Help, please!

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Comments (10)

babcia
15 years ago
I had the same kind last year. I just Winter Sowed them the same as all the flowers and such.

When they looked big enough, I planted them out. They did fine.

I didn't like the mix, however, because I wasn't sure which was which when they germinated.
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Carol_from_ny
15 years ago
I've read that eggplant should not be planted out into the garden till it's warm out. Eggplant supposedly needs the heat to produce good quality fruits.
That being said I'd WS the seeds now and keep them protected in their containers till the weather heats up. Maybe sow them into individual cups so you don't have to worry about crowding.
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retiredprof
15 years ago
WS them now. I just did mine last week that way after I fried them under lights. Treat them like toms. You're in my zone, so I would say close to 5/15 for transplant.

I'm doing Fairy Tale this year--wanted something more compact.

Prof

Anybody doing Hansel and Gretel?
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missemerald
Original Author
15 years ago
Prof,

I have them in cups with saran wrap on top, and in a sunny window (I located one in the house that is cat proof!). No extra lights, although one website that I saw said to put the cups on the hot water heater at night for warmth? Think that will be enough? (FYI, I did the toms the same way, only they're outside and the eggplants are not.)

I looked up your Fairy Tale-- it's very pretty. I had trouble finding anything around here that wasn't Black Beauty, and I wanted something different, too. So I got the mix. Maybe we can both be lucky and share eggplant parmesan recipes this summer!

Miss Emerald
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retiredprof
15 years ago
Miss Emerald: I know they like warmth. As for the water heater, that depends on what you have planted them in. Peat pots and such will dry out in a few hours and you'll have toast. If you're in plastic or styro, you may have a few more hours, but you need to watch carefully.

I grew "standard" eggplants for years and never found the yield enough to justify the space. I only have a small raised bed for these. Last year, a neighbor grew Fairy Tale and I was smitten. They're too cute and very compact. High yield, too. What I like it's that they're very versatile--the eggplants grow in little bunches, so you can grille or do the parm.

Last year (I think), Hansel and Gretel were introduced to rave reviews. Small and compact, one is deep purple and the other white. I've seen them offered as a "trio" with Fairy Tale.

Eggplant parm is one of my favs. You bet I'll share recipes!

Prof
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missemerald
Original Author
15 years ago
I just checked and my eggplants have sprouted! I hadn't expected them so soon-- I only sowed them last week. They've been in a sunny window and seem happy. Thanks for all the help, everyone!

Prof: How is your second batch of fairy tales doing?

Miss Emerald
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retiredprof
15 years ago
Uggh! Nothing yet. And, to make matters worse, I stopped by our Southern States and don't you know they had FT as transplants? Man, they were calling to me. Short, but lush and thick. But I did good, swallowed hard and moved on without buying them. Tough to do when you're still waiting for the darn seeds to sprout!

Prof
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missemerald
Original Author
15 years ago
You have a Southern States? I'm jealous. Ours closed a few years ago and now I'm stuck with Lowes, Walmart, etc. I was very surprised to see that my eggplants have sprouted already, but if mine can, then yours will too. Keep the faith!

Miss Emerald
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jamesjr_54
15 years ago
Planting "Hansel" (minis) and "Nadia" (big 'uns) ("Hansel and Nadia" sounds like a bad opera, where a poor boy gets lost and is led back to safety by a Russian ballerina who's come alive from her music box, which was left in the garden, but of course she's really a troll who lives on nothing but eggplant and sage...) tonight in peat pellets. Got 'em from Johnny's in Maine. Have a sunny, warm window waiting.
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missemerald
Original Author
14 years ago
Hey, Prof...

How are your WS'ed eggplants doing? I have one that I bought as a transplant which is doing great, but the WS ones are growing VERRRRRY slowly. Since I have never grown them from seeds before I was curious what to expect? Do they get big all of the sudden when the weather gets really hot, or should they be decent sized already? They've been outside for a couple of weeks now, but are only about 4 inches tall. Am I just impatient?

Still hoping for eggplant parmesan! And, a friend shared her recipe for Indian eggplant..yum! (but it won't happen if I don't get any :))

Miss Emerald
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