Hi Dave. When they're nice and glossy and firm but not rock-hard. If you press the flesh with your nail, you should leave a tiny mark. As they pass their peak on the vine, the glossiness turns dull and they soften. Remember to cut them with some stem attached.

What Finbar said, except in my experience they harden, not soften, as they age. I test by squeezing and pressing with my thumb. If there's an indent where I pressed, then I pick it, provided the colour is good. BTW, some varieties don't have very glossy skin. You just have to learn by experience with these.

Thanks for the replys finbar and raymondo, that means i have some ready now,we cook the on the hot plate with meat,
Have you any other ways of eating them,this is the first time i have growen them.....Thanks Again....Dave..

Speaking of Eggplant help - one of my plants has just decided to wilt even tho it has been getting the same amount of water as the other very healthy looking one. Any ideas oh Veggie Gurus?

Place the eggplant on a microwave proof tray prick all over with a fork cover with gladwrap cook on high for 4 minutes stand for 1 minute slice and sprinkle with some fresh garlic,oregano and salt and pepper spinkle with olive oil EAT
very tasty indeed
Bev

{{gwi:2114401}}

Here is my sad eggplant next to the happy one. We found some eggs or insects that look like grains of soil... time to spray with the beatabug I think (pyrethrum, chilli & garlic). Anyone know what they might be?

Shame really, it had 2 fruit on it.

I saw the picture posted by Mabb of his sad eggplant bush.

It has happened to me in the greenhouse several times, and I don't know if it's a root disease (are they susceptible to Phytophthora perhaps?) or in my case competition from the more aggressively-rooted indeterminate tomatos next to it.

Regarding harvesting, I pick them at any stage after they're big enough to bother with, until they stop enlarging rapidly. I find the best time is when they stop getting larger but before their skin gets dull.

Cheers!

Manuel

There are some microbes around that can cause wilt like that. The disease has the totally uninspired name Wilt. Just in case, it would be wise not to plant eggplant (or any of the SOLANACEAE for that matter) in the same bed for a couple of years. That's if you have the room to be able to afford not to.