I have to start all my eggplants inside because of my short growing season. Some of my eggplant seedlings were a bit frail and leggy, while a couple were quite robust. I think it depends on size of the container and how many were grown with it inside. I usually transplant when I have about 3-5 true leaves. They can go out the same time as tomatoes. I've never grown eggplants in the ground I put them in large pots and containers. Usually within a couple days - week the leggy ones get 'meater'. You'll see it in the stem and the leaves. After transplanting them, prop them up with bamboo skewers for support until they get 'meater'. Once they establish themselves outside, they grow pretty sturdy. (kinda like teenagers, they're lanky in their teens and once they leave home and go off to school they grow into themselves as young adults, lol). No, eggplants don't put out new root growth along the stems like tomato plants. Plant just below first true leaves. Good Luck

< I do put the potted up seedlings on a plastic tray an on a heating mat.>

That's is part of the problem. The heat mats are for germination only. Once the seed germinates if it isn't removed from the mat the excess heat causes overly rapid growth with lanky weak stems. It also retards root development. Overly warm ambient air temps in the area of the seedlings makes the problem worse.

The other primary cause is insufficient supplemental light.

Dave

Thank you again Turtlegardener.

Wow Dave! I just moved my eggplant seedlings off the heat mat. It kind of felt wrong to me because this is not the way a plant would usually receive warmth but I acted without thought.

Now just keep the seedlings in our sunny enclosed porch? Sunniest spot. But its been cold, 50s and no sun for a week. Will the seedlings rehab and grow nicely?

Thank you so much. Will see what happens over the next week.

K.

My eggplants grow slowly and somewhat lanky indoors, and really explode when I get them outside in the ground in the summer heat. Eggplants just like heat, and sun as well. My experience is that when you grow them in the house, it's really just cooler than optimum for growth. But certainly, anything will get leggy if it doesn't have enough light.

A few days off the heat mat and one day of sun and my seedlings look soooo much better. Not taller but the leaves and stems are thicker. Definitely will be able to handle the outdoors soon.

daninthedirt: yes I think you are right, all they were missing was the sun and its warmth. Thank you.

Thank you so much again Dave.

Turtlegardener, thank you!