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Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

(Solanum sp.)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
T							S	S	T	T	T

(Best months for planting Eggplant in Australia - temperate regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings.

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 24°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart
Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Cut fruit with scissors or sharp knife.
Compatible with: Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
Avoid growing with: Potatoes

A seedling
Eggplant

A large bushy plant with attractive purple flowers. Has spiky stems. Wear gloves to harvest fruit as the spikes on the calyx are sharp enough to break one's skin.

In United Kingdom - grow in heated greenhouse. Reduce artificial heat during summer months

Needs a long season. Start under cover and plant out when frosts have finished.

Some varieties with slim, long fruit such as Asian Bride produce their fruit earlier. Mulch well and keep well watered. May need staking

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Eggplant

Cut and use the same day if possible.
Slice, no need to peel, and fry in olive oil.
Brush with oil and grill or bake.
Or microwave,plain, for about 4 minutes on high.
Makes a good substitute for pasta in lasagne or moussaka.
Can be smoked over a gas ring or barbecue, cooled and peeled and used to make dips.

Your comments and tips

01 Jan 12, lukevdh (Australia - sub-tropical climate): i had a simillar problem, but i had heaps of flowers yet they all dropped off after a week or so. i am going to try a fertilizer with a high level of phosphorus.
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16 Dec 11, chehade bghaoui (Australia - temperate climate): what is the solution for leaves wilt and for leavessudenly yellowing and drying
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03 Dec 11, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate): My young eggplant seedling leaves are turning yellow and growth has been minimal in the last month since planting. There are no obvious bugs/ pests. They receive close to a full day of sun, and are planted next to beans. Any suggestions?
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02 Dec 11, Marlene (Australia - temperate climate): Please help.My eggplants are growing tall and look healthy.No flowers.What can I use to promote fruit?I have fertilized with blue MPK and blood and bone
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15 Nov 11, (Australia - temperate climate): My trees are very healthy and produce many flowers but disappointingly no fruit seem to set. A patch of beans at close proximity thereto has cropped very well, (just as a comparison for you may also think as I did that possibly the lack of pollinators may be the cause).
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13 Nov 11, Kaytee (Australia - tropical climate): My eggplant is healthy looking and flowering very well but fruit doesn't set. I tried to pollinate them but that didn't work either. Can you help please.
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04 Nov 11, Mohan (Australia - temperate climate): Hi Pru, Epsom salts is MgSO4(Magnisium sulphate). Mg is an important constituent in Chlorophyll, the green substance in leaves that is required for photosynthesis i.e. making food for the plant. One gram epsom salt in a litre of water sprayed early in the morning helps some plants to set fruit. Potash is K2SO4 and generally helps plant for flowering..
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16 Sep 11, John (Australia - temperate climate): Planted seedlings last year Oct-Nov, grew slowly, flowered but no fruit. Any ideas??
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09 Oct 11, Pru (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Hi John, sprinkle Epsom salts in a line 10cms long about 5 cms out from the trunk, the potassium will help flowers set fruit. Worked brilliantly for me last year.
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18 Nov 11, John (Australia - temperate climate): Epsom salts is magnesium sulphate. Did you actually use this or potash (potassium sulphate)?
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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