Chinese String Eggplant Growing

Chinese string eggplant growing

Does eggplant need a trellis? Yes. Eggplants need support because of the weight of the fruit. A simple gardening stake is typically all you need.

How tall does Chinese string eggplant grow?

Asian varieties will grow to about 18 inches tall, and the larger-fruited plants usually grow 24 to 36 inches tall. If you've treated the crop well, you should have a bountiful harvest. I pick eggplants when they are bright and shiny.

Are Chinese eggplants easy to grow?

Eggplants from China tend to be elongated and deeply purple with glossy skin. They are excellent in stir fry and soup. They are quite easy to grow as long as they receive plenty of sun and heat.

How big do Chinese eggplants get?

Chinese eggplants are long and thin, averaging 15-20 centimeters in length and 5 centimeters in diameter. These fruits can be crooked or straight, and its thin outer skin ranges from violet to bright purple.

What Cannot be planted near eggplant?

What Not To Plant With Eggplant. Do not plant fennel near your eggplant. Fennel inhibits growth in many plants, including eggplant. Geraniums can host diseases that also affect eggplant such as leaf blight and root rot, so it is best to avoid planting them with eggplant.

Is it better to stake or cage eggplant?

Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants should be staked for optimum growth and yield (Figure 2). Staking keeps the eggplant fruit from touching the ground, which reduces disease and improves fruit shape, particularly on elongated fruit. Staking also makes harvesting easier.

How many eggplants can one plant produce?

The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit. 'Black Beauty' is the traditional eggplant size. One plant produces 4 to 6 large rounded fruit.

How many days does it take for Chinese eggplant to mature?

They take an average of 50-65 days to mature after transplanting, depending on the variety. We sowed our eggplant seeds in late March, planted them out into the garden in late-May, and began harvesting eggplants in the third week of July.

How do you know when to pick Chinese eggplant?

As in selecting any eggplant, look for those that have shiny skin without soft spots or blemishes. They should be firm to the touch. If the skin is dull, that means the Chinese eggplant is too ripe and should be avoided. When cut open, the skin should be white rather than yellow.

What is the secret for growing eggplant?

Eggplant requires rich, nutrient-filled soil to mature and produce a viable crop. Amend the planting hole prior to planting with a generous amount of compost. This not only provides a good base of nutrients, but also help retain moisture in the roots. Eggplant can be grown directly from seed or with transplants.

How often should you water eggplant?

Water eggplant deeply and infrequently, applying 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulching around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.

Do you need 2 eggplants to produce fruit?

But we'll briefly cover the basics just to get them squared away. Aubergines are self-fertile, which means each individual flower contains all the parts it needs in order to reproduce.

How big should an eggplant get before you pick it?

You can harvest eggplants any time that you see it, starting when it's only an inch or two long.

How tall should I let my eggplant grow?

Plant Type:	Tropical perennial, grown as an annual	Water Needs:
Spacing:	18-30 inches	Avoid Planting With:
Planting Depth:	1/4 inch (seeds), same depth as container (transplants)	Family:
Height:	24-48 inches depending on cultivar	Genus:
Spread:	16-36 inches depending on cultivar	Species:

How many eggplants can you grow in a 5 gallon bucket?

Eggplant You can place a single plant in a 5 gallon bucket, and this should give it enough space and sufficient nutrients, as long as you feed and water well over the summer months.

What is a good companion for eggplant?

All varieties of beans make good eggplant companions including pole beans, green beans, and bush beans. Pepper: Hot peppers and sweet peppers both make good companions for eggplant. They are in the same family, so being that they are both nightshade plants, they have similar needs in terms of nutrient.

Can I plant tomato and eggplant together?

Nightshades: Other members of the nightshade family, like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, make good companions for eggplants because they share similar growing requirements.

Is coffee grounds good for eggplants?

Coffee grounds have many uses outside the kitchen, and one of them involves improving the acidity of your eggplant's soil. What plants like coffee grounds? Like a tomato plant or roses, eggplants thrive in acidic soil, and adding coffee grounds is an easy way to ensure your soil reaches the proper pH.

Should I pinch off eggplant flowers?

As your eggplant starts to bloom, pinch the first buds you see coming through. Use your fingers to gently pinch the buds right where they meet the stem of the plant. This encourages your plant to put more energy into growing sturdy stalks and deep roots instead of producing new fruit right away.

Do eggplants need deep pots?

You'll need a pot that's 12 to 14 inches deep and wide if you're growing a compact variety, or a 20-inch-deep pot if you're not. You can grow one compact plant in a 12- to 14-inch pot, or one regular-sized plant in a 20-inch pot.