Growing Chinese Eggplant

Growing chinese eggplant

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.

Does Chinese eggplant need a trellis?

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 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. Dull-skinned fruits have begun to form mature seeds and tough skin.

How do you take care of Chinese eggplant?

Caring For Your Chinese Eggplants Keep your eggplants watered and evenly moist soil. Keep them well watered on hot days. Try not to soak the leaves when watering to minimize disease. They are very easy to maintain and they grow very fast.

How long does it take to grow Chinese eggplant?

Days to Maturity: 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 many eggplants can you get off one plant?

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.

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.

Should I trim bottom leaves of eggplant?

After the eggplant begins to flower, clip the lower leaflets from the main branch. Removing these leaves boosts air circulation and allows light to penetrate the canopy. Continue to prune away suckers throughout the entire growing season to boost plant vigor and increase food production.

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.

How often should eggplant be watered?

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.

How do you know when eggplant is done growing?

The skin should be glossy and dark (for purple varieties). If the skin turns dull, this indicates over maturity, so harvest immediately no matter what size. Harvest eggplants using pruning shears since the stem is tough. If you leave the fruit on way too long, it will begin to change color.

Should I pinch off eggplant flowers?

Pinch the first set of flowers as they bud. This encourages your plant to put more energy into growing sturdy stalks and deep roots instead of producing new fruit right away. New blossoms will appear in a few weeks, and your plant will be better able to support large, healthy fruits.

How do you keep Chinese eggplant purple?

About two cups of water and the two tablespoons of vinegar soaking. Them for about one minute

How long does Chinese eggplant last?

To refrigerate, wrap in a paper towel and place in a reusable container or perforated plastic bag in the crisper section of your refrigerator for use within 5 - 7 days. Eggplant may also be blanched or steamed then frozen for up to six months.

What month do you plant eggplant?

The best time to plant eggplant is in late spring after the last threat of frost. Eggplants have a long growing season, so you'll need to start them indoors around eight weeks before your region's last frost date.

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 late can you plant eggplant seeds?

Plant eggplant seeds indoors 7 weeks before your last spring frost and outdoors 1-2 weeks after your last spring frost. Eggplants can be planted throughout the summer up until 14 weeks before your first fall frost.

Do eggplants grow back every year?

You sure can! It's called overwintering. And, if your climate is warm enough (or you can keep the plant warm enough) you can keep your same eggplant plant alive for years to come. You can do this with a variety of other plants too, such as peppers (hot or sweet), tomatoes, & okra!

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: