Most globe type eggplants I've grown couldn't tolerate the summer heat - they grow best during the cooler months. Globe eggplants are traditional large purple or… This … It will be grown by many of us for its edible fruits. Slowly acclimate plants to the outdoors over a week or so. container. Anticipate eggplant flea beetles. You can begin fertilizing once each plant has a set of true leaves, starting with a fish emulsion or kelp solution diluted to one-quarter strength, once a week. Kerry Michaels is a writer and photographer with several years specializing in gardening and landscape design. Also, consistent watering is key to continued eggplant health. Just like tomato transplants, eggplants need to be hardened off before planting. Modern breeding programs are answering the call of the limited space gardener. Eggplants are versatile fruits that belong to the nightshade family along with tomatoes and other fruits. Generally, pick it when it is on the smaller side. Wait to plant until the weather is reliably warm at night, a consistent 55 degrees. Growing eggplant in containers is an easy way to add this wonderful vegetable to your own gardening repertoire, if you’re not already growing it. Eggplant starts are the best way to go unless you live in a sunny climate as they will give you a jump start on the growing season. There are so many ways to cook eggplant, really, there is no best way to cook it. Look for the word “compact” in the plant’s name. Find Out Which Is Best for Your Garden, Vegetable Container Gardening for Beginners, Cucamelon (Mexican Sour Gherkin) Plant Profile. Learn how to grow these plants easily in a pot. When potting mature seedlings or purchased starts, mix an all-purpose fertilizer into your potting soil at the beginning of the season. Then, plant 1 to 2 seeds in each container and wait for the seedlings to sprout, which can take up to 2 weeks. You can also plant up to three plants in a 20" pot. Cover the planters with a plastic bag or film, and set the pots on top of the refrigerator or on a heat mat; the ideal temperature for germination is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also build a bamboo cage or use a coated metal tomato cage. Diligently protect outdoor plants from cold in spring. Water well to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches so the soil is moist but never soggy. You do not want to pick eggplant before it is ripe. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Larger plants will grow in containers as well, but you’ll need to trellis them. Give each plant at least a foot and a half of space. https://www.thespruce.com/growing-vegetables-in-containers-1403373 Any eggplant suits container growing, but the heirloom and smaller varieties perform particularly well. Updated video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwVlZo-0l0 Tips on growing great looking eggplants in containers. Pinch out the terminal growing points for a bushier plant. Florida friendly varieties of eggplant are Astrakom, Bambino, Black Beauty, Casper, Dusky, Green Goddess, Ichiban, Long. In the heat of the summer, depending on your pot size, that may mean you need to water your plant twice a day or more. You will need to know what kind of eggplant you have planted to know when to harvest it. Most healthy plants, however, will recover from the leaf damage. They should germinate in 7-14 days. If you intend to transplant your seedlings to the garden, start the seeds 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Lay it in a single layer in a baking pan. Choose a large pot to house your mature eggplant. Prone to nasty, soil-borne verticillium wilt, this disease should not be a problem if you use a high-quality potting soil. See to it that the seeds are disease-free. These smaller plants provide a means to growing eggplant in containers. Container grown eggplant require large pots to facilitate their growth and provide room for the small bushes. Look for the word “compact” in the plant’s name. Most varieties will be fine tied to a piece of bamboo or a wooden stake sunk deeply into your pot. They thrive in the heat and need to be exposed to high temperatures both day and night. Fairy Tale – One of my favorite types, this prolific plant bears small, slender, light-purple fruits with white splotches. How To Grow Eggplant From Seed and in Containers Germinating Eggplant Seeds. Unglazed – These containers absorb … Increase the time outdoors each day for about one week, then it should be safe to move them outdoors for the growing season. Toss the eggplant with a little olive oil, some kosher salt, and pepper. Eggplant is easy to grow, and some varieties are so beautiful they can be used as ornamentals. Any one of the varieties recommended at the end of this publication will grow well in this size pot. For bigger fruits, restrict to five or six per plant. If you are growing eggplant in a pot or container, it is also a good idea to use some type of mulch, like straw or wood chips to cover the soil, which helps to keep the soil moist. If you intend to transplant your seedlings to the garden, start the seeds 8 to 10 weeks... Potting or Planting Eggplant Seedlings. One of the most important elements of container grown eggplant is the container. Eggplant needs a fast-draining potting soil, but also one that will not dry out too fast. of space per plant or three plants can be placed in a 20-inch (50 cm.) Growing Brinjal in Pots. Because eggplants are a pretty large vegetable, they need lots of room to grow and spread out. For general feeding, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer every other week during the growing season. Make certain there are large, unblocked drainage holes. Sign up for our newsletter. The following eggplant varieties are not only easier than some to grow, but they have a flavor that you’ll love. Repot eggplant seedlings into larger pots filled with potting soil or the same mix the seeds were germinated in. Brinjal which is also called as Eggplant or Aubergine is a perennial plant which belongs to the family of Solanaceae. Drought tolerant but for happier plants water regularly. When the weather warms to daytime temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, harden off the plants by moving them outside for a few hours during the warmer time of the day. Turn the pieces once or twice until the eggplant is brown and soft. The pot must have a 5-gallon (20-liter) capacity, … Start the seeds in small pots or cell packs filled with a bagged or homemade seed-starting mix. Place a few seeds in each cell or pot, and cover gently with 1/4 inch of soil. Potting mix (1 part of the soil, 1 part of organic fertilizer, and 1 part of peat moss) is good for container planting. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Unglazed pots dry out more quickly than glazed pots, but they also allow the evaporation of excess moisture. Choose a large pot with a 5-gallon (18 L.) capacity. Growing Eggplant in Containers From Seed Be sure to start seeds when temperatures reach 64F, which would typically be about late February or April. Clay or plastic pot will be good choices. With the rise of upside down gardening, traditional container gardening has expanded its previous barriers. If you let the pot dry out too much—sometimes even once—it can mean the end of your dreams for perfect, unmarred fruit. If you wish to plant eggplant from seeds be sure to plant 2 seeds in each container, as this will likely ensure at least one will grow. Mulch immediately after transplanting, and gently hand pull … Here are a few of our favorite eggplant varieties for planting in pots: Growing eggplants in pots is possible in two ways– Either start them using seeds or buy the seedlings from a nearby nursery or garden center. Fertile and Well-Draining Soil: Starting with the right potting soil will keep your … Growing eggplant would be ridiculously easy if not for eggplant flea … Hi Home Gardeners, today we discuss growing brinjal in pots. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For the best results, fill a seed tray with a non-soil growing medium, like vermiculite or compost. The best medium for container grown eggplant is two parts good quality potting soil and one part sand. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. If this is the route you wish to go, you will need a pretty large container. Plant in organic-rich well-drained soil. If you see tiny round holes in the leaves of the plants early in the season, you could have flea beetles, but again, this is not likely to happen with potted plants that use a sterile potting soil. Rosa Bianca and Black Beauty are perfect for making Eggplant Parmigiana. If you remember to water, choose the unglazed pot. Growing eggplant in containers requires 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm.) You have more flexibility with container-grown plants, but the same general timeframe is recommended, to take advantage of the full growing season. Keep an eye on the plastic covering. It is imp… Growing eggplant in containers requires 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm.) I've been trialing heirloom eggplant seeds for the last 2 years and growing them in large self-watering containers that I purchased at WalMart. Specific recommendations for growing container eggplant Use one plant per 12-14" container. But, if you want to experience the full flavor of a freshly picked garden eggplant, simply roast it. Most are heavy, dense fruits on medium to large sized bushes which wouldn’t be appropriate for container grown eggplant. Soak the seeds overnight to prepare them for planting. Your goal is to keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Choose a big container, at least a 5 gallon capacity pot or container. Growing Eggplants. Each eggplant needs 12 to 14 inches to grow in a container. This disease is fairly common in traditional garden soil. of space per plant or three plants can be placed in a 20-inch (50 cm.) Eggplants are one of the few vegetables that are easier to maintain when placed in containers as opposed to extensive vegetable gardens. This makes eggplant a popular vegetable to grow in containers because you can always move them around for the best view. Any eggplant suits container growing, but the heirloom and smaller varieties perform particularly well. Seedlings can be transplanted to the garden in about two months, or they can be grown to maturity in a large container. After preparing the seeds, prepare the container that you will use. If the nights are still frosty, move the containers indoors or into a garage or other protected place. Eggplant comes in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes. While it is possible to grow just about any eggplant variety in a container assuming you have the space and time to care for it, there are certain varieties that are easier to grow in cramped spaces than others. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Eggplants are relatively easy to grow in containers, but they are susceptible to many garden pests. Choose seeds depending on the variety that you would like to plant. On a sunny day, soil temperatures inside black pots may be 10 degrees or more higher than in-ground soil temperatures. Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. You can plant three eggplants in a 20-inch pot. Eggplant Care Once the plants start to grow, it is a good idea to stake your eggplants before they get too large. Two-ring tomato cages work best. Make sure they get at least six hours of unobstructed sun per day—the more sun the better. I feed my eggplants once or twice during the growing season with a light application of fish emulsion, manure tea, or compost tea. Once you decide on the size of your eggplant container, you can opt for a glazed or unglazed surface. If you’re new to growing plants and have not grown them much– purchase a few seedlings of your favorite eggplant variety. Once the seeds have germinated (typically 7 to 14 days), uncover the container and move it to a sunny window for maximum sun exposure. Plant transplants of tomato, pepper, eggplant, and in late August, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. They need large enough containers to support the roots of such a heavy plant, a well draining medium, extra food and consistent water and, of course, the right container. If you have something more significant, use it. If growing eggplant in containers, stake the stems before the fruit forms. Because eggplant really needs warm soil to grow well, gardeners in cool climates often do best growing the plants in large, dark-colored containers. Larger plants will grow in containers as well, but you’ll need to trellis them. container. In this episode we plant eggplant seedlings in containers. If the conditions are too cold, the plants will fail to thrive. Nurture your eggplant sprouts for 8 to 10 weeks before moving them to the garden or taking them outdoors in permanent containers. This avoids disturbing the roots once the plant is established. If you are using a very light soil, you will have to water enough times during the day so that the soil does not completely dry out. Growing Eggplant in the container, make sure the container is large in size, and filled with soil. Eggplants are also good for container growing, with one plant per 5-gallon pot. Eggplant requires a lot of nutrients. Leave on the skin and cut it into small pieces about a half-inch square. Two-ring tomato cages work best. Growing eggplant from seed requires some care, but it is worth the effort because there is a huge variety you can buy in seed form, while nurseries often carry only a few types. It’s ideal for container growing. Although it is quite challenging to grow eggplants from seeds, this is the common option for many home gardeners. The flowers are gorgeous, and the eggplants look like little (or big) molded sculptures. As the plants grow and bear, they will need support. This helps to supply potassium, which the plants need to keep producing fruit. Plant in at least 7-8 hours of sun. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, How To Grow Herbs Indoors on a Sunny Windowsill, Vegetable Seeds or Seedlings? Also, eggplant, like tomatoes, are heat lovers. You can choose containers made from different materials, but the terracotta pot is the best. And if you’re not growing eggplants yourself from seed, your local garden center should be able to supply you with all … It should have condensation on its underside; if not, mist the soil with water and recover the container. There are cultivars, however, that have been developed to be compact as an answer to the growing number of small space gardeners. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! waiwai08/getty. Long and slender, the Ichiban eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a good crop to grow in outdoor gardens or containers in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4-10. Round, long and thin, or they can be white, purple, almost black, green! But the heirloom and smaller varieties perform particularly well the summer heat - they grow best during the cooler.... A popular vegetable to grow eggplant from seed and transplant in gardens the skin and cut it into pieces!: Bonnie L. 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