How Long Does It Take To Fruit Eggplant?

100 to 120 days.
When starting from seed, expect 100 to 120 days to maturity. July, August, and September (even into October) are all harvest months for eggplant, depending on where you live and the variety you planted. Don’t wait too long to harvest! Eggplant tastes best when harvested young.

How long does it take eggplant to mature after flowering?

Although this is dependent on the variety of the eggplant, most cultivars of the eggplant will grow and develop fruit within 50 to 80 days after their flowers bloom. Normally it takes like 100 to 140 days for the plants to grow from seed to maturity.

How do I make my eggplant bear more fruit?

If you have poor fruit set, hand-pollinate the flowers to help increase production. Use an electric toothbrush to vibrate to flower stems (not the flowers themselves) for a few seconds each to help the pollen move within the flowers. 9. The more frequently the fruits are harvested, the greater the fruit set.

Why is my eggplant plant not producing fruit?

When an eggplant plant is stressed, its blossoms will dry up and drop off without producing fruit. The most common reason a eggplant gets stressed is due to a lack of water. Your eggplant needs at least 2 inches (5 cm.) of water a week, more in very hot weather.

How long do eggplants produce?

Eggplants usually grow for only a single year before dying. This member of the nightshade family is one of the shorter-lived fruit plants. If you live in a tropical climate, the eggplant may produce fruit for 2–3 years. These purple fruits will ripen July through October.

Should I pinch off eggplant flowers?

Classic eggplants, black beauties, Ichiban eggplants, and other varieties that grow large, heavy fruits should have no more than 5-6 fruits per plant. Once you have half a dozen blossoms that are maturing nicely, pinch off any additional blossoms until your fruits are ready for harvest.

What is the best fertilizer for eggplant?

Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil that is fairly high in organic matter. To improve soil fertility, mix 1 inch of well-rotted manure, compost, or a general fertilizer such as 5-10-5 throughout the planting bed about a week before planting. (Apply 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet.

Do you need 2 eggplants to produce fruit?

The answer is that the eggplant is self-pollinating due to its “perfect” or “complete” flowers. Perfect flowers contain both anthers (which produce pollen) and pistils (which receive the pollen).

How often should eggplant be watered?

Eggplant also needs consistent water, at least 1 inch per week. It is better to give one thorough soaking than several frequent, short waterings, because frequent watering promotes shallow roots. Weather and soil type, of course, will affect water demand.

Should I trim eggplant leaves?

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 can you tell a male from a female eggplant?

Male eggplants tend to have fewer seeds, and are therefore less bitter than female eggplants. To sex an eggplant, look at the indentation at bottom. If it’s deep and shaped like a dash, it’s a female. If it’s shallow and round, it’s a male.

How many times does an eggplant bear fruit?

A good place to start might be the classic ‘Black Beauty,’ a six-inch, dark purple type that is well suited to home gardens. This is the classic western eggplant heirloom variety that has been the standard for over a century. This cultivar generally yields four to six fruits per plant.

How do you know if a eggplant flower is male or female?

There is an ongoing controversy around the garden world about whether eggplants produce male and female fruits. According to the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, eggplants don’t have any sex differences. Each fruit has both male and female parts.

What should you not plant next to eggplant?

Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel.

How often should you fertilize eggplant?

Fertilize weekly with a soluble fertilizer. Until the plants start to flower use a balanced fertilizer with a 1-1-1 ratio such as 20-20-20 or 20-30-20.

Do eggplant plants come back every year?

Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual.

How tall will eggplants grow?

Plants can grow 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, which means they need to be staked. Eggplants also thrive in heat like their close relatives tomatoes and peppers, so they go outside until after cool spring temperatures pass.

How big does eggplant get before picking?

Eggplant should be harvested when they are one-third to two-thirds full mature size. But size can be confusing. There are many eggplant varieties, and they produce fruit of many different sizes.

Is Epsom salt good for eggplants?

As the plants grow, they need an even moisture supply. They do well with a drip irrigation system, but many watering methods work. When the first blossoms appear, spray the plants with a seaweed extract with one teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved per gallon. The solution improves fruit set.

Is Miracle Grow good for eggplants?

If you are looking for an all-around great option for eggplants then I recommend the Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food. This is one of the Best Eggplant Fertilizers EVER! This fertilizer instantly feeds providing bigger, better eggplants. You can apply it every two weeks with a garden feeder.

Is coffee grounds good for eggplants?

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.