Harvest eggplant 65 to 80 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. 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.
Is eggplant an annual or perennial?
annual
Mature plants range from 1 to 8 feet in height. Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual. Eggplant flowers are star-shaped in various shades of purple and usually form on opposite leaves as either solitary blooms or grouped in clusters of two or more.
How long does it take for eggplant to grow?
Eggplants are ready to harvest as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. Harvest fruits with skin that is glossy and thin. Eggplants can be harvested when they are small, though growing them longer allows for a larger harvest. Harvestable fruits should be firm and inside seeds should not be visible once cut open.
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.
Do eggplants grow back?
Although eggplants will keep growing and flowering, they are more productive if cut back and allowed to regrow during late summer. Cut plants to about 6 to 8 inches in early August, cut at a crotch, fertilize and allow them to regrow. Fertilize and keep soils moist to force them to regrow.
How many seasons do eggplants last?
How Long Does Eggplant Last?
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Eggplant (whole) | 3 – 4 days | 7 days |
| Eggplant (cut) | 3 – 4 days | |
| Eggplant (cooked) | 3 – 4 days |
Does eggplant grow all year round?
The plant is in the same Solanaceae family as tomatoes and peppers, so it may grow from year to year, depending on the climate.
How many eggplants do you get per 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 is the best month to plant eggplant?
Eggplants can only grow in warm soil—50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. 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 many days can you harvest eggplant?
60-100 days
Thinning is also applied. Commercial eggplant growers remove some sprouts in order to encourage the plant to devote its resources in fewer but bigger and tastier fruits. Most commercial eggplant varieties can be harvested 60-100 days after transplanting.
How long will an eggplant produce fruit?
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.
Why is my eggplant flowering but not fruiting?
When an eggplant has flowers but no fruit, this is due to one of two issues. The first thing that can cause eggplant flowers to fall off is a lack of water and the other is a lack of pollination.
Why do my eggplant flowers keep falling off?
And when it’s extra hot in your area, you’ll want to check the soil moisture daily. If you don’t water your S. melongena deeply or often enough, in the absence of rain, the plant will become stressed, and it will drop blossoms in order to focus its nutrients and redirect its energy toward surviving.
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.
Does eggplant need a lot of water?
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.
How do I get my eggplant to produce 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 eggplant not good for you?
Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting, and heart arrhythmias.
How do you prune an eggplant for the winter?
Prune to the lowest growth before winter to keep it as a perennial. In the fall before temperatures drop and the first frost forms, prune your plant back to the lowest point of new growth. New growth should still be green on the outside and inside. This will require you to harvest any remaining fruit.
How tall do 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. Fruit fails to set at temperatures below 65°F.
Can eggplants survive the winter?
They are sensitive to frost, so if in cooler region grow the seedlings inside until they are more mature and the soil has warmed.
Do eggplants grow fast?
Thanks to their broad leaves, eggplant seedlings grow quickly, gaining size faster than tomatoes or peppers. If you have a long, warm growing season and use a split season planting plan, you can start seeds in midsummer for a fall crop.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.