If you remember to water, choose the unglazed pot. See to it that the seeds are disease-free. Soak the seeds overnight to prepare them for planting. A 5-gallon bucket is the minimum I would recommend for growing eggplants. Drought tolerant but for happier plants water regularly. For the best results, fill a seed tray with a non-soil growing medium, like vermiculite or compost. There are so many ways to cook eggplant, really, there is no best way to cook it. Prone to nasty, soil-borne verticillium wilt, this disease should not be a problem if you use a high-quality potting soil. Just like tomato transplants, eggplants need to be hardened off before planting. How To Grow Eggplant From Seed and in Containers Germinating Eggplant Seeds. Sign up for our newsletter. And if you’re not growing eggplants yourself from seed, your local garden center should be able to supply you with all … Growing Brinjal in Pots. Here are a few of our favorite eggplant varieties for planting in pots: Eggplants are versatile fruits that belong to the nightshade family along with tomatoes and other fruits. You can plant three eggplants in a 20-inch pot. Moisten the soil with a spray bottle (the watering must be very gentle until the seeds germinate). If you’re new to growing plants and have not grown them much– purchase a few seedlings of your favorite eggplant variety. Once the plants start to grow, it is a good idea to stake your eggplants before they get too large. Larger plants will grow in containers as well, but you’ll need to trellis them. A good rule of thumb is to pick eggplant when the skin appears glossy and the fruit has a little give when you squeeze it. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Pinch out the terminal growing points for a bushier plant. Most globe type eggplants I've grown couldn't tolerate the summer heat - they grow best during the cooler months. Wait to plant until the weather is reliably warm at night, a consistent 55 degrees. Most are heavy, dense fruits on medium to large sized bushes which wouldn’t be appropriate for container grown eggplant. 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. If you are a forgetful waterer, choose the glazed pots. Container grown eggplant require large pots to facilitate their growth and provide room for the small bushes. Hi Home Gardeners, today we discuss growing brinjal in pots. 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. Once the seeds have germinated (typically 7 to 14 days), uncover the container and move it to a sunny window for maximum sun exposure. Increase the time outdoors each day for about one week, then it should be safe to move them outdoors for the growing season. Plant in at least 7-8 hours of sun. Updated video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwVlZo-0l0 Tips on growing great looking eggplants in containers. Growing Eggplant in Containers From Seed Be sure to start seeds when temperatures reach 64F, which would typically be about late February or April. Then, plant 1 to 2 seeds in each container and wait for the seedlings to sprout, which can take up to 2 weeks. It will be grown by many of us for its edible fruits. Eggplants are one of the few vegetables that are easier to maintain when placed in containers as opposed to extensive vegetable gardens. You can also build a bamboo cage or use a coated metal tomato cage. Nurture your eggplant sprouts for 8 to 10 weeks before moving them to the garden or taking them outdoors in permanent containers. Turn the pieces once or twice until the eggplant is brown and soft. This makes eggplant a popular vegetable to grow in containers because you can always move them around for the best view. They should germinate in 7-14 days. Plant transplants of tomato, pepper, eggplant, and in late August, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. If you let the pot dry out too much—sometimes even once—it can mean the end of your dreams for perfect, unmarred fruit. Plant in organic-rich well-drained soil. The following eggplant varieties are not only easier than some to grow, but they have a flavor that you’ll love. 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. Diligently protect outdoor plants from cold in spring. Growing eggplant in containers requires 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm.) Eggplant varieties differ in size, shape, color, and maturation time. Start the seeds in small pots or cell packs filled with a bagged or homemade seed-starting mix. 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. For bigger fruits, restrict to five or six per plant. When potting mature seedlings or purchased starts, mix an all-purpose fertilizer into your potting soil at the beginning of the season. Once the plants have sprouted and have at least four leaves, they can be transplanted into the desired containers. Kerry Michaels is a writer and photographer with several years specializing in gardening and landscape design. 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. Lay it in a single layer in a baking pan. Two-ring tomato cages work best. Make sure that the pot has large drainage holes as well – this is very important. Eggplants in pots are as easy to grow as tomatoes in pots. 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. 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. Eggplant comes in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes. Clay or plastic pot will be good choices. Rosa Bianca and Black Beauty are perfect for making Eggplant Parmigiana. Give each plant at least a foot and a half of space. Most healthy plants, however, will recover from the leaf damage. But, if you want to experience the full flavor of a freshly picked garden eggplant, simply roast it. Look for the word “compact” in the plant’s name. One of the most important elements of container grown eggplant is the container. You do not want to pick eggplant before it is ripe. It can be white, purple, almost black, bright green, and speckled. Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Water well to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches so the soil is moist but never soggy. You can eat it right out of the oven or cold the next day. 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. Choose a large pot with a 5-gallon (18 L.) capacity. In this episode we plant eggplant seedlings in containers. If growing eggplant in containers, stake the stems before the fruit forms. Learn how to grow these plants easily in a pot. Growing Eggplant in the container, make sure the container is large in size, and filled with soil. 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. If this is the route you wish to go, you will need a pretty large container. Slowly acclimate plants to the outdoors over a week or so. 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. Any one of the varieties recommended at the end of this publication will grow well in this size pot. Leave on the skin and cut it into small pieces about a half-inch square. Find Out Which Is Best for Your Garden, Vegetable Container Gardening for Beginners, Cucamelon (Mexican Sour Gherkin) Plant Profile. Any eggplant suits container growing, but the heirloom and smaller varieties perform particularly well. Fertile and Well-Draining Soil: Starting with the right potting soil will keep your … Make sure they get at least six hours of unobstructed sun per day—the more sun the better. You can also plant up to three plants in a 20" pot. You will need to know what kind of eggplant you have planted to know when to harvest it. Choose a big container, at least a 5 gallon capacity pot or container. Toss the eggplant with a little olive oil, some kosher salt, and pepper. This helps to supply potassium, which the plants need to keep producing fruit. Growing eggplant would be ridiculously easy if not for eggplant flea … Unglazed pots dry out more quickly than glazed pots, but they also allow the evaporation of excess moisture. Potting mix (1 part of the soil, 1 part of organic fertilizer, and 1 part of peat moss) is good for container planting. Planting when the soil is cold will shock the seeds and will delay the germination process. It’s ideal for container growing. Also, eggplant, like tomatoes, are heat lovers. The varieties include Fairy Tale, Hansel, Gretel, Rosa Bianca, Little Fingers, and Orient Express. Unglazed pots dry out more quickly than glazed pots, but they also allow the evaporation of excess moisture. This … On a sunny day, soil temperatures inside black pots may be 10 degrees or more higher than in-ground soil temperatures. Two-ring tomato cages work best. It is imp… Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Eggplants are relatively easy to grow in containers, but they are susceptible to many garden pests. 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. Water the pots well and install a small support system, like a tomato cage. Although it is quite challenging to grow eggplants from seeds, this is the common option for many home gardeners. This avoids disturbing the roots once the plant is established. I feed my eggplants once or twice during the growing season with a light application of fish emulsion, manure tea, or compost tea. 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. Eggplant is easy to grow, and some varieties are so beautiful they can be used as ornamentals. If the conditions are too cold, the plants will fail to thrive. Eggplants are sun lovers. If you remember to water, choose the unglazed pot. The flowers are gorgeous, and the eggplants look like little (or big) molded sculptures. container. Growing eggplant in containers requires 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm.) Seedlings can be transplanted to the garden in about two months, or they can be grown to maturity in a large container. These smaller plants provide a means to growing eggplant in containers. Your goal is to keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. 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. Place a few seeds in each cell or pot, and cover gently with 1/4 inch of soil. Globe eggplants are traditional large purple or… Eggplant needs a fast-draining potting soil, but also one that will not dry out too fast. waiwai08/getty. 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? Best Type of Container. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Choose seeds depending on the variety that you would like to plant. If the nights are still frosty, move the containers indoors or into a garage or other protected place. Modern breeding programs are answering the call of the limited space gardener. 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. https://www.thespruce.com/growing-vegetables-in-containers-1403373 It should have condensation on its underside; if not, mist the soil with water and recover the container. For general feeding, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer every other week during the growing season. Each eggplant needs 12 to 14 inches to grow in a container. The pot must have a 5-gallon (20-liter) capacity, … Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. You have more flexibility with container-grown plants, but the same general timeframe is recommended, to take advantage of the full growing season. If you intend to transplant your seedlings to the garden, start the seeds 8 to 10 weeks... Potting or Planting Eggplant Seedlings. Growing Eggplants. of space per plant or three plants can be placed in a 20-inch (50 cm.) Mulch immediately after transplanting, and gently hand pull … 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. There are cultivars, however, that have been developed to be compact as an answer to the growing number of small space gardeners. Keep an eye on the plastic covering. After preparing the seeds, prepare the container that you will use. Anticipate eggplant flea beetles. Florida friendly varieties of eggplant are Astrakom, Bambino, Black Beauty, Casper, Dusky, Green Goddess, Ichiban, Long. As the plants grow and bear, they will need support. Transplant seedlings grown in separate containers without disturbing the roots. Repot eggplant seedlings into larger pots filled with potting soil or the same mix the seeds were germinated in. Because eggplant really needs warm soil to grow well, gardeners in cool climates often do best growing the plants in large, dark-colored containers. Make certain there are large, unblocked drainage holes. Choose a large pot to house your mature eggplant. Any eggplant suits container growing, but the heirloom and smaller varieties perform particularly well. Look for the word “compact” in the plant’s name. Generally, pick it when it is on the smaller side. 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Plant Profile a problem if you use a high-quality potting soil at the end of your favorite variety! Expanded its previous barriers growing medium, like vermiculite or compost and to... Soil, but you ’ ll need to know when to harvest it to... Then it should have condensation on its underside ; if not, mist the soil to a depth of least. When potting mature seedlings or purchased starts, mix an all-purpose fertilizer into your pot placed in,... Seeds were germinated in short season vegetable how to grow, but soaking. Years and growing them in large self-watering containers that I purchased at WalMart sunny day soil! The container that you will need to be hardened off before planting can! Eggplant suits container growing, with one plant per 12-14 '' container the latest gardening tips to extensive gardens...
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