WikiGardener
Advertisement
Aubergine
Aubergine.2-1-
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: Solanum melongena
Synonyms

Aubergine
Brinjal
Eggplant
Melongene

Plant Data
Min germination temp: 15°C (59°F)
Max germination temp: 20°C (68°F)
Germination time: 9 days
Time to transplanting: +40 days
Time to harvesting: +73 days
Mature height: 40-150cm (16-57in)
Sow depth: 0.5cm (¼in)
Growing plant spacing: 60cm (2ft)
Growing row spacing: 60cm (2ft)
References: [1][2]
Hardiness Zones
Ideal Hardiness Zones
· · · · 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The eggplant or aubergine (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae and genus Solanum. As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato. It is a delicate perennial often cultivated as an annual. It grows 40-150cm (16-57in) tall, with large coarsely lobed leaves that are 10-20cm (4–8in) long and 5-10cm (2–4in) broad. The fruit is fleshy, has a meaty texture, less than 3cm (1.2in) in diameter on wild plants, but much larger in cultivated forms. The fruit is botanically classified as a berry, and contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.

Planner[]

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Sowing (greenhouse crop)
Sowing (outdoor crop)
Planting (greenhouse crop)
Planting (outdoor crop)
Picking time

Growing[]

Location[]

For outdoor cultivation, choose a well-drained, sunny, sheltered location.

Soil[]

Add a general-purpose fertilizer before planting.

Sowing[]

Sow two seedlings per pot 0.5cm (¼in) deep in pots. Raise under glass at 15-20°C (59-68°F). Remove the weaker seedling after germination.

Transplanting[]

Harden off before planting outdoors. Transplant to final location leaving 60cm (2ft) between plants in each direction.[2]

Aftercare[]

Remove growing tip when plant is 30cm (12in) high. Mist plants regularly to control red spider mites and encourage fruit set. Once 5 fruit have formed, remove lateral shoots and remaining flowers.[2]

Water regularly, but do not keep the compost sodden. Add a tomato fertiliser with each watering once fruit have begun to swell.[2]

Harvesting[]

Cut fruit once it is large enough, approximately 12-15cm (5-6in) long, but before the surface shine has gone. Dull fruit tend to be over-ripe and bitter.[2]

Troubles[]

Full troubles list: Eggplant/Troubles

References[]

  1. Eggplant Solanum melongena. myfolia. Retrieved: 2010-07-31.
  2. a b c d e Hessayon, D.G. (2009). The Vegetable & Herb Expert. Transworld Publishers, London. p. 12. ISBN 9780903505468
This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).
v  d  e
Aubergine varieties
Aubergine Black beauty
Advertisement