This article has been viewed 30,815 times. When the fruit is ripe the skin will turn glossy. When to harvest eggplant. Trees-Acacia. But, as long as you pay attention to these basic needs, it will reward you over and over during its long growing season. But, as long as you pay attention to these basic needs, it will reward you over and over during its long growing season. Big leaf Maple. When harvesting, do not pull the fruit (as it won’t come off). If your plant has already gone through a period of production and seems like it’s starting to peter off, this is a good time to do some trimming. Unfortunately I don't recall. ", "Good tricks about taking care of a garden of vegetables!". So, growing eggplant is a little more difficult than most vegetables, but not by much. As your eggplant starts to bloom, pinch the first buds you see coming through. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut eggplants, keeping a short stub of stem attached. It’s better to pinch a little bit more of the stem than to leave a part of the blossom behind. Here are 7 of my favorite dark skinned cultivars: 1. With proper pruning and feeding, eggplant can be grown as a perennial, though gardeners should be prepared for harvests to decline eventually. To keep your plant healthy during the summer, thin out the leaves with garden shears, which will help reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Cut the fruit from the vine with a pair of pruning shears. Growing in a Container There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If weeds are a big problem, you could consider using an herbicide. Once your stake is in the ground, use garden twine or rubber ties to tie back the plant. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Be sure to get the roots of the weeds in addition to the leaves. The eggplant shrub (Solanum melongena) thrives as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10, but it's typically raised as an annual vegetable.This plant does best in well-drained soil in full sun and is prized for its smooth, dark, glossy fruit. Pratia. Eggplant is a popular vegetable most noted for its great flavor and dark purple color. It was about ten cm tall when I got it from the nursery; I'm sure some of the problem is the squash which I have to keep pruning back. About 65 to 70 days to maturity. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Use pruning to your advantage by controlling the fruit size. Trees-Acacia. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I grow the Japanese eggplant and this book helped me to grow healthier better producing plants. The exact product you will need depends on your variety of eggplant, as well as whether or not you plan on eating the fruits. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Cut all the branches in the center of the eggplant, leaving three to four main stalks. #3 feel the fruit. This Japanese heirloom variety produces round, egg-shaped fruits that are dark purple, almost black in color, with a black calyx. Home. The easiest way to harvest your eggplants is with pruning shears. Read on for more Fairy Tale eggplant information, including tips on how to grow fairy tale eggplants. They still have the same nutritive benefits and can be used in the same way. In order to rejuvenate ours insect stressed eggplants, I gave them a harsh trimming. If you’re eggplants aren’t growing, you can help pollinate the flowers by tapping on the plants to spread the pollen. Out Pruning: Shinzen Japanese Garden. Perennial Flowers + Moneyplant. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Crookneck Squash. It was about ten cm tall when I got it from the nursery; I'm sure some of the problem is the squash which I have to keep pruning back. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. I think it may be a Japanese style eggplant but I managed to get one that didn't have a marker. What Tools Are Needed for Pruning Eggplant? To learn how to cut back fruit on your eggplant, read more from our Gardening co-author! ‘Orient Express’ is a high-yielding hybrid cultivar that will set fruit in both cool and hot … Yellow Wild Indigo. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20706884/growing-eggplants/, http://203.64.245.61/web_crops/eggplant/culti_practices.pdf, http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene26b5.html, http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/18/news/la-lh-how-to-grow-eggplant-as-a-perennial-20121217, http://www.veggiegardener.com/how-to-stake-up-eggplant-for-support/, http://www.towergarden.com/blog.read.html/en/2015/5/prune_your_plantsfo.html, http://www.weekendgardener.net/garden-tool-care/pruners-050805.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, This encourages your plant to put more energy into. Shinzen Friendship Garden, Fresno, CA. Ask your local garden store or nursery for recommendations. The fruit is slender with thin skin. Pruning eggplants is a simple procedure. The primary Japanese varieties are ‘Ichiban’ and ‘Little Fingers.’ The ‘Ichiban’ eggplant is the most widely available and grows to 10 or 12 inches with slender, purple fruit. Ripe eggplants are firm to touch. Even though eggplants are perennials, they are typically grown as annuals. Every sucker or shoot you prune away is costing you eggplant fruit. The ideal size to pick Japanese eggplant is when they’re young, and about the length of your finger or a hot dog. The only time you need to salt it is if you know it's a little old or if you're going to fry or saute it. Last Updated: May 25, 2020 The most common types found at farmer’s and specialty markets are glossy, purple fruits. Serrano Pepper . This type of eggplant is as beautiful as it is delicious. Pick eggplant when the skin takes on a high gloss. Already the plant has a few flowers and a couple of fruit. Thoroughly clean the eggplant in cool water and pat dry. While taking Spinach and Japanese Eggplant care, it is important to know that too. Gently lift the foliage, and clip off any old. In this case, 99% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. How to Trim Eggplant. Otherwise, wrap in a dry paper towel and place in a perforated or loosely closed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Eggplant Parmesan is what many people think of when they consider eating eggplant at a meal. It matures in about 60 days and gets about 3 feet tall. Keep the water level consistent to avoid the dreaded blossom end rot. The Japanese eggplant is a thin-skinned sweet variety, similar to the Italian or Chinese eggplant. Japanese Eggplant. Ichiban Japanese eggplant is a productive variety that grows well in warm climates with full sun. Japanese eggplants not only produce long, elegant fruit, but gorgeous flowers, as well.This makes them practical and ornamental as container plants. This Japanese, all-white eggplant looks great in pots, especially among other colorful varieties such as long purple. • Try some of the tiny eggplants like Fairy Tale and Little Fingers. If you expect a hard freeze during winter, you will need to move your plant indoors or into a greenhouse. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. While growing eggplants may not be for everyone, those wishing to give it a go can find what they need in our eggplant care guide. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Early season Japanese type eggplant. I think it may be a Japanese style eggplant but I managed to get one that didn't have a marker. Like okra, eggplant thrives in the heat. Wearing garden gloves and using pruning shears to cut fruits is recommended. Crookneck Squash. Pinch the blossom below the receptacle. NEVER prune eggplant! With proper pruning and feeding, eggplant can be grown as a perennial, though gardeners should be prepared for harvests to decline eventually. Increases the air circulation through the stems and leaves, preventing the growth of bacteria, mold and fungus, Helps the leaves dry faster after watering and rain, preventing the spread of disease from excess moisture, Produces healthier fruit by directing more energy to its development. While taking Potato and Japanese Eggplant care, it is important to know that too. She supplied me with long white, purple and variegated varieties of eggplant. Simply so, should you salt Japanese eggplant? for baby eggplant and 1/4 lb. Both Western and Japanese eggplant should be ready to harvest in another 4–7 weeks. It gets 30 inches tall and matures in about 60 days. A, "This gave me a better idea about the best spot in my backyard for plant my peppers. While harvesting the Japanese eggplant texture is the most important. Size of Japanese Eggplant for Harvesting. Before beginning, disinfect your garden shears to prevent the spread of disease and pests left on them from previous use. To keep your eggplant healthy, you’ll want to prune it a few times throughout the year. Indian – These little eggplants (also known as baby eggplant) are almost too cute to eat. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are attractive bushes which make a stunning addition to any vegetable garden. Their small size makes them perfect for grilling and broiling. There are some excellent fast-maturing varieties that will give you a lovely yield of fruit as well, like the slender and delicious Japanese eggplant. The Japanese eggplant plant prefers a full day of sun to produce slender, glossy and purple-hued fruit. Black Egg. The ripe eggplants will feel sturdy and firm with a hard stem. Introducing Eggplant. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Planting Time(s) April through early May Ideal Temperatures, Air • Soil 65°-75°F • 70°F+ Days to Germination 10-15 Planting Depth • Spacing 1 / 4 ” • 2-4” Days to Harvest 65 (from transplant), 133 (seed) Harvest Tips • Harvest when fruits are smaller than mature size for variety. [1] X Research source This encourages your plant to put more energy into growing sturdy stalks and deep roots instead of producing new fruit right away. Drive your stake into the soil about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) away from the base of the plant. This also improves aeration and lifts the fruit off the ground, which helps prevent diseases. Fruits + Chicago Hardy Fig. Depending on the variety, pick your fruit when it’s between 4-6” long. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut eggplants, keeping a short stub of stem attached. Eggplants are best when harvested at one-third to one-half their mature size. Disinfect your shears when you’re all done to remove any harmful residue. Texas Redbud. This article has been viewed 30,815 times. Keep in mind that an eggplant bush can grow up to 4-feet tall, so choose a container that holds at least 5 gallons. After disinfecting, use a clean rag to apply a coat of lubricating oil such as WD-40 or boiled linseed oil to the blades of your shears. Eggplant pruning and providing its soil with proper fertilizers is an important part of caring it. (BurkeTriolo Productions / Getty Images) Dec. … This helps keep them rust-free and fully functional. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Eggplant is a popular vegetable most noted for its great flavor and dark purple color. To avoid the possibility of spreading plant disease, sterilize the blades of your shears or knife before and after cutting by soaking them for five minutes in a solution of equal parts isopropyl alcohol and water. Smaller variety eggplants such as Indian eggplants and little fingers can maintain up to a dozen fruits per plant. All you need to do is stake your plants for support, maintain a few healthy fruits, and pinch off leaves showing signs of infection or flowers 2 to 4 weeks before the first frost. If you decide to plant your eggplants as annuals, you can compost your plants after you pull them out for the winter as long as they are free of pests and disease. Orient Express. Eggplant does not like cold weather and it’s also a little fussy about its food and water. Step 1 Clean, peel and cut the eggplant. Eggplants are known by many names and various varieties have been cultivated in vast regions of the globe. • Harvest while skins are glossy and fruits slightly spongy. About 7 inches long, the fruits are white. Yellow Wild Indigo. Yellow masses of insect eggs on the underside of leaves. Zoysia, just ignore those websites that tell you to prune eggplant. Japanese eggplant is a delight on the plate and you can grow this veggie right in your own backyard. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Prune-Eggplant-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Eggplant-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Prune-Eggplant-Step-1.jpg\/aid10070040-v4-728px-Prune-Eggplant-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"