Aubergine flowers

[Muriel]

I recently brought 2 aubergine plants from focus. They did have lots of flowers on them, but some of them seem to be dying off. Does that mean that i'm losing my plants. Will I actually get any fruit from them.

Many Thanks

Muriel

[Alice]

Hello Muriel - well it's the aubergine problem. If you're a witch you'll get fruit from them, if you're a mere mortal like the rest of us you might get lucky.
I've struggled with them for a couple of years. This year is definately my last shot.
I've got a few small aubergines - but nothing to justify the effort.
On a practical note, if you mist the plants with water it will help the flowers to set fruit (Ha Ha).
I think the truth is we are outside the required climatic zone.
But give it a go and good luck.
Do let us know how you get on.

[stigoftheplot]

I'm trying aubergines this year. I grew them from seed. I put about a dozen in the greenhouse as couldn't remember how big they got or how much fruit they'd have, with the intention of pulling out the excess. I also gave some extras to my friend for her greenhouse. Both of us have had flowers but no fruit. I've been pollinating mine by hand incase thats the problem & we've both looked them up in books but nowhere says fruit set is difficult. I mentioned it to my mum the other day & she said hers which were in a very sheltered sunny corner in her garden didnt do more than flower & that my brother has tried them in his summer house & had the same problem. It seems though the books say it's easy, I've not found anyone who's had success!

[Comfreyfan]

Last year I managed several fruits from both the plants I grew in the greenhouse - they were wonderful, the plants looked really scruffy though. This year the plants are really smart, lots of leaves and flowers, same greenhouse, but the flowers won't set - everything else in the greenhouse is busy fruiting away, so it's getting pollinated - just so frustrated with the aubergines. There have been a few other threads saying exactly the same, I've decided it just hasn't been warm enough for long enough here.

[Capsid]

I've got fruit on my aubergines growing in the greenhouse. I pinch the tops out to make them bush up and restrict the number of fruits per plant to about 4-6.

[smallblueplanet]

When the weather was warmer & sunnier our aubs were fruiting, but for about the past month with the return of the poor weather there's been very little growth, although a couple of flowers have set.

Basically even in the greenhouse its been too cold and not enough sunshine for them.

[di]

Ours are still flowerless!They're not taking up any desperately needed space so I'll leave them be but not reallly expecting anything from them this year!Bought a pack of seeds the other day & I'll make sure next year to get them sown in Feb to give them the best shot & optimum growing time!

[Cutecumber]

I'm a witch (see above!)

Some flowers do fall off, and that's just as well because the plant can't support many fruit.

Keep your fingers' crossed and some may still set.

[smallblueplanet]

...and that's just as well because the plant can't support many fruit...

Surely that depends on the type of aubergine you're growing? The long ones often grow in 'bunches'.

[Cutecumber]

True, I grow standard fat purple ones. A few set, then the flowers fall.

Different types will set a different number of fruit. Oh, and it depends how much growing media there is, too.

In our relatively short, cool summers I don't think it's surprising that we struggle with aubergines.