Aubergines 2023

[Zelenina]

Here's a Guardian article that goes into raptures about the Thai Long Green.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/202...mpares-to-this

It includes a recipe, but doesn't say where to buy the seeds.

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks for that info, smallblueplanet.

They sound fantastic. I've found seeds from a supplier in Holland. Not much use to you, SBP, I'm afraid. But possibly of interest to you, Zelenina. https://www.seeds-gallery.shop/nl/ho...ant-seeds.html
The white ones I have grown in the past are more bulbous than the ones shown in your link, Zelenina. They look more like these: https://www.manomano.es/p/sem-berenj...calba-43629502

[Zelenina]

Thanks Snoop. Two more online seed shops to explore.

I already have the Long Green Thais in my long-running virtual basket at Tess Gruun, another Dutch supplier, https://tessgruun.eu/fruit-vegetable...-green-elephan where they also have a very tempting selection of tomatoes and other interesting things. I keep adding stuff to my basket and then getting strict with myself and taking it out again. It's too late for more tomatoes this year isn't it? (Although I bought two packets of them in a shop today - ready for next year.)

Those white ones look a bit white eggish, though presumably much bigger. I was trying to read the back of the packet for more info, but ended up reading about Cat Mint because they've mixed up the photos.

[Snoop Puss]

Those white ones look a bit white eggish, though presumably much bigger. I was trying to read the back of the packet for more info, but ended up reading about Cat Mint because they've mixed up the photos.

They're like Black Beauty, I guess, in size and shape.

[Zelenina]

A few of my aubergine seeds are germinating. The first were three Lagada seedlings that are up properly now. Then there's one Early Czech and three of my self-saved Gobi just starting to show. Nothing yet from the Gobi packet, nor from my 2018 self-saved Tsakoniki seeds.

[Vince G]

Love an aubergine, although Mrs G is not keen so I tend to scoff the lot! Does anyone have a view on the best variety that has the fewest seeds in them? Not really a problem but if there are any realtively seed free varieties of the normal purple type out there, I'd prefer those.

[Snoop Puss]

fimblefowl (formerly quanglewangle) used to say that an aubergine was ready to harvest when it had just turned purple and glossy. That way you avoid lots of seeds. He posted photos of his tremendous crops of aubergines in his greenhouse, so he's something of an aubergine expert. Me, I don't mind the seeds so much.

These people claim this aubergine is nearly seedless, but that could just be marketing: https://www.plantsofdistinction.co.u...ne-genie-0105d

[Muddy_Boots]

Well the long purple ones have germinated and I have about 6 plants but the Black Beauty seeds were past their sell by date and didn't do anything so I've started chitting another seed packet that's in date for the sow by on the packet.

In my field where I can get as much well rotted compost as I like that is actually more like dark soil its so well rotted I've discovered a load of 25cm square pots (1 Litre) that were removed from a cannabis grow the police discovered by one of the people that use the field after the police asked him to dispose of them. Taken 20 of them so far but I reckon there must be about another 200 that I can use for growing the Tomatoes, Aubergines, Melons and any other plants in that's the suitable use of these pots.

[Zelenina]

My aubergine seeds eventually germinated much better than I expected, so I have far too many seedlings. Hopefully I can give some of them away when they're a bit bigger. One of the Early Czechs is looking suspiciously like a tomato. I expect a stray seed fell into that cell, because none of the ones I sowed looked like tomato seeds.

[ColumbusWaugh]

Hi everyone who is growing vegetables! I want to share my experience of growing eggplants in 2022. I planted them in the open field in early May and at the end of June I was already able to enjoy the harvest. One of the most important things about growing eggplants is choosing a variety. I chose the variety "Black Beauty", which showed excellent results. The plants were strong and healthy, the fruits had a rich color and excellent taste. Another important factor is the proper care of plants. I watered regularly and fertilized them. I also removed damaged and diseased leaves to prevent the spread of disease. Eggplants are a great choice for those who love vegetables. Not only are they delicious, but they are also healthy. If you haven't tried growing eggplant yet, I highly recommend you try it next season. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results!

[peanut]

Before I send my aubergines to the compost heap, I wondered if anyone has successfully overwintered them?
Given I've not managed to overwinter a pepper plant I imagine an aubergine is way out of my league, but I'm curious to know if it's possible, by cutting it right back, not trying to keep it in leaf 🤔

[Snoop Puss]

Before I send my aubergines to the compost heap, I wondered if anyone has successfully overwintered them?
Given I've not managed to overwinter a pepper plant I imagine an aubergine is way out of my league, but I'm curious to know if it's possible, by cutting it right back, not trying to keep it in leaf 🤔

Looks like Chippy Minton did here: https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ing-aubergines

How warm can you keep them over winter?

[peanut]

Looks like Chippy Minton did here: https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ing-aubergines

How warm can you keep them over winter?

Thanks for that link Snoop Puss. They'd be in a spare bedroom so never, cold cold.

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks for that link Snoop Puss. They'd be in a spare bedroom so never, cold cold.

Sounds like it might be well worth a go. When I Googled, one hit suggested you could keep them going for a number of years.

[ChingfordHarry]

Just to let people know what I decided to do this year. I got "Slim Jim" from Sarah Raven - I had very poor germination (but I think that was me this year - none of my pepper seeds germinated at all, and my tomatoes were also a bit iffy). Managed to get two plants, which eventually (today...) gave me a total of ~260g of finger-sized aubergines - which is what I was after. Perfect for my baghara baigan (Hyderabadi-style aubergine), which went down a treat. I didn't find any "garden egg" type seeds, so that's another one to try next year (from what I've discovered, I'll probably need to grow them under cover if I manage to get hold of any seeds).