Aubergines not in a greenhouse?

[leoblackcat]

Would like to grow some Aubergines this year, but I read somewhere that they will not be successful unless they are in a greenhouse - even in the South of the country.

Is this right? Has anyone had experience of growing them outside?

Thanks

[Gwen11ian]

You might get away with them on a very sunny protected patio. Give it a try if you have some space. Sow seeds indoor ASAP though, it would have been ideal to start them earlier.

[selfraising]

I grew an aubgergine plant outside last year. It got flowers but no fruit. However, I'm being optimistic and putting it down to last years bad weather! So I've sown some more and going to have another go!

[digthatchick]

I grew an aubgergine plant outside last year. It got flowers but no fruit. However, I'm being optimistic and putting it down to last years bad weather! So I've sown some more and going to have another go!

Interesting - mine had no fruit last year either, lots of flowers though. The year before - loads of lovely fruit

[selfraising]

Digthatchick, are you going to have another go?

[Eco-Chic]

I grew one last year, strong plant but no flowers or fruit. Label said it would prefer 6-8 hours sunshine a day. I don't think I saw that much all summer

[Alison]

I never do very well with aubergines even in the greenhouse. Am going to try once more this year with a couple of plants in the greenhouse and a couple in the conservatory and if no luck then the space will be used for something else next year. You're further south than me so may have more luck but make sure you put it somewhere sheltered and maybe in a pot so that you can protect it easier if you get a bad spell.

[digthatchick]

Digthatchick, are you going to have another go?

Yes definitely, in the greenhouse. Hopefully better luck this time.

[BrideXIII]

i'll be sowing mine in about 2 weeks, and i'll be bringing them on indoors, then transfering them to the greenhouse when its warm and sunnyish, can it be done? no idea, will i be trying? yes i will.....sounds like an experimental to me.

[PAULW]

Grew mine outside last year loads of flowers and I got one fruit from half a dozen plants but as someone already said it wasn't the best of summers

[bobleponge]

Even further south here, my friends tried and failed. I seem to recall they had a couple of fruit from several plants (all outdoors in raised beds) but the fruit didnt actually come to much. However we also had an atrocious summer last year.

[di]

I'm yet to have any success but I think it's more down to making my sowings too late previous years.I've got some seedlings ready to prick out now,also I bought a couple of different varieties which I want to sow ASAP.
There's a chap at the lottie that always manages a row of perfectly formed aubergines outside on his plot so I know it's possible.
My plans this year are to try a few in the greenhouse(starting to think I'm not getting a polytunnel this year),some outside at the lottie,some near the house at home & maybe a couple on a windowsill indoors.....I WILL have aubergines this year!!!

[Flummery]

I once had fruits on a sheltered patio area in one of the long-ago hot summers - I think it was 1976! I got fruits from a few greenhouse plants the year before last (didn't sow any last year) but they turned out very long and thin - I should have read the packet! So I've got three tiny shoots on the windowsill and they will go into my cold greenhouse at the end of May. I'm growing Black Beauty. Hopng for some sensible shaped ones this time!

[cupcake]

I managed a few "calliope" from late sowed seed, but the big plants , nothing at all.

[smallblueplanet]

Never tried outdoors, its tough enough growing them in a greenhouse tbh!

@Flum the long thin ones taste as good don't you think? Thai long green are very nice and prolific if you like a milder aubgerine. Ping tung long are great too, good taste and prolific. However I sense you're a traditionalist with your aub shape?

Last year we had some fruit from early long purple but the plant succumbed to wilt early in the summer, some rosa bianco, some hative de barbentane and some farmers long (edit - like cupcake we got a few calliope too)...but the weather which started well stopped them fruiting mid-summer and then later on they picked up when the weather picked up again.

Got 4 varieties starting in the heated prop last Saturday.