Aubergines not in a greenhouse?

[BilboWaggins]

I've tried in good summers in Hampshire (about 5 miles as the crow flies from the Solent, guess that's fairly"south") and like many other Vines, got flowers but no fruit. I woldn't bother again unless they were under cover.

[Rhona]

I've always grown mine outdoors as haven't had a greenhouse. Most years get flowers and tiny fruit, but got a couple of decent sized ones three or four years ago. It can be done - even up here in Sheffield! I never have them in huge pots; sheltered spot, and more or less leave them to it. Good luck!

[Alice]

Last year I got 4 miserable little fruits from 3 plants in the conservatory. I said I wasn't going to bother with aubergines any more. But I am . I'll give it one last go this year.

[Flummery]

@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?

Not particularly different in flavour - but I wanted to cut them in slices for a moussaka - I might as well have tried slicing a pencil!

[smallblueplanet]

Not particularly different in flavour - but I wanted to cut them in slices for a moussaka - I might as well have tried slicing a pencil!

Lol! They'd have made a fun moussaka for sure!

[gojiberry]

Tried again last year but only got one aubergine from eight plants, all under glass but probably didn't give them enough room. Will try again this year.

Ian

[spennysaint]

HI All

I have grown aubergines for the past three years (not from seed though, although planning to this year). Twice i've had dwarf ones in baskets. One of the baskets i got a as a present and it had aubergine, chilli and toms in. The second i had just aubergine. Both grew really well and had lots of baby aubergines. However last year i had a normal size one in a container and only had three aubergines.

My plan this year is to have baskets again. I'm in the process of working out which variety of seeds to buy - any suggestions greatfully received. I need to get cracking though cos i want to plant them as soon as my toms, peppers or sprong onions have germinated, hopefully soon!!

Claire

[selfraising]

Aubergine Ophelia F1 has baby fruit, so I'm assuming it's dwarf. I'm trying it for the first time this year.

[tootles]

Much farther south here!!

I had a few plants last year but they were all killed off by a late frost. their replacements were quite late - but I did get a few fruit before the season ended. The plants in the greenhouse did nothing though....too hot I think.

Edit - Thinking about it, it wasn't an early frost - it was an early heatwave (sorry!) while I was in Spain for a week and they all dried out and keeled over - peppers too

[spennysaint]

hi self raising

ophelia F1 was one that i was looking at along with calliope F1. I liked the look of this one cos it's purple and creaam streaks. I also assumed that they are dwarf and bushy due to the size of the fruit

Claire

[selfraising]

If you go for ophelia, we'll compare notes later. Or go for both! I've seen calliope, attractive looking fruit

[selfraising]

Hi Tootles
Just out of interest, do they need a lot of feeding?

[spennysaint]

ok decision made. I'm going for both, will let you know how i get on! I jsut fed them with my tom feed when i fed the tomatoes, not sure if this was the riight thing to do but seemed ok

[leoblackcat]

Thanks guys.

I have some seeds for Mixed Aubergines from Mr Fothergills, so I think I will give them a try. My husband put a bench in our shed so that i can put plants next to the window but it is not quite a greenhouse. It probably is one or two degrees warmer in there than outside though. Think I may keep them in there and move them outside during the day in summer - maybe it would just be easier to get a plastic greenhouse!

[Herbie]

If you go for ophelia, we'll compare notes later. Or go for both! I've seen calliope, attractive looking fruit

I grew ophelia last year, started on the patio with one plant. I grew really well with lots of flowers. I moved it ,late in the summer into the greenhouse and ended up with 8 mini aubergines. I think it did better in the greenhouse because of humidity, I sprayed down the staging and slabs. Would definetly grow this variety again but would keep in the greenhouse.