Aubergine and attack of the Aphids

[Florence Fennel]

At least by comparing notes we realise we are not failures! If I remember rightly I think Binley tried purple long last year and was disappointed, so she is trying something different this time. Don't quote me, I might be wrong. I just wonder if she has had better luck with a different variety.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Kevin the moody aubergine doesn't look any happier. Looks more morose actually, with each passing day. I am therefore? seriously contemplating pulling him up and using the grow bag for something else. Am I jumping a gun, or is Kevin for the high jump?

[Ja9]

Give kevin a bit longer...my aubergines were plagued by aphids last year and I spent many an hour brushing them off with a kids big paintbrush ( less painful than squishing with fingers,due to the spikes!)
It seemed quite fussy and didn't like to be overwatered, so perhaps er on the dry side? might be better not to allow any flowers to develop yet if its such a small plant

[horticultural_hobbit]

Thank you, Ja9. I looked at Kevin yesterday, and didn't want to pull him up without a fight. He is now covered in a mock greenhouse fashion( one of pops' transparent gardening bag things). And I'll try the dry err-ing.

That said. What I am thinking of doing, is to try and grow some types that are better suited to Brummieland Blighty. Will be an analogue aubergine study. See if I can anything at all! Are there any that I should look out for?

Pops' garden is south facing, gets between 6-8 hours+ of sunshine when the summer works properly. As a container gardener though, that is a further variable.

Aim: to germinate and propagate an aubergine plant in turn producing a crop.

Hypothesis: aurbergine plant can be germinated and propagated to produce at least one aubergine during or after the growing season.

[Lotsaveg]

My aubergines are in thepolytunnel and aren't bothered by aphids but earwigs love the leaves

Very interesting!! I found holes in mine and discovered it was earwigs feeding in the growing tips! The holes they were making became huge as the leaves expanded. First time I've experienced this earwig problem.

[Lotsaveg]

Mine are throwing armpit leaves out left right and centre... still no bloomin' flowers mind.

Do you remove armpit growth on aubergine plants?

[Florence Fennel]

I ignored mine yesterday. Used to do that when my children were sulky teenagers and they've done all right.

[Florence Fennel]

I wish mine had got armpits!

[horticultural_hobbit]

I think Miserable Kevin has ceased to exist. He is now an ex-aubergine, and I am not a happy hobbit Will have to attend an aubergine wake later.

Whilst I am too late to sow Kevin mark two, any ideas please as to what the next Kevin the Aubergine may be? I would really like to make Ma smile next time, and perhaps get some Aubergine and Onion Bhaji's out of it!