Spikes on aubergine leaves

[chris]

Never noticed this before, is it normal? Top side along the veins..

Could it be a defence mechanism? They got munch on by my chickens before and have bounced back.

[taff]

normal

....

[DigChop]

Hopefully normal. As a first timer I've noticed that the broad leaved, innocuos looking, fruitful, plant has an unxpected spikiness. No defence however against my pilfering hands.

[FionaH]

Aye perfectly normal, just a bit of a shock first time I grew them

[chris]

Bizarre! I didn't get spikes on them last year!

[gojiberry]

Anyone got to the flowering fruiting stage yet? Mine are still only 4in high so a bit behind this year. Never noticed plants without spikes in the past, will have a check later as I have several varieties.

Ian

[chris]

... Could be why I didn't get any fruit last year!

Mine are probably 8" high now but not flowering yet.

[smallblueplanet]

Some are more spiky than others - can be very painful if you forget!

[northepaul]

Normal,Chris.
I have flowers and am on tender hooks...got this far last year but no fruit.!!
So wish me luck!!

[Zenithtb]

Mine are flowering also but no fruit setting that I can see, so I think you're all OK so far!

[Alison]

Yeah, mine always have spikes and can be quite painful then harvesting if you're not careful. Mine aren't flowering yet but hopefully soon

[1066]

yes,and ouch! the spikes came as a surprise to me last year as well.
No flowers here, still settling into their new home in the greenhouse

[Zenithtb]

Talking of spikes; the one plant I did NOT expect them on was melons! Yet if you're moving them about to see what's happening, you get embedded with tiny little snap-off spikes. Had to spend ages trying to remove them :-((