Growing Aubergines

[smallblueplanet]

I'm having a go at growing aubergines for the first time this year. I'm about to repot them, so can someone tell me if you pot them deep like tomatoes, or keep the same substrate level?

Cheers,
MBE

Doesn't do them any harm but they don't root the same as chillies and tomatoes. They like it warm, humid and sunny - didn't get many fruits last year unsurprisingly, but have in previous years in an unheated greenhouse border. They can grow quite tall, over 60cm.

[mrbadexample]

Thanks sbp.

[WillyNelson]

Mrs W has requested I give Aubergines a go this year, so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

[bario1]

Same here, the missus wants me to grow some. Anyone had any success in Scotland? The best i can give them is a blowaway greenhouse...

[Ananke]

Bario1, i've tried a few times with no success. I've done them in wee pots, big pots and in the GH border. The plants themselves grow really well, then the fruits appear and get to about the size of a pear then rot.

I've been advised to try a smaller purpleish one rather than the big black ones that need a longer growing season to get to full size, sorry I can't remember the name of them right now.

[Moopmoop]

I've been advised to try a smaller purpleish one rather than the big black ones that need a longer growing season to get to full size, sorry I can't remember the name of them right now.

Possibly Ophelia? I too will be growing Aubergines for the first time this year. I don't have a greenhouse either and will just be using a blowaway. If they're anything like squash then I won't get any fruit off them. It's just too cold here I think, I get lovely healthy plants but no fruit, the flowers don't even open.

[bario1]

Thanks guys, that's good to know - maybe i'll try with Ophelia, but my expectations won't be high. Have you had any luck with other similar fruiting stuff - courgettes, squashes of any kind, tomatoes etc? Or are we just too far north?

[redser]

I'm growing Bonica as I've read on one of the sites I visit they are the most reliable for our climate...

"Aubergine. Bonica F1 is by far the best from seed - came out top of Royal Hort. Soc. trials 6 or 7 years ago - I've grown it ever since and it's very reliable for our climate here. Last summer I was given the chance to trial the new grafted one - Scorpio - by Suttons seeds. It was truly fantastic - impossible to kill - however badly mistreated and incredibly productive even in 10litre buckets. Healthy and not prone to the usual root rots etc. Will definitely grow it again - well worth the price of approx 4 euros per plant including delivery. (So outstanding that I'm making an exception to my 3 year rule!) Try this if you love aubergines but can't grow them!"

[Ananke]

That definately rings a bell.

I've not been able to grow butternut squash outside so this year i'm having a go at Patty Pan and Harlequin.

Tomatos I have no problem growing in the greenhouse, last year it was almost autumn though before I got a ripe tomato but I'm sure it was the same everywhere due to the weird weather. Same with courgettes, I am usually over run with them but got ziltch last year from 4 plants.

[binley100]

Mrs W has requested I give Aubergines a go this year, so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

You really need to have sown them by now , they need a long growing season with plenty of warmth ...well mine are getting the long growing bit , not much warmth tho' .

[Moopmoop]

I had a few courgettes last year, not a glut by any means but a few. Tomatoes, again I got a few and they took forever to ripen, I was pretty impressed with cucumbers though. I've not tried any other squash yet other than butternut but the other year I did manage to grow a pumpkin which I was well chuffed with.

Although I am not as far north as Edinburgh I am right on the coast so I do tend to get pretty bad weather.

[flopsy]

i grew courgettes last year in pots which some stood in garden and others in greenhouse and had loads. i grew marketmore