Your comments and tips

15 Nov 11, (Australia - temperate climate)

My trees are very healthy and produce many flowers but disappointingly no fruit seem to set. A patch of beans at close proximity thereto has cropped very well, (just as a comparison for you may also think as I did that possibly the lack of pollinators may be the cause).

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13 Nov 11, Kaytee (Australia - tropical climate)

My eggplant is healthy looking and flowering very well but fruit doesn't set. I tried to pollinate them but that didn't work either. Can you help please.

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04 Nov 11, Mohan (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Pru, Epsom salts is MgSO4(Magnisium sulphate). Mg is an important constituent in Chlorophyll, the green substance in leaves that is required for photosynthesis i.e. making food for the plant. One gram epsom salt in a litre of water sprayed early in the morning helps some plants to set fruit. Potash is K2SO4 and generally helps plant for flowering..

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16 Sep 11, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Planted seedlings last year Oct-Nov, grew slowly, flowered but no fruit. Any ideas??

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09 Oct 11, Pru (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi John, sprinkle Epsom salts in a line 10cms long about 5 cms out from the trunk, the potassium will help flowers set fruit. Worked brilliantly for me last year.

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18 Nov 11, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Epsom salts is magnesium sulphate. Did you actually use this or potash (potassium sulphate)?

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06 Oct 11, (Australia - temperate climate)

Sounds like you don't have enough bees to fertilise the fruit?

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08 Oct 11, Tracey (Australia - arid climate)

The problem isn't likely to be lack of pollinators as eggplants self-fertile and predominantly wind pollinated (although some cross pollination between plants can occur via insects, too). Did flowers form and then drop? Temps that are too low can affect fruit set, as can temps that are too high (as with tomatoes and capsicums). The optimal temperature window is likely to vary a little depending on the variety.

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11 Aug 11, ray (Australia - tropical climate)

can egg plant be frozen and used later

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05 Jul 11, John Bee (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi John, Eggplant can be grown for several seasons at least, provided that they are kept healthy, properly fertilized and rejuvenated at the end of each season ready for the next one. After a major cropping they can be cut back (pruned) fairly heavily with sharp clean secateurs. You should cut off and remove all the old leaves as that helps stop future leaf diseases problems. Then give the plants a good fertilizing with a complete mixture, preferably organic, lightly dig in the fertiliser and give them a good watering. Be sure to cut off any diseased or dead or dying branches and get rid or them (don’t leave them lying around). Please remember that eggplants are frost sensitive, especially young tender growth so make sure they are protected from frosts or leave the pruning till after the last frost. Hope this helps. John Bee Master Gardener

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