Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 75°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Cut fruit with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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04 May 19, Jan (Australia - temperate climate)
My eggplant is being attacked. Small hole but when you cut them they have black spots all throughout and then you see a light coloured grub. Help please.
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12 Apr 19, Denise Brady (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
For bugs on Egg Plants I always use Neem oil spray, works really well.
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20 Feb 19, Lachie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, if I plant eggplant seed now will it fruit in time before winter?have I missed my window?
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22 Feb 19, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Egg plant like warm weather -so judge that in your area - probably too late by this guide.
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26 Jan 19, Christine Cain (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, my egg plant plants are very healthy, lots of flowers, however the flowers die before the fruit develops. What causes that to happen? Thanks for your advice.
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28 Jan 19, peter cranston (Australia - temperate climate)
lack of pollination. Egg plants self, but at some times (weather ?) need some help. Take an cotton bud, gather pollen (yellow) and apply to stigma (single central erect part). Watch any utube on search 'pollinate egg plants'.
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13 Jan 19, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
They’re smaller than a ladybird. Blackish. They put tiny holes in leaves. Sometimes there’s almost no leaf left and the plant can die.
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13 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mine looked like a half sized bee.
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31 Dec 18, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
Any ideas how to get rid of a little insect on eggplants leaves. We think it’s hibiscus beetle. Sue
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05 Jan 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are they eating the leaves? If a grub find a spray from a nursery or look up internet for an organic spray. I had a weird little grub eat my egg plant leaves- I used a spray from the Men's Shed - don't know it name - used for cucumber fly.
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Showing 61 - 70 of 266 comments
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Why someone would suggest maybe yours is a male plant and saying "hope this helps" is hilarious. Eggplants do not need separate male and female plants. A quick google search can tell you that. Several reasons your flowers are dropping - lack of pollination or the plant is under stress being - 1) too cold or hot 2)lack of water or nutrients. Try hand pollinating your flowers and lookup the temperature your variety of eggplant will set fruit. I looked up the temperature for Tutukaka coast and the temperature seems too cold for eggplant. I could be wrong. But you will need find out what variety you have first.

- Kristin

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