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 T T          
      P P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in Australia - tropical 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 24°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 75 cm 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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19 Jun 15, Roy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sally-Anne you are so right about using egg plant in curries,the variety I use is the small one just about ready when they are about 10 centimetres long and still have a mauve colour.
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04 Apr 15, Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
Have had a good feed from my two plants which are still producing fruit. What is likely to happen as it gets colder?
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09 Mar 15, Robert Tompsett (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted egg plant seeds in my protected part of the garden, and they have grown fine with lots of flowers and I have harvested two fairly large fruits already. But the rest are fairly small and do not seem to be growing. I have fertilized, and i water every second day. will they grow into April month ?? I am in Canberra
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06 Apr 15, Paysin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi It's probably ok till April but once it gets cooler it won't do very well. Try staking the plant as it supports it to help produce bigger fruit. Also if there are multiple fruits then they can be a bit smaller.
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28 Feb 15, Louise (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My eggplants are growing beautifully. They are pretty much full size and have been purple until today. They have now got a yellowish tinge on the skins. They are watered regularly and have heaps of sun. I live in Brisbane Queensland.
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17 Jan 15, Roger (Australia - temperate climate)
I have experienced the same issue as Pam. Planted my Eggplant in November from seeds. Got healthy plants with flowers , but only one small fruit about the size of a large apple on one plant. Water not an issue. Garden reticulated. Any suggestions
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07 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying to find out where I might be able to find some Thai Pea Eggplants in Australia/Victoria do you have any suggestions
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16 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Thankyou for your suggestion about the Thai Pea Eggplants at Bunning's, I will have to check it out this week end
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10 Oct 14, Arani (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have seen these in Bunning's seedlings section. Its in the heirloom variety section.
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05 Oct 14, Kirsten Camilleri (Australia - tropical climate)
My eggplant is healthy and has doubled in size since planting. I have had many flowers develop however they fall off, stem and all, and I haven't produced any fruit as a result of it. How can I can the problem? Ta
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Showing 131 - 140 of 269 comments
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I've got three Asian eggplants growing, all from the same source, one in the ground and the other two in a raised garden bed. They all get equal treatment re fertiliser and watering but the two in the raised bed produce smaller fruit that is a very pale purple and tougher while the other has long much bigger deep purple fruit that's perfect. What could the likely cause be? pH or something else?

- Phil Morton

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