Although eggplant is considered a heat-loving plant, it can easily be cultivated in open ground in regions with a temperate continental climate. Thanks to the work of breeders, many varieties of eggplant have been obtained that have a short growing season and can withstand adverse weather conditions.
The early maturing variety “Vera” (pictured) is intended for gardening in the Urals, Western Siberia, and the Far East
Specialized stores usually offer a wide range of planting material - with fruits of different colors, pear-shaped and round, large and miniature, with a mushroom flavor and absolutely no bitterness. Such diversity often confuses novice vegetable growers, as it is difficult to decide on a purchase. In the article we will talk about the best, in our opinion, eggplant hybrids and varieties for open ground in central Russia and in the difficult conditions of the Urals and Siberia, as well as the main features of this crop. We hope this information will help when choosing seeds.
Early varieties
Early ripening varieties of eggplant include those that are ready for consumption within 70-100 days after the appearance of the first shoots.
Czech early
A variety valued by many gardeners due to the compactness of the bushes, reaching a height of no more than 60 cm. The fruits are predominantly ovoid in shape and quite large in size. The weight of one eggplant can reach 600 g. The color of the flesh is greenish-white. There is no bitter aftertaste and an excellent aroma. The pulp is dense, due to which the vegetable is used for preparing second courses and canning. The peel is dark purple.
Seeds under film are sown in mid-March in order to plant seedlings from May 25 to June 10. Planting of seedlings takes place on May 15-20. The harvest is harvested in August-September. From 1 sq. m, 4-5 kg of fruits are collected.
Vakula
The height of the bush can reach 1.2 m. The bush is spreading, which is why it needs to be tied up. The fruits have an elliptical shape. The weight of one fruit varies from 100 to 500 g. The surface of the peel is dark purple and shiny. The pulp is white, the taste is good.
Vakula eggplants are easy to care for. They require regular watering and fertilizing. They also carry out tying and other procedures. Sowing is done at the end of spring. The harvest is harvested 95-100 days after the appearance of the first shoots. From 1 sq. m harvest from 7 to 12 kg of crop.
Joker
The fruits have an elongated shape. The brushes are formed simultaneously with the fruits - 3-6 pieces. The weight of one eggplant does not exceed 140 g. The flesh is white and does not taste bitter. Seedlings are planted at the age of 60-70 days in good weather. Planting begins in early summer; accordingly, the seeds are sown in mid-March.
For planting, select areas with light, loose, well-drained sandy and sandy loam soil. It is necessary to regularly water the plant, pinch it, and fertilize it. Harvesting occurs as the fruits ripen, when they become deep purple and reach the desired length. This usually occurs 85-100 days after disembarkation. 6.8-7.2 kg of fruits are collected from 1 square meter.
Negus
A low-growing variety, reaching a height of no more than half a meter. No need for a garter. The harvest is harvested within 80 days after planting. The fruits are barrel-shaped, the weight of one vegetable is 150-300 g. With proper care of the plants, it will be possible to collect fruits throughout the season.
The color of the peel is deep purple. The flesh is light white, dense, but has a delicate, pleasant taste. Eggplants are grown through seedlings. Seeds are sown from late February to mid-March. About 7-8 kg of eggplants are harvested per square meter. They tolerate transportation well and can be stored for a long time.
Japanese dwarf
A variety that attracts with its compactness. The height of the bush does not exceed 40 cm. Eggplants are pear-shaped and weigh about 500 g. Increasing the mass is possible by covering the bushes at night. The fruit has a purple skin. The white pulp has no bitterness.
It is recommended to plant eggplants in a well-lit area; the variety does not tolerate shading well. It is necessary to choose an area with fertile, loose soil. It is important to water the plants regularly and do not forget to fertilize. The harvest is harvested 75 days after planting. Store in a dark, cool place: basement or cellar.
Faith
Eggplant Vera is an early ripening variety, suitable for those who do not want to wait a long time for the fruits to ripen. The bushes are compact in size, reaching a height of no more than 75 cm. The fruits are pear-shaped with thin, purple skin and white, dense pulp. The weight of one fruit can reach 200 g. Sowing of seeds begins in February, but it is recommended to plant in May. At this time, the first spring frosts disappear.
Eggplants are grown by seed or seedlings. Seeds are sown in the soil only in regions with a warm climate. Growing Vera eggplants is not difficult. But the crop needs watering, regular feeding, and sometimes tying up. The harvest is harvested 95-110 days after planting. About 7-10 kg of eggplants are harvested from one bush. The variety is resistant to harmful insects.
Dwarf early
An early ripening variety, ripening 80-85 days after planting. The plant is branching, but low-growing, reaching a height of no more than 50 cm. The fruits are oval, sometimes rounded-pear-shaped. The peel is dark purple. Weight – up to 150 g. The pulp is white, tender, dense. The taste is excellent.
It is necessary to carefully care for the plants: fertilize, water, and remove weeds. When harvesting from one bush, you will be able to get 6-7 kg of fruit.
Mishutka
Early ripening high-yielding variety. The fruits can be collected within 130-145 days after the appearance of the first shoots. The shape of the vegetable is elongated, pear-shaped. The skin is dark purple, almost black. The weight of one fruit can reach 900 g. Seeds begin to be sown for seedlings in late February and early March. Seedlings are planted in open ground at the beginning of June, in a greenhouse at the end of May.
The variety is unpretentious in care. It is imperative to water the plants abundantly and in a timely manner, trim leaves and small fruits, loosen the soil and feed the bushes with fertilizers. After harvesting, the fruits are stored in well-ventilated areas.
Hybrids
Modern eggplant hybrids have good taste and fertility. From one bush during the season it will be possible to collect a sufficient amount of ripe fruits, ready for consumption, transportation and storage.
Mileda F1
This hybrid is characterized by a long period of fruiting, until frost. Has excellent taste. The height of the bush is up to 1 m. The skin has a dark purple color, the length of the fruit reaches 25 cm, weight – 200-250 g. The pulp is white, creamy, juicy and tender.
Seedlings are planted in open soil along with a clod of earth. This promotes better plant survival. Seedlings need to be planted after they have 5 true leaves. Caring for plants requires necessarily loosening the soil, fertilizing, hilling and watering. The harvest is harvested 80 days after planting.
Anet F1
The hybrid is characterized by a strong bush of medium size. Eggplant ripens in 60-70 days from the day the seedlings are planted in the ground. The variety ripens early. The advantages include high yield, beautiful glossy cylindrical fruits. The skin has a dark purple color. The pulp is light, almost white, with a delicate taste. The weight of eggplant reaches 200, sometimes 400 g.
Seeds for seedlings are sown in the second half of February or the first half of March. Plants are planted in a greenhouse or in soil under film in the second half of May. The variety bears fruit until frost.
Fabina F1
The fruits have an elongated cylindrical shape. The skin is dark purple. Closer to the ripening period, the vegetable acquires a characteristic glossy shine. The fruits are equal in size, reach a length of 22 cm, and a diameter of about 6 cm. The pulp is greenish in color and has no bitterness. The bushes are compact - no more than 55 cm.
The fruits will appear within 70 days after planting the seedlings in the ground. Caring for plants involves loosening the soil, watering the plants, applying fertilizing (at least 3 per season), weeding, and hilling. Harvest time occurs about a month after the plants finish flowering.
Bourgeois F1
This is an early ripening hybrid, the fruits of which are harvested 100-110 days after emergence. The height of the bushes reaches up to one and a half meters. There is no need to install supports or tie them down. The fruits are large, round in shape, up to 13 cm in diameter. The weight of one fruit is up to 350 g. The peel is dark purple with a glossy hue. The pulp is white with a greenish tint, dense, and has no bitterness.
It is allowed to plant eggplant in open and closed ground. It grows well in any cultivation. The fruits do not ripen all at once, but gradually over 1-1.5 months. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 4.7 kg of crop. For better ripening, plants are watered twice a week and excess ovaries are removed.
Marzipan F1
Mid-season hybrid eggplant. Ripens 130 days after planting in the ground. The culture prefers warmth, so it is recommended to plant it in a greenhouse. It grows well in open ground in the southern regions of Russia. The height of the bush is up to 1 m. The fruits are large and fleshy. The length of one eggplant is up to 15 cm, width – 8 cm. The peel is dark purple, the flesh is pale cream. The weight of one fruit is about 600 g. It has a good taste.
The stem is stable, but due to its heavy weight the plant needs to be tied up. It is recommended to sow seeds in the second half of March, having previously prepared them before sowing. Caring for plants includes watering, fertilizing, and garter.
King of the North F1
Hybrid King of the North is a good option for areas with cold climates. The harvest appears 90 days after planting in the ground. The fruits are large, weighing up to 200 g. Eggplants are elongated, almost cylindrical, slightly curved. The length reaches 30 cm. The peel is dark purple, almost black, glossy. The pulp is white, without bitterness.
Seedlings are ready for planting in the ground at the age of 60-70 days. The beds are formed in advance, after filling the soil with humus or ash, and adding mineral fertilizers. Caring for plants involves watering, loosening, and forming bushes.
In this video, the blogger will show and talk about the King of the North F1 eggplant variety:
Behemoth F1
Mid-season hybrid of eggplants, characterized by high yield. The bushes are quite tall - 75-145 cm. The fruits ripen 100-112 days after the first shoots appear. The shape of the fruit is pear-shaped, the skin color is deep purple with a shiny surface. The length of the fruit reaches 14-18 cm, weight - 250-350 g. The pulp is yellowish-white, dense, almost not bitter.
Due to the fact that Behemoth is a mid-season hybrid, the seeds are sown at the end of February. It is believed that eggplants do not need to be tied up, because the stems are quite powerful. But when the fruits ripen, tall plants can simply break, so it is better to tie the stems to high stakes. The yield per 1 sq. m is 2.5-6 kg.
Clorinda F1
A very early ripening variety, ripening within 67 days after planting. It is characterized by increased resistance to adverse weather conditions and prolonged fruiting. The height of the bush reaches up to one meter. The fruits are oval in shape, their length is 22 cm, diameter is 11 cm. The weight of one vegetable is 350 g. The skin is a rich purple-black color, the flesh is white, dense, without bitterness and with a minimum number of seeds.
Planting work begins at the end of February or March. Eggplants need regular care, including watering and fertilizing. Plants respond well to the addition of mineral and organic substances. Ripeness is indicated by firm flesh and dark skin. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 5.8-6 kg of crop.
Harvest and storage
The first ripe fruits may appear within 25–40 days after flowering. Then the next part of the harvest can come every 4-7 days.
The fruit has a strong stalk; it is cut with pruning shears, large scissors or a knife; in extreme cases, it is twisted by hand, rotating around its axis until the stalk breaks off. The leg is left 3–5 cm long.
Eggplants are cut with a knife or scissors
Dry fruits are stored well in cool and shade because they have a hard peel. Lay them out in 1-2 layers. After 2–3 weeks of such storage, the eggplants can be sorted out, discarding spoiled and soft ones, the rest can be spread on a layer of dry straw or shavings in a cool place, perhaps in a dry basement. This way, fresh eggplants can be stored for another 2-3 months.
During storage, eggplants should always be protected from light with a dry cloth, because in the light they produce harmful solanine, the same as in green potatoes. But at high humidity and temperature, the fruits cannot be stored for a long time, and they need to be processed within 2-3 weeks after collection.
Mid-season varieties of eggplants
There are a lot of mid-season eggplant varieties, more than 20 pieces. Below are the best varieties that are best suited for planting outdoors.
Diamond
Mid-season variety. From the moment the shoots appear until the fruits fully ripen, 110-150 days pass. Good taste, long-term storage and resistance to transportation over long distances are the main advantages of the variety. Diamond is resistant to some diseases and viruses. The correct determination of the sowing time for the region is calculated as follows: 50-70 days are counted before the day when it is permissible to plant eggplant in a greenhouse or open ground.
The bush is compact, up to 55 cm high. The fruits are elongated - up to 15-17 cm, weight varies between 100-180 g. The skin has a dark purple, almost black tint. The flesh is slightly greenish. Caring for plants consists of weeding, watering, loosening the soil, and mandatory fertilizing. From 1 sq. m harvest about 8 kg of eggplants.
You can see what the Diamond variety eggplant looks like in the video below:
Bataysky
Mid-season variety, ripening 100-110 days after planting. Gardeners value it for its record yields. The variety prefers a mild, warm climate and is suitable for planting in open ground.
The bushes are compact, up to 70 cm high. The fruits are small and cylindrical in shape. The peel is dark purple, almost black. The pulp is light, almost white. The weight of one fruit is 200 g. Regular watering, fertilizing and loosening the soil are the basic requirements for caring for plants.
Black handsome
Eggplant Black Beauty is a mid-season variety intended for cultivation both in open and protected ground. The period from germination to fruit appearance is 120-140 days. The eggplant variety is valued for its resistance to many diseases. The fruits are elliptical in shape with a dark purple shiny skin. The length of the vegetable reaches 13-15 cm, diameter - 11-12 cm. Eggplant has creamy, tasty pulp. There is no bitterness.
The variety is grown by seedlings. Seeds are sown from February to April. Forming a bush is a mandatory procedure. In the future, it is necessary to water and hill up the plants and loosen the soil. With proper care from 1 sq. m harvest up to 12 kg of crop.
Sancho Panza
A mid-season variety that begins to bear fruit 120-130 days after ripening. The height of the bush reaches 80-150 cm. The variety has increased resistance to spider mites and tobacco mosaic. The fruits have a round shape, up to 15 cm in diameter. The weight of one fruit is 500-700 g. The skin is dark purple, the flesh is white, without bitterness.
The variety is planted in seedlings, both in open garden beds and in heated greenhouses. The taste is excellent. It is necessary to regularly apply fertilizing - this helps to increase productivity.
The best varieties for open ground
When growing crops in an open area, it is worth selecting frost-resistant varieties with an early or medium ripening period. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the best options.
"Vakula"
It is recommended to plant seedlings no earlier than the end of May. The bushes have strong stems up to 1.2 meters high and form independently, without additional pinching. The variety is resistant to temperature changes. The yield of the bush does not exceed 8 kilograms.
"Bull's Heart"
The plant tolerates spring frosts well, but still planting in an open grant must be done after they have ended. Compact bushes up to 80 centimeters in height and fruits up to 800 grams. Productivity up to 12 kilograms. Requires minimal care, which boils down to timely watering.
"Alekseevsky"
An excellent option for growing in the garden, as it has good resistance to low temperatures. Bushes up to 70 centimeters in height produce small fruits, weighing 100-150 grams. The shoots are very fragile, which is why a mandatory garter is required. Productivity up to 10 kilograms.
"Albatross"
A low-growing form with a ball-shaped bush. The fruits are medium-sized with an average weight of 150-200 grams. The skin of the vegetable has an interesting purple color. The yield does not exceed 10 kilograms per bush.
"Anet"
A distinctive feature of the variety is the long period of fruiting - until the onset of the first frost. The fruits are cylindrical in shape with a bright purple color. Average weight 300-250 grams. Productivity up to 9 kilograms.
Late ripening varieties
Gardeners value late-ripening varieties less because they are not suitable for planting in open ground and do not have time to ripen before the onset of frost.
Albatross
Albatross is a late-ripening variety, ripening 135 days after the appearance of the first shoots. It has good taste and attractive external qualities. It is stored for a long time and withstands transportation. Gardeners value the variety for its resistance to many diseases.
The fruits have an elongated shape, reaching up to 20 cm in length. The weight of one vegetable is 200-250 g. The peel is dark purple, the flesh is slightly greenish. The bushes are tall and close - up to 70 cm. Care requires mandatory fertilizing, loosening the soil, weeding and watering. The variety is demanding on soil - eggplants are planted in loose, moderately moist soil in an area with good lighting. 6-8 kg of crop is harvested per square meter.
Bull forehead
Eggplant Bull's forehead is a late-ripening variety. The bushes are spreading and low. The fruits are predominantly pear-shaped, up to 20 cm long, weighing up to 1 kg. The ripening period for eggplants is 140-150 days after planting. The skin is purple-brown, the flesh is white, not bitter.
Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out from late February to early March. At the same time, it is permissible to grow the plant in open ground or in greenhouses. After sowing, be sure to take care of the plants: fertilize, weed and loosen.
Mistakes when growing eggplants
Sometimes eggplants grow clearly poorly:
- the bush does not grow green mass, the color of the foliage is pale, with a yellowish tint;
- flowers fall;
- a small ovary appears, but then falls off;
- There are few fruits and they are small.
It is necessary to look for reasons in violation of the rules of care, soil quality, symptoms of diseases and the presence of pests. We must also remember that cold weather can cause problems. The normal temperature for eggplant development is 25–30°C. At night temperatures of 8–10°C and daytime temperatures of 14–16°C, it will not be possible to squeeze a harvest out of a chilly eggplant.
You should also avoid the following mistakes:
- planting in the shade, dense planting, more than 4–5 bushes per 1 m2. The bush is poorly lit and not ventilated, the shaded foliage turns yellow, the fruits do not turn purple, they rot, there is a high risk of fungal diseases and mold;
- uneven watering. Abundant moisture after significant drying out of the soil will lead to cracks appearing on the fruits, they will stop growing and begin to deteriorate. Watering with cold water is unacceptable;
- excess nitrogen in the soil (manure, nitrogen fertilizers). At the time of planting seedlings, this will lead to the fact that the plant will drive away the green mass (fatten) with a small harvest;
- unsuitable land. Eggplant needs loose, fertile soil; it grows poorly on heavy, dense loams and scanty sandstones.
Varieties for the greenhouse
In the middle zone, it is difficult to grow a southern vegetable due to the climate, so in this case you need to choose special varieties of eggplant.
Bull heart F1
The bushes are tall, reaching 70-80 cm in height. The fruits ripen within 100-110 days after the first shoots appear. This is a mid-season giant, because the fruit can reach from 500 g to 1 kg in weight. It has a round shape, narrowed at the end, which resembles a heart. The peel is dark purple, the flesh is white, without bitterness, with no aftertaste.
In the soil under the film, seeds are sown in mid-March in order to plant seedlings from May 25 to June 10. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 5 kg of mature eggplants.
Sophia
A late-ripening variety, attractive with large pear-shaped fruits with black-purple skin and dense, white pulp without bitterness. The fruits reach 700-900 g in weight. The bush is tall, spreading, up to half a meter in height. Eggplants ripen 135-150 days after planting.
Vegetables are well transported without spoiling their presentation or taste. 7.4-7.7 kg of fruits are collected from 1 square meter.
Black Moon
Mid-season variety, bearing fruit by 125 days after planting. The vegetable has a pear-shaped, shortened shape. The skin is glossy, dark purple in color. The bushes are compact. A ripe fruit can weigh 250-350 g. The pulp is light green, without bitterness and voids.
This variety tolerates temperature changes and is resistant to the tobacco mosaic virus. Valued for its high taste characteristics. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 5 kg of eggplants.
Nutcracker F1
High-yielding early ripening hybrid. In a greenhouse, the height of a bush can exceed one and a half meters. The plant is semi-spreading, forms many ovaries, due to which the fruiting period is extended. The fruits are spherical and pear-shaped, 14-15 cm long. The surface is glossy. The weight of one eggplant reaches up to 250 g. The flesh is white, without bitterness.
Tolerates long-term transportation and is characterized by long-term storage. 5-8 kg of fruits are collected from one bush, from 1 sq. m – up to 20 kg.
Bagheera F1
A high-yielding, early-ripening hybrid, recommended for growing in greenhouses. The fruits are valued for their delicate taste. Suitable for canning, pickling, preparing caviar and salads. Eggplants ripen 95-105 days after the first shoots appear.
The bushes are tall - up to 1.2 m. The fruits are oval in shape, 5-8 cm in diameter, 12-20 cm long, weighing 250-300 g. The skin is dark purple with a glossy surface. The pulp is white-greenish, not bitter. The main feature is good growth and fruiting only in warm and humid conditions. They prefer chernozem soil or light loam.
Namesake
Mid-season variety, ripening 120-130 days after germination. The bushes are medium-sized and semi-spreading, reaching a height of up to 140 cm. The fruits are large and can weigh 500-900 g. The skin is pale pink with a lilac tint. The pulp is white, dense, and not bitter.
The disadvantage of this variety is its tendency to form thorns. Advantage - the bush has increased resistance to disease and rot. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 10 kg of mature eggplants.
Robin Hood
Early ripening variety - fruits set within 90 days after sowing. Can grow in any soil. The fruits reach a length of up to 20 cm and 8-9 cm in diameter. They look like barrels with shiny lilac-purple skin. The weight of one vegetable is up to 300 g. The pulp is tender, without bitterness and almost without seeds.
The variety requires the formation of a bush, but has a short growth of up to 60 cm. The plant has thorns. Eggplants are suitable for all types of canning and cooking. Well stored.
Policeman F1
The developed bush is vigorous, dense and semi-spreading, its height is 180-300 cm. The fruits ripen 120 days after planting, reaching 20-35 cm in length. The bush requires shaping. The weight of a ripe eggplant can reach 500 g. Eggplants are cylindrical, elongated in shape. The peel is dark purple with a glossy sheen. The pulp is dense, greenish.
The bush has increased resistance to the tobacco mosaic virus. Fresh fruits can be stored for up to 2.5 months.
Landing
Sow the seeds 2 months before transferring the seedlings to a permanent place. Before planting, they are treated in a solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour, after which they are rinsed and placed in a stimulant solution.
Prepare nutritious soil based on soil from the garden. More than half of the peat is added to it, as well as sand, wood ash and mineral fertilizers. Then pour a hot solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate.
Seeds are sown in individual or common containers.
When planting in common containers, seedlings will require picking with the appearance of the first two true leaves.
For germination, the seedlings are covered with film and kept in the sun at +25 degrees. Daylight hours should last at least 14 hours a day.
They are transplanted to the site when the air warms up to +20 degrees.
Carpal eggplants
Raceme varieties are vegetables that grow differently than many are used to seeing. The fruits are arranged in clusters of several pieces. There are several of these varieties, and they are preferred by some gardeners.
Samurai
Early ripening variety. The fruits appear within 95-100 days after planting the seedlings. The fruits are attractive due to their elongated shape, the weight of one vegetable reaches no more than 230 g. The peel is dark purple, the flesh is white, without bitterness.
Sowing seeds usually begins on March 10-20. When harvesting from one from 1 sq. m can actually get up to 6 kg of fruit. Plant care includes timely watering, loosening the soil, applying fertilizers, disease prevention and pest control.
Prado F1
Early ripening hybrid. The predominant fruits are pear-shaped rather than elongated. The taste is excellent. The weight of one fruit does not exceed 200 g. Suitable for growing both in open ground and in greenhouses. The peel of eggplants is dark purple and dense. The pulp is creamy-white, fleshy, without bitterness.
Seedlings begin to be planted in February. This hybrid prefers light soils with good drainage. It is acceptable to grow on loam. The first fruits must be harvested on time. To preserve the vegetable for the winter, it is frozen. Unripe eggplants are sour and hard, while overripe ones will taste bitter. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 6 kg of fruit.
Pests and diseases
Eggplants have virtually no pests or diseases unique to them. Misfortunes that threaten the crop can also appear on other plants:
- blackleg. Fungal disease. The first symptoms are the appearance of a black belt at the bottom of the stem, near the ground. Then the fungus occupies the entire plant, and a gray coating appears on the leaves. And if the fungus completely infects the plant, it dies;
Blackleg can destroy the plant
- gray rot. It begins to appear as spots of an unnatural watery color for the leaf, then they become gray-white, the leaf tissue begins to rot and the plant may die.
These fungal diseases develop during prolonged, damp, cold weather. In the sun, the spores and tissues of the fungus dry out. When hot sunny weather sets in, the development of the disease in the first stages may stop.
To combat fungal diseases, there is a group of special preparations - fungicides recommended for use in small gardening:
- Topaz;
- Zircon;
- Fitosporin;
- Prestige.
Folk remedies are also used:
- dusting with wood ash, which dries the sheet;
- spraying with a solution of 1 liter of fermented milk products (kefir, whey, fermented baked milk), 1 tbsp. l. pharmacy tincture of iodine per 10 liters of water. The same remedy can stop late blight and prevent the development of mosaic.
An effective preventive measure is soaking the seeds before planting in a pink solution of manganese and other disinfecting compounds. This ensures that pathogenic flora is not transmitted to the plant with the seeds.
But the most dangerous carriers of diseases are insects. By damaging the plant, they leave open wounds - a “gate” for infection, weaken the plant and reduce its immunity. The main pests of eggplants in open ground are the Colorado potato beetle, spider mites, aphids, ants, and slugs.
The Colorado potato beetle is a real scourge of eggplants at a time when potatoes in neighboring gardens are just beginning to sprout, and eggplant seedlings have already been planted. Then the beetles gather on bushes from all over the area and can quickly destroy them. If the number of seedlings is small, they are protected in the following way:
- The bottom and neck of a 1.5-liter plastic bottle are cut off.
- The resulting cylinder is cut into two parts.
- The cylinder is placed on top of the planted seedlings and slightly deeper into the ground. The eggplant grows behind a round plastic “fence” that no crawling pest can climb.
Eggplants can be saved from Colorado potato beetles using plastic bottles
It is possible to treat eggplants with insecticidal preparations against the Colorado potato beetle, but only in open ground and once per season.
The Colorado potato beetle is the worst enemy of eggplant.
To prevent aphids, it is necessary to destroy all anthills located nearby. Ants spread aphids over plants and then use their waste products as food, so ant aphids will have to be removed repeatedly, unlike other types of aphids. In addition, an anthill under the roots can completely destroy the bush.
Unusual eggplants for the garden plot
Many people associate eggplant with a fruit that has an elongated shape and purple skin, but there are interesting, rare varieties that can be grown in open areas. The fruits have an unusual color scheme, size, and sometimes taste.
Taste of mushrooms
The ripening period for this mid-season variety is 95-105 days. The fruits have a cylindrical shape. The skin is snow-white. The weight of one fruit reaches up to 180 g. The pulp is white with the taste of mushrooms, there is no bitterness.
When growing vegetables, you need to water the plant with warm water, plant them in open sunny areas, and choose fertile and loose soil. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 6 kg of ripe fruits.
Icicle
This is a mid-season variety that bears fruit on days 110-116. The bushes grow up to 65 cm in height. The vegetable has a predominant elongated shape. White skin, white flesh, juicy, tender, without bitterness. The weight of one fruit does not exceed 200 g.
The variety is suitable for growing in unheated and heated greenhouses. The variety is attractive due to its stable fruiting and preservation of its properties when transported over long distances.
Iceberg
Mid-season variety, ripening in 115-125 days. The bush is spreading, compact, up to 45-60 cm in height. The fruits have white skin and are shaped like a slightly elongated pear. Eggplant length is up to 20 cm, weight up to 250 g. The flesh is white and has no bitterness. The variety is heat-resistant and resistant to viral diseases.
When growing, it is necessary to provide the plants with regular watering, fertilizing, and loosening the soil.
Ping Pong F1
The height of the bushes reaches 80 cm. This is a hybrid that was obtained for the purpose of growing in greenhouses. Its main feature is its spherical shape, due to which they are similar to tomatoes. The peel is white with a glossy finish. The pulp is white, dense, and not bitter. The fruits ripen in 116-117.
It is recommended to plant seedlings in fertile, well-moistened soils with sufficient sun. Favorable environments for the development of eggplants are sandy, super-sandy and humus-rich soils.
Unusual growing methods
Sometimes eggplants are grown in separate containers - bags, containers, barrels with a volume of at least 5-10 liters. This allows you to keep the plants in greenhouses until the onset of stable heat, and then take them out into the open air, freeing up space for other crops. With such a volume of soil, the eggplant will not exhaust the soil while waiting for warmth. And it can be grown until the end of the season without replanting, and, if desired, replanted by digging planting holes according to the size of the soil and roots in bags. In this case, the plant does not get sick and continues to grow calmly.
Eggplants can be grown in separate large containers
The advantage of this method is that the soil in the container will warm up much faster than in the garden and greenhouse after winter, and this is important for eggplants.
Minuses:
- the method is more labor-intensive and expensive than conventional cultivation;
- the soil dries out much faster than in the massif, so constant watering is required.
White eggplants
White eggplants have several varieties, differing in fruit shape, size and taste.
Stork
Early ripening variety. Eggplants are attractive due to their egg shape and reach a weight of no more than 100 g. A distinctive feature is that during ripening the skin begins to darken and acquires a yellowish tint. It is advisable to collect the fruits no later than 90 days after emergence, otherwise they will be tough. Remove the vegetables when they become creamy.
The pulp is juicy and tender. Eggplants have excellent taste, soft, dense flesh. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 7 kg of crop.
Bibo F1
This hybrid eggplant is characterized by rapid growth and the ability to set fruit in extreme conditions. Early culture. Root vegetables with snow-white skin weigh no more than 150 g. The pulp is practically not bitter, very tender and tasty.
Gardeners harvest up to 12 eggplants from one bush.
White Night
This variety has teardrop-shaped fruits with white skin. The height of the bush reaches 80 cm. The weight of one vegetable is 500-600 g. Ripe vegetables are harvested already on the 105-110th day. One bush produces up to 6-9 fruits. The eggplant flesh is soft, juicy and tender. There is no bitterness.
If you grow plants in a greenhouse and water them regularly, the fruits will reach full ripeness 10-15 days earlier. The variety is suitable for long-term storage and transportation.
Swan
It is considered one of the best varieties among white eggplants. Characterized by white skin and pulp. Suitable for growing in open ground and in greenhouses. The bushes reach a height of up to 70 cm. The weight of one eggplant is up to 250 g. Up to 6 kg of fruits are harvested from one bush in 85-100 days.
It is necessary to regularly water and feed the plants, loosen the soil, and provide good care. This will give high yield. The variety stores well and for a long time.
Pelican F1
This is a white hybrid eggplant suitable for film covering. The growing season is 115-120 days. The bush has compact dimensions, its height reaches up to 180 cm. The vegetables are cylindrical in shape, 13 cm long, 5.3 cm in diameter. The pulp is white, dense, without bitterness. Fruit weight up to 150 g.
The variety is intended for cultivation in open and closed ground, in greenhouses. Seeds for seedlings are sown at the end of February, seedlings are planted in the ground at the beginning of June. When harvesting from 1 sq. m harvest up to 8 kg of ripe fruits.
Lists of varieties according to various characteristics
Below we have compiled lists of the best eggplant varieties for open ground according to various parameters.
The most productive
The most productive varieties and hybrids are distinguished by powerful bushes and stable growth of large ovaries, even in bad weather conditions. Fruiting is extended.
- Anet F1
- Goliath dessert
- Overseas minke whale
- E Star F1
- Clorinda F1
- Milkman
- Mulatto F1
- Robin Hood
- Salamander
- Snowball
- Black giant F1
- Eskimo F1
New varieties
The world selection of eggplants is moving in several directions, achieving a piquant taste without bitterness, stable yield, and resistance to bad weather and disease. The most successful new products have a full range of such advantages. Some have an original appearance.
- Anet F1 (long fruiting)
- White Knight F1
- Eastern Prince (yellow-fruited)
- Finger (carpal)
- Beam family F1 (carpal)
- Tsar's caviar
- Black Russian F1
- Eskimo F1
White
Eggplants were called “blue” until white-fruited varieties came into fashion. Modern varieties of white eggplants have a delicate, delicate taste and mushroom aroma.
- White Night
- White Knight F1
- Taste of mushrooms
- Swan
- Milkman
- Snowball
- Icicle
Large
Incredible, but true: there are large varieties of eggplants not only for greenhouses, but also for outdoor beds. “Giants” weigh up to half a kilogram or more, even in the northern regions. Such plants require good fertilizing and constant moisture in the root zone.
- Anet F1 (400 g)
- Big bumpkin (400 g)
- Galine F1 (500 g)
- Overseas minke whale (500-900 g)
- Emerald F1 (400 g)
- Sailor (up to 500 g)
- Migrant (0.5 – 1 kg)
- Snowball (400 g)
- Tirrenia F1 (450 g)
- Purple ball (400 g)
- Black giant F1 (300 g)
- Globular (700 g)
Lilac-pink varieties
Below are interesting varieties of eggplants, attractive with their lilac-pink skin.
Sailor
The peculiarity of this variety is that it does not contain alkaloids. Ripe fruits have an original skin color: lilac-pink with white stripes. The fruits look pear-shaped. The weight of one eggplant is up to 400 g. The flesh is tender and sweetish.
Planting is carried out in the last days of February-early March. The seeds germinate within 7 days. Seedlings are planted in the ground or greenhouse at the end of spring after the air has warmed up. Plants need to be watered twice a week with warm water.
Pink flamingo
Flamingo eggplant is a mid-season variety that begins to bear fruit in 125-135 days. The bush is tall up to 80-120 cm. The fruits have an elongated, cylindrical shape, slightly curved. The weight of one fruit is 250-450 g. The peel is purple, the flesh is white, without bitterness.
There can be from 2 to 6 fruits on one bush. Eggplants ripen together. The variety is unpretentious in care. Suitable for planting in protected soils in greenhouses and for planting in open ground.
Lilac
An early ripening variety with a predominant good taste. The height of the bush is up to 60 cm. Eggplants are valued for their increased resistance to wilting. A characteristic feature is the lilac tint of the peel. The vegetable has an elongated, cylindrical shape. The weight of the eggplant is 100-300 g. It takes 90-100 days from germination to full maturity.
It is recommended to grow vegetables in open ground. Seeds sown in March are covered with film. Seedlings are planted at the end of May.
Bumbo
Fruits ripen in 120-130 days. Eggplants are attractive due to their large size, white-lilac skin and soft, non-bitter pulp. The variety is suitable for cultivation in open ground or greenhouse.
The harvested crop withstands transportation well over long distances without losing its marketability and taste. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 7 kg of ripe eggplants.
Romantic F1
A high-yielding hybrid, the fruits of which ripen 120-125 days after planting the seedlings. The fruits have pink-purple skin and white, tender flesh. The weight of one vegetable reaches up to 300 g.
Tall bushes 140-150 cm in height. The stems must be tied up.
Green varieties
There are unique varieties of eggplants that have green skin when ripe. This makes them interesting in appearance, but the color of the peel does not spoil the taste.
Alenka
An early ripening variety that is popular. It takes only 105 days for the fruits to fully ripen. Gardeners recommend sowing in greenhouse conditions from February to March. Fruiting will occur at the end of August-beginning of September.
The bushes are low, compact, growing up to 60-70 cm in height. Eggplant is characterized by its teardrop shape. Its weight reaches 300-400 g. The skin and pulp are green. From 1 sq. m, up to 8 kg of ripe fruits are collected.
Green F1
This is a hybrid with a beautiful and unusual coloring of the skin of the fruit. An early variety that ripens in 110 days. The bush grows powerful, up to 80 cm in height. The fruits are cylindrical, 23 cm in length. The average weight of each fruit is 170-200 g. The pulp is tender, tasty, and not bitter. When cut, the flesh is snow-white and does not darken.
In many ways, growing this hybrid is similar to caring for tomatoes. From 1 sq. m, about 7 kg of ripe eggplants are collected.
Yoga
The fruits ripen in 110-115 days. The bush under the film can grow up to 1 m, in open ground the height does not exceed 70 cm. Ripe eggplants have the shape of a slightly curved cylinder. The peel is light green. A ripe eggplant weighs 190-220 g. The fruits are very tasty and do not taste bitter.
The variety does not require additional shaping or tying. It is permissible to grow eggplants in unheated and heated greenhouses. From 1 sq. m harvest about 7-8 kg of fruit.
Emerald F1
The bushes are low, compact, their height does not exceed 70 cm. Cylindrical, elongated fruits with light green skin have soft, juicy pulp with no bitterness. From the moment of germination to full ripening, 105-110 days pass. A ripe eggplant weighs up to 400 g.
The bushes do not need to be formed additionally or tied up. The variety is intended for greenhouse cultivation or planting in open ground. From 1 sq. m harvest 8-9 kg of ripe green eggplants.
Louisiana
The plant is compact, not spreading. The variety was the result of American breeding work. The advantages include the high yield of the varieties, because from one bush you can get up to 3 kg of fruit weighing about 200 g.
Eggplants have an elongated cylindrical shape, reaching up to 15-20 cm in length. Fruit ripening occurs on day 110.
Thai green
Thai green eggplant is ready to eat after 80 days. In order for the plant to bloom and the yield to be high, it is recommended to create certain greenhouse conditions. And gardeners will need to make every effort to provide good care for the plants.
The fruits are long, the peel is bright green. The variety needs regular watering and constant feeding. If you buy Thai green eggplants at the market, you will be especially surprised by their cost; they are expensive.
Thai
This variety is especially valuable among gardeners, because it is especially resistant to various diseases and is able to adapt to regions with variable climates.
The bushes are spreading and compact. The fruits are round in shape, green in color with white stripes on the surface. The peel is thin, the flesh is sweet. The weight of one vegetable reaches 100 g.
Yellow, orange, red eggplants
It is more common to purchase purple and blue eggplants at the market. But there are varieties that are pleasing to the eye - these are eggplants with yellow and orange-red peel.
Chinese lantern
This is an ornamental variety that blooms with large white flowers. In their place, round bright orange and red fruits then appear, growing right next to the stem. The garden is sown in late May-early June. It is not recommended to sow earlier, as the plant may be subject to freezing.
The variety prefers sunny areas with nutritious, well-cultivated sandy or loamy soil. Reacts well to fertilizing with fertilizer.
Golden eggs
These are yellow eggplants native to Holland. They gained popularity due to their high carotene content. The fruits are oval in shape and have a pleasant taste. They are not bitter and the taste is not sharp. The bushes are low, prefer sunny areas and are overly demanding when it comes to watering.
The eggplant variety attracts with its unique shape and size of a goose egg. Thin peel and dense pulp make the vegetables also have a unique taste. This variety is often used as a decorative decoration and for preservation.
Golden Boy
An early ripening variety that grows exclusively at temperatures above +15 degrees. The height of the bushes reaches about half a meter
The oval fruits with yellow skin are especially eye-catching. The weight of one eggplant does not exceed 250 g. The vegetable is tasty and not bitter.
Turkish orange
A medium-sized, very early variety, the fruits ripen in 80 days, which is approximately mid-July. Eggplants are small, round, their weight does not exceed 100 g. They are 6-8 cm in diameter.
The color of the fruit changes as it ripens, from light green with dark stripes at an early stage to orange and completely red when ripe. Unripe fruits with orange peel are used for food.
Red Ruffled
The mid-late variety produces fruits in 120-145 days. The bush is compact, 40-50 cm in height. There are no thorns on the stems. It is a self-pollinating variety with bisexual flowers, the same size as a tomato. The flowers are located in the axils of the leaves, collected in brushes of 6-7 pieces, with a continuous growth of new ones.
The round fruits have a light green skin with dark stripes at an early stage and turn orange and completely red when ripe. The fruit has a smooth, glossy skin. The taste of the pulp is delicate, without bitterness.
Mantle
Another interesting variety with attractive external characteristics. The variety grows well first on windowsills when the seeds are planted in February-March, and then in open ground. Belongs to the raceme eggplants - about 6-7 small, striped fruits with an orange peel are formed on one raceme when ripe.
Even though this is an ornamental variety, it is still eaten. Ripens in 115 days. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 5 kg of ripe fruits.
Such an abundance of varieties makes you lost in choice, especially if you want to make a profit from the sale of ripe fruits. Only after studying the care requirements of each variety, its planting and ripening times, will you be able to choose one or more varieties.
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Why is it beneficial to grow eggplants?
It is an annual plant with a strong root system located mostly horizontally in the top layer of soil. During drought, large roots can descend to greater depths in search of moisture. The stem is round, green-violet, with a pubescent edge, strong, and never lies on the ground until frost. The flowers are single or in clusters of 3–7 pieces, self-pollinating, which is especially valuable when grown indoors, where there are no pollinating insects. The leaves are powerful, boat-shaped or rounded, with a pubescent edge, green or violet-green in color.
Eggplant is an annual plant with powerful stems.
The shape of the fruit differs among different varieties: it can be cylindrical, round, banana-shaped or pear-shaped. The color indicates the degree of maturity. The young fruit is light purple, then becomes purple, and at the stage of seed maturity it lightens to brown-yellow or light green. Purple fruits with unripe seeds are eaten.
Due to the purple color of the fruit, eggplants received the popular name “blue”. Although today there are hybrids with white fruits.
Useful properties of eggplants
Eggplants hold the record among all crops for molybdenum content. This element helps prevent and treat joint inflammation.
Eggplants also contain:
- ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. It is not produced by the body, and a person must receive it daily from food. Without it, scurvy begins, immunity decreases;
- a set of B vitamins, which ensure normal metabolism, are involved in hematopoiesis and the functioning of the nervous system;
- vitamin PP (nicotinic acid) strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
- vitamin A (retinol) – a vitamin for good vision;
- Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant, slows down the aging process, and prevents the development of malignant cells;
- vitamin K is necessary in protein synthesis for the restoration and regeneration of body tissues;
- macroelements: manganese, zinc, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, fluorine, copper;
- Eggplant fiber, like other plant foods, stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, absorbs and removes toxins and harmful substances, and reduces cholesterol.
In addition, eggplants help remove excess water from the body, relieve swelling and excess weight, facilitate kidney function, and maintain the elasticity of blood vessels.
Eggplants contain essential elements, vitamins, and nutrients for humans.
