Failure with aubergines

[Gill Parks]

I love eating aubergines and have tried growing them with very little success.

One year I grew them outside and had no flowers at all. >:(
Another year I grew them in the greenhouse and got flowers but not a single one set. :(

Any advice would be greatfully received, as I am planning this years crops. :D

Thanks,

Gill

[Gill Parks]

[Mrs Ava]

This thread in edibles may be a help.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,15664.0.html

I treat my plants the same as my toms, and they do okay....  :-\

[sandersj89]

Polination of the flowers was the key for me this year. I did not rely on nature and used a soft bristled paint brush to help.

Good crop of Black Beauty.

Jerry

[Derekthefox]

I got two per plant off long purple (Kings seeds). This year I am trying Tres Hatives de Barbentane to try and increase the crop ...

[tim]

Gill - where you are, you should have no problem with them outside with a little protection or shelter.

Remember that they need a long growing season - if you should be so lucky!

And if too hot, they will not set. Feed well?

[Gill Parks]

Thanks you all for the advice. Glad to hear its not just me that has problems with growing them.

I think I will try Bonica or Black Beauty this year in the greenhouse again and try going around with a brush to ensure pollination occurs. And try and get them in fairly early - weather permitting.

Gill

[amanda21]

I have a packet of the long purple seeds Derek  :(

I was intending to start them off in a prop (unheated) in my conservatory or maybe on the bedroom windowsill (south facing) over the next few weeks but I wonder should I get them in now - I am sure in a magazine I read this week, in a section - what you should be doing in Feb - it said something about "it's not too late to plant Aubergine seeds" - as if ideally you already should have!

I am in Cambridgeshire so I would imagine they can go outside eventually?

[tim]

I know that they prefer a long growing season, but mine never get sown until mid or late March - for in or outdoors. So - don't panic!!

[Jesse]

Mine grew in a conservatory, I started them early (end of Jan) and polinated the flowers with a paintbrush, got very good results.

[amanda21]

Thanks will hold off for a little while longer.  :)

[john_miller]

While listening to a radio programme a few weeks ago this came as a surprise to me but if aubergines/eggplant don't fruit:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/newsletters/hortupdate/may02/art4may.html
Presumably it's best to remove any vascular spines first!

[tim]

Nice one, John!!

[Svea]

will give aubergines (the long thin ones you recommended, tim) and also my peppers a go inside the wallowaters. i hope the extra heat will help them along, while being outdoors the insects can do their business....... (that's the theory anyways)