Aubergines

[tim]

Wish I knew what caused that 'matting' business??

Oh, sorry - meant tomatoes!

[tim]

[Common_Clay]

I think it's Moneymaker that's a particularly early one. What gets me is that they start off shiny and at some point, go matte. I pick at that point...

moonbells
[/quote]

I think you're right, mine are Moneymaker. After I'd read the packet and seen they were for greenhouse I sent most of the seeds to my aunt (didn't have a greenhouse at the time) and just planted the remaining seeds all together in January on a windowsill, thinking nothing would happen. All 17 became strong plants, potted on and put in a mini greenhouse type of thing and they're now on my allotment, no protection but seem to be doing fine, surprising for a windy spot. Got 4" fruits or so. Must be the make.  ;)

[plot51A]

Tim - luck I think!
I tried to choose early varieties as I can only grow outside. All my fruit so far are on Orient Express, from Simpsons seeds, sown late February. They describe them as "very early, prolific, slim 6" purple/black fruit". I've other varieties - big experment this year - Mohican sown late March have grown quickly and are flowering but not yet found any fruit set. Mind you, hadn't noticed the ones on the plot till I had a really good look when this thread started!

[tim]

No wonder - Orient Express & Mohican are both great.

This is Mohican.

23/7 - Where's my picture gone??

[Robert_Brenchley]

I went to water mine after work today, and found to my surprise that they were flowering merrily. Maybe there's hope for them yet.

[Plum]

Tim how long do you let Mohican grow. New to growing these and no clues on the packet. Growing them for my daughter so am keen to know when I can surpriswe her with the first one

[tim]

Not too big. Goes for any Aub. You very soon get wooden seeds. 4-5" for Mohican? Start small & experiment? Must still be shiny.

[Plum]

Thanks, have a couple to pick then.
New to all this. Help much appreciated

[Biscombe]

I love my aubergine plants! The best thing our land at the moment! we've been picking them for about 3 weeks and there are still new flowers! do they just keep going or will they stop fruiting soon (I'm in Spain!) I will be growing Black Beauties again next year!!

[amphibian]

I planted my aubergine plants in the allotment today. They were in pots for ages (I'm still tackling my new plot so planting space is limited) and some were pot bound. They are only 15cm (6") tall. I'm worried that they may not bear fruits.  :-\

Some of my 'spare' plants have stayed in smallish pots, are only 8-10" tall and yet baring fruit and flowers in abundance. I know it's just because they think their days are numbered and they are desparately trying to seed before dying, but it is still interesting seeing a teeny plant baring fruit nearly the size of itself.

[caroline7758]

Exciting news- flowers starting to form on mine! (Well, I'm excited!)

[Tora]

Some of my 'spare' plants have stayed in smallish pots, are only 8-10" tall and yet baring fruit and flowers in abundance. I know it's just because they think their days are numbered and they are desparately trying to seed before dying, but it is still interesting seeing a teeny plant baring fruit nearly the size of itself.

That's encouraging! I went down to the allotment this morning and my aubergine plants were still just the same except for one plant, which has a flower bud! ;D Hope they all start to bear fruits like your plants. :)
I have a confession... :-[ I bought a Long Purple aubergine plant at a garden centre because I thought I would never get any fruit from mine. The plant had a tiny fruit already and three flower buds. Planted it next to my plants at the allotment. It was flowering this morning so hopefully I'll get a few decent fruits. ;D