Dull Aubergines

[Common_Clay]

I've been trying to keep up with all the aubergine threads going on, here's another...  :-\ ::)

I've been noticing that many of my aubergines are either growing with dull skins or the skins turning dull before they're 'normal' sized fruits. What could be the cause of this and is there anything I can do? Thanks a lot.

[Common_Clay]

[Paulines7]

I bought three aubergine plants (unknown variety) from the garden centre last year and they the fruits on them had dull skins.  This year I grew my own (Moneymaker and Black Beauty) from seeds and the skins are very shiny.  Now I don't know if it is the variety or whether it is that maybe I have watered them differently.  I certainly have far more plants this year and they are packed in close together in the greenhouse.  Maybe being more shaded has helped them.  I also grew them in growbags last year whereas this year they are in large pots.   

Someone on here will probably come up with the answer CC, but it might be helpful to know what variety you are growing.

[Common_Clay]

Ah, sorry, forgot to mention, the variety is also Moneymaker... so now I've really confused things...  ;)

[moonbells]

My Moneymakers do that too. Last year I waited for them to go back shiny and of course they didn't... they stay shiny until they're almost 2/3 what I'd call normal (from looking at supermarket aubs) then go matte.

I've got a Long Violet growing this year too, and so far it's stayed shiny and is almost full size now.

I guess it's a quirk of Moneymaker. (I also noticed last year that when they go matte roughly coincides to the point when the seeds become more noticeable.)

moonbells

[Paulines7]

Mine are still shiny but are only ½ size.  At least I know what to expect with mine now and am happy that its not anything I am doing to them.  ;D ;D   Thanks for that info moonbells. 

[OllieC]

Having tried on several occasions to have a meaningful conversation with an Aubergine, I can confirm that they are all rather dull and very poor conversationalists.

I hope I wont be too hot in this weather with my coat on.

[Common_Clay]

Still, it sounds like you've had more luck Moonbells with Moneymaker, to get 2/3 of the 'normal' size before the skin becoming dull. Some of the fruit on my plants are dull and 2" long.
  There are some longer ones that are shiny though, going to watch them like a hawk.  :)