Too late for aubergines?

[caroline7758]

I thought I was ok sowing my aubergine seeds last weekend, but I just read this on the Kitchen Garden website:

"You might get away with sowing aubergines at the beginning of March, for growing on in an unheated structure, but any later than that, forget it and buy plants instead."

What do you think?

[caroline7758]

[Suzanne]

I am a complete novice at aubergines - so the ones i got from a swap on this site were only started last weekend as well. I thought it would be okay to sow at the same time as my toms, so will be really interested in the replies.

[Deb P]

I sowed my aubergines early March last year and they all fruited well and carried on in an unheated greenhouse until late November! I will be sowing mine in the next few days... 8)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Mine went in a couple of weeks ago. If I don't get a crop, I'll be planting next January!

[caseylee]

I planted mine two weeks ago, and they are sad looking at the moment, I am going to sow some more tomorrow to see if they turn out any better

[allaboutliverpool]

I sowed my Purple Prince in heat on 23rd March and planted on into cold plastic greenhouse. On 21st July I picked my first small, ripe aubergine weighing 54grams. It was also the last!

Why? It was my first attempt.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

[tim]

The latest here has been 5 May. Normally end March/early May. Into cold 'house.

So DON'T panic!!

[caroline7758]

Thanks- I've got some very spindly seedlings to deal with today!

[tim]

SORRY - that should have read /early April!!

[Suzanne]

Well mine have germinated and now in an uncovered windowsill propagator in an unhaeted bedroom windo with the toms. Also I think it was Alipally whosent me the seed - 100% germination  ;D

[Jeannine]

I haven't sown anything yet this year, really naughty of me

[Macy]

I've no heated propagator, would the augergine seed trays (and peppers actually) be okay in the dark hot press airing cupboard until they germinate before moving them out to a window sill?

[Robert_Brenchley]

I put mine on top of the water tank. It gets them up in a few days. What's needed is warmth, otherwise they take forever to come up. Once up, they still need to be in a reasonably warm place.

[Jeannine]

Mine DO go in the airing cupboard aqnd I love it, they go i in an un heated propogater in there, I use the heated prop for other things,look evey day and take them out the minute they pop so they can get the light.

XX Jeannin e

[caseylee]

My aubergines are still the smae size and not seem to be getting any bigger

[otto_nowak]

Do home grown ones taste much different?  I've never tried growing them before as I always thought the shop ones were more or less the same....  Is that blasphemy? :o

[Deb P]

My home grown ones taste very good, but I'm inclined to grow varieties like the white 'Mohican' that you can't buy in the shops.

Just sown my first batch of chillies, aubergines and peppers, now all nice and snug on top of the water tank... ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Keep them warm or they won't get any bigger.

[flowerlady]

I haven't sown anything yet this year, really naughty of me

I can echo that !!  :-X

[Hyacinth]

Welcome to the world, Nadia :D My seedlings were through this morning & have now been moved out from the top of the combi-boiler in the pantry ....tell me....when their first 'true' leaves have appeared & I pot them on to a larger jiffy, can I bury the stems back to the seed leaves, like tomatoes?