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
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.... :-\
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
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 ...
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?
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
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?
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!!
Mine grew in a conservatory, I started them early (end of Jan) and polinated the flowers with a paintbrush, got very good results.
Thanks will hold off for a little while longer. :)
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!
Nice one, John!!
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)