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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Froglegs on January 17, 2008, 12:11:00

Title: Aubergine.
Post by: Froglegs on January 17, 2008, 12:11:00
Having spotted a ( :-[ ::)) baked Aubergine on Tim's plate yesterday, i though id have a go at growing them. But as this will be my first attempt at growing them can any body recommend a good variety to start with. :)
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Old bird on January 17, 2008, 12:51:08
Hi Froglegs

I planted - I think it was something like Black Prince or something sounding like that last year.  They did well in the polytunnel. 

This year - one of the magazines gave away freebie seeds which I am not sure what they are but I will use those!

I never did them properly last year by pinching out the growing tip - this year I will try to get round to that and hopefully they will be a bit more prolific!  I didn't do badly last year but intend to have a massive surplus - they are just gorgeous!

Old Bird

;D

Good luck
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Froglegs on January 17, 2008, 13:24:45
Hi Old bird,
I'm going to grow a few in the glass House and a few outside,will i need two differten types.
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Tee Gee on January 17, 2008, 13:44:19
I grew 'Moneymaker last year and found them quite easy to grow;

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/Veg/Aubergine.jpg)
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Old bird on January 17, 2008, 14:12:55
Hi Froglegs

I grew some outside the previous year without much success.  They were tiny and reallyl not worth the effort.  I think - it wasn't a bad year either - so I won't be growing any outdoors this year!

Good luck with yours - let us know how they go!
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: delboy on January 17, 2008, 14:17:35
Ditto!

And they developed what looked like blight, being next to my poor tomatoes..

But then there is a greenhouse at home now..
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Barnowl on January 17, 2008, 15:04:00
I started mine (a bit late) inside the GH then moved them outside around June. I only grew small bush varieties: Calliope and Little Finger.

These were pretty good and, because there are usually only two of us, the smaller fruits suited us well. Also, unlike some varieties  they don't need any salting.
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: tim on January 17, 2008, 15:36:30
They do need protection outdoors. And I think that TG's easy may be something to do with experience?

Unless you want to stuff them, or do Nigella's Involtini, I stick to the small ones. I find them earlier & certainly less pappy. And there's always something on the plant.

I have never yet pinched them out. There always seem to be several leaders, making decision dificult.
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: cleo on January 17, 2008, 16:57:57
`Easy` is such a relative term. Bonica,Moneymaker(NOT the tomato ;D) grow here both under cover and outside given a good year. I prefer Rosa Bianca personally-big meaty fruit.

As for the small guys-Thai Green` usually does well
-we will forget last season.
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: tim on January 17, 2008, 17:10:26
Yes - what happened to them!!
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Froglegs on January 17, 2008, 17:13:31
Quote from: tim on January 17, 2008, 15:36:30
They do need protection outdoors. And I think that TG's easy may be something to do with experience?

Unless you want to stuff them, or do Nigella's Involtini, I stick to the small ones. I find them earlier & certainly less pappy. And there's always something on the plant.

I have never yet pinched them out. There always seem to be several leaders, making decision dificult.

Any names to  go with the ones in the pictures Tim?
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: cleo on January 17, 2008, 18:48:39
Knowing Tim,I`ll try to guess.

The ivory I do not know,the Green might be Thai Green and the Purple also escapes me but Simpson`s seeds dropped it from their list.

Not much help really :-[
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Jeannine on January 17, 2008, 18:58:02
I too like Rosa Bianca , I love Fairytale too. XX Jeannine
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: cleo on January 17, 2008, 19:03:36
I love Fairytale too.

That would make a nice name for Okra?
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Jeannine on January 17, 2008, 20:04:46
Ok I am putting a thread on
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Amazin on January 17, 2008, 21:54:18
I grow aubergines outside in MBBs. Not so good last year of course, but in previous years they've been fine with a decent yield of large aubs. They were 'Black Beauty'
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Old bird on January 18, 2008, 10:05:56
Amazin - what are MBB's please - Thicko Old Bird here!!
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Doris_Pinks on January 18, 2008, 15:50:48
Froglegs,

If you would like some seed of a large white one that did really well for me last year, (think it was these!) http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/154 (http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/154)

PM me as I had loads in the packet, that goes for anyone else too!

Also have black beauty if you would like a few.
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: Amazin on January 18, 2008, 20:22:18
MBBs are the famous Morrisons Black Buckets - 8 flower buckets for a quid!

Which reminds me, must get some more...

;D
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: tim on January 19, 2008, 12:26:28
Sorry! Don't have an alarm thing.

Snowy, Thai Green, Macchiaw - superceded by Farmer's Long.

The Peppers are Topepo Rosso. Solid goodness!
Title: Re: Aubergine.
Post by: George the Pigman on January 20, 2008, 22:17:24
I have grown them in the greenhouse for several years. If you get them started early they should grow OK and get pretty big. They are prone to spider mite so keep them misted. Last year was a disaster for me though as they produced lots of flowers but no fruit. The reason was the desperate summer with very few pollinating insects. I found out too late I needed to hand pollinate them!
I have tried growing them outdoors with no success. Perhaps if your down South with a south facing wall you may have a chance.
Black Enorma is a good variety.