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I've just got the new issue of Kitchen Garden magazine where there are pictures of aubergines flowering and a tip on how to help pollinate them... but are they supposed to be flowering yet? Mine are in a mini greenhouse and are quite large and robust looking, with thick purple stems. There are no signs of any flowers though and this being my first year with them, don't know what to expect. Any advice would be gratefully received.  :)

That issue is July's so don't worry - it's a month ahead of where we are at the moment... gives you time to plan! Mine do have buds but they are still small; no doubt other folk will already have gigantic ones!

moonbells

Hi
What tips did the article give?  One of mine has a flower on it  and it's  my first year i really don't know what i am doing.  I've only got them because wyvale were selling them off really cheap and they looked big and heaalthy.  I haven't even planted it into it's final place yet as i need some more big tubs.  Better get a move on hadn't i?

Paula

Thanks a lot moonbells, makes me feel a bit better!

Pakaba, the information in Kitchen Garden just says: 'aubergine plants will be well grown and flowering prolifically this month. They may need help with pollination, so use a soft paintbrush to help things along. Aubergines definitely need to be pollinated successfully now, in order to ripen several fruits over the next couple of months. Flowers that are pollinated too late, simply won't make it.'

I'll have to keep a look out for flowers...  ;D

What did you do to get them growing like that? Mine sulked all through the cold weather, and they're only starting to grow now.

They love it hot so if you can keep them inside as long as possible they will like it. I move mine outside in late July if the weather is set to stay fair. Most are in the greenhouse still and some in a cold frame.

No flowers on mine yet though they are about 18" tall now.

Jerry

I'm growing aubergines for the first time this year thanks to a generous offering of seeds from Tim, and they are about an inch high and the first signs of the true seeds leaves are just showing.  I have them on my kitchen windowsill which is quite warm so fingers crossed they will be okay.

My biggest are about six inches; next year I'll be planting them in march and keeping then indoors until either the weather warms up or they get too big for small pots. That way I think I'll get them about right. I hope anyway. Same with peppers; my chilis are about the same size.

Robert, you and me both matey.  Was way too cautious with the weather this year. Next year will sow more prolifically to allow for casualties if the weather is too cold.

Have some at about 6" about to pot into their tubs and some later sown Black Beauty... am going to try a hot box for these as the ones in the Greenhouse always succumb to the dreaded mite... failing that I'll just have to move to the Loire valley so I can grow them outside!
;D

Saddad - whats a hot box  ???

Spotted my first flower!  :o :o