How long eggplant seeds germinate

Author, affiliation, and publisher are not known. Certain logical inconsistencies exist due to crop failure or to bad batches of seed note the low eggplant germination. They do not interfere with the overall interpretation. Data taken from TomClothier. Below is an experiment we did with mixing different ratios of vermicompost worm castings with normal potting soil and monitoring the results. It can help prevent damping off a fungal disease , increase vigor and potentially even affect germination.

I cover mine with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, you can also cover with plastic lids to trap in moisture and keep them warm like a mini greenhouse. I have my four packs in a tray which I can add water too without disturbing the seedlings, the water will wick up through the soil and encourage root development. I use a heating pad to keep temperature sensitive seeds like peppers and eggplants warm, but sometimes the heat of a grow light can be sufficient or just a stable indoor room temperature it may just take a little longer — see the chart above.

This is something a sunny window cannot provide in winter. Sow pepper seeds indoors weeks before the last frost date. Seeds will sprout in days. Transplant outdoors weeks after the last frost, when the soil has warmed. Black plastic or row covers can help speed up soil warming and plant growth. Pepper plants tend to be self-supportive, but taller varieties and those with large, heavy fruit may need to be staked. Sow eggplant seeds indoors weeks before the last frost date.

Harden plants off before transplanting outdoors. Tomatoes are often lumped in with peppers and eggplants and there are many similarities to support this. All the techniques in this video and growing guide can be applied to starting tomato seeds, however there are a few differences:. How to Plant Eggplant. Tips for Growing Eggplant. Do not over water or allow the soil to dry out.

Once the soil has warmed, mulch around eggplants to retain soil moisture and an even growing temperature. Eggplants are heavy feeders prepare planting beds with aged compost and side dress eggplants with compost tea every 2 or 3 weeks during until the fruit has set. Eggplant is easily grown in containers. Plants will grow in pots at least 12 inches across and as deep.

Choose a smaller growing variety. One option is to feed with Organic Alfalfa Meal Tea. Japanese White Eggplan. A moderate humidity level is best. Very high humidity can cause the pollen to become too sticky and not pollinate the plant. When planting seedlings, mix compost or a fertilizer into the soil, following label instructions.

Fertilize again when the first eggplants are still very small, followed by another feeding a few weeks later. Eggplant self-pollinates, usually with the help of the wind. But pollinating insects also can assist with the process.

There are several varieties of eggplant , including:. Eggplant and zucchini are similar in shape, though eggplant is typically purple while zucchini is typically green.

They also have similar textures and can be interchanged for one another in some recipes. In general, eggplant is harvested in the mid- to late summer, depending on the variety.

And it tastes best when harvested fairly young, so check plants often for eggplants that are just becoming ripe. Transplants will take roughly 65 to 80 days to maturity while seeds will take to days. Pick eggplants with skin that is glossy and unwrinkled. They also should have a little give to them.

Use a knife to cut the stem, leaving about an inch on the eggplant. It can be stored in the refrigerator uncut and unwashed for about a week. Wash just prior to using. The container should be at least 5 gallons and have ample drainage holes. A dark-colored pot is a good option because it will absorb sunlight to provide the warm soil conditions that eggplant likes. Leave the main stem, along with the first two stems that branch off from it.

Then, after the plant has produced most of its eggplants for the season, remove the rest of the stems. This pruning should encourage vigorous new growth for the next growing season. Also, prune off any suckers around the base of the plant, so the plant can put its energy into eggplant production.

This is an inexpensive way to get a new plant, and it cuts down on the time it takes to grow from seed. The best time to take cuttings is at the end of the growing season; they can be planted outdoors the following spring.

A soil pH in the range of 6. Oval to oblong eggplants produces the large, oval-shaped, purplish-black eggplants seen in supermarkets. Most eggplant varieties produce best in warm climates. Japanese eggplants mature faster than oval eggplants, producing numerous long and slender fruits. Small-fruited eggplants are the best type for compact spaces and some varieties produce fruits in attractive clusters which may be green, white, lavender or purple.

Novelty eggplants contain unusual varieties from around the world, such as orange Turkish eggplant, green Thai eggplant, or egg-shaped white eggplant.

Whata re we waiting for? Wait until the eggplant is overripe and inedible before you begin collecting eggplant seeds. The eggplant must look dull and off-colored. Overripe purple eggplants turn brown while white and green eggplants take on a yellowish hue. An overripe eggplant is normally hard and shriveled.

Slice opens the eggplant and then separates the flesh from the seeds. Put the eggplant seeds in a bowl of water and wash the pulp away. Strain the eggplant seeds, pat them dry and spread them out on a tray to dry not more than two seeds thick. Eggplants are hot weather vegetables. They grow during short, hot seasons, thus be aware of soil and air temperatures as you plan how and when to get eggplants started ;. Grow eggplant in full sun, where other members of the nightshade family, such as tomatoes , peppers or potatoes, have not developed recently.

A heavy feeder, eggplant favors rich soil, made porous by adding compost to promote speedy growth and excellent drainage. Although the eggplant plant does not like humidity or wet conditions, keep the soil evenly moist.

Eggplants do best when the soil is consistent soil moisture and water regularly, especially when the plants are young so that they develop deep roots. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease, but consider using mulch to maintain the soil moist, warm, and to keep weeds down. Generally, eggplants must get an inch 2. Eggplants are easily grown in pots or containers.

When growing eggplants in containers , the minimum volume must be at least 3 gallons per plant. And, when selecting a container to grow eggplants in, consider one made of wood or fired terra cotta pottery. Unlike plastic containers, these are known to breathe and allow for better oxygenation of the root mass. This is a necessary aspect of plant vitality. Another method to keep pesky flea beetles at bay is to grow eggplant in containers. Compact eggplant varieties work particularly well in pots.

Keep your plants on an outdoor table to keep them out of range of ground-dwelling flea beetles. Plants produce best in inch-wide pots or planters and dark-colored pots help accumulate heat in cool climates. Growing eggplant in containers wants fertilizing as often as needed to maintain steady growth and good leaf color.