Your comments and tips

25 Mar 17, Doug (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)

Growing Aubergines from seedlings. Strong plants, plenty of flowers. These after a while die back and fall off.NO Fruit. Well fertilised bed, full sun,kept moist. What's wrong ?

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27 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Aubergine need a good supply of water to set fruit. They will self-pollinate as well as insects but if the water supply is not good the first thing to miss out will be the flowers and fruit. This is natures way of keeping the plant alive in anticipation of water to complete its cycle.

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12 Mar 17, Jill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My eggplants are purple but very hard. Now starting to go green and a bit striped. I picked this one and cooked - it was a little bitter. Am I leaving it too late or picking too early. Thanks jill

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13 Mar 17, KS (Australia - temperate climate)

Hey Jill, did you slice and salt and rest your eggplant before cooking? this can help flavour, minimise any bitterness. Cut to thickness desired, salt and let sit in a colander for 1-2hrs, then rinse and dry (i use an old tea towel). Then cook for your recipe or just oil on a hot pan a bit more salt to bring out the flavour then cook 'til golden. hope this helps.

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13 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

When eggplants are ripe they have creamy white flesh. If the flesh is greenish give them a bit more time. They will reward you well if they also have a good, even water supply. Trust this helps.

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25 Feb 17, Van (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi, for the first time I sowed eggplant saplings this Jan and now am getting the vege. Am so happy abt it. The tip I can suggest is water every day, put them in a good compost and in well sun positioned. If possible try feed them with vege protein liquid, I did just for once. Happy growing- all the best

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03 Feb 17, Judy Stephens (New Zealand - temperate climate)

My husband has a number of plants grown from seed planted in a sloping area shadowed by mature natives but gets around 4-5 hrs shady sun. No flowers yet but around 40cm high and been in the ground a at least 6 weeks...any hope?

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05 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Lack of sunlight and maybe competition for water may be the problem. The other thing is that egg plants are often later to fruit than their cousins - tomatoes and capsicum. Trust this helps.

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28 Jan 17, Meredith (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I am growing 'classic' eggplant. The fruit are growing bigger, but look ripe. How big should I let them get before picking? Is there any sign that they are ripe?

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05 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

If they are the purple variety and are fully coloured you could harvest them. Try one and if the flesh is cream they are ripe. Trust this helps.

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