Grow log by Sher · Original thread
What you can learnA useful mixed-result eggplant diary showing reservoir management, nutrient correction, harvest, and a late fungal failure.
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
What do you think the "fungus" or whatever it is came from?
It started on the impatiens and I don't know where it came from, Shawn. I thought they had enough air circulation.
Sorry the eggplants came to an untimely end! I'm glad you got to enjoy some before that happened.
What a shame! I'd have tried cutting the plants way back, to see whether they'd bloom again and produce good fruit. But life's too short to waste time on AG projects that aren't pleasing!
Your eggplants are worthy producers!
Woohoo! Your eggplants look great, Sher!
But it remains to be seen if they are immortal like yours.
Nice fresh lunch you will be having.
I have harvested about a dozen of the Fairy Tales. My mom didn't want any of them. Is it bad to be happy when someone refuses a gift?
Wow, your mom sure passed up some yummy food.
They are perfect! My husband likes them at 3-1/2" or even less. He says that they have a very delicate flavor then that they lose when they get larger. I think that the general recommendation is to harvest them when they're small like yours are now, though the bigger ones taste fine to me!
Nice size. Looking good.
Eggplant is one of those things you can eat at any point. The longer it stay on the plant the larger the seeds get which detract from the flavor (imho). Also, at least with all the varieties I have grown, the more bitter it becomes. One of the great things about the purple and white varieties is that they are far less bitter than the traditionally black beauty's they sell in the grocery store.
I agree. When I cook the Black Beauties, I have to sprinkle them with salt, let them stand and drain in a colander for 20-30 minutes, then squeeze the juice out snd rinse to get rid of the bitterness.
Did you know there is a way to tell if an eggplant has lots of seeds or not? Check out the Eggplants: Male vs. Female Thread.
I just read it! Mine apparently are females.
You have so many. What will you make with them?
Some of them I will slice, batter and fry. Others I will roast. If I have enough, I might make a small dish of baba ganoush.
Gorgeous little eggplants, Sher !
You have a lot of lovely Eggplants
You've got some genuine producers! The plants look fabulous, Sher! Do you know many days planted?
Thank you, lynnee. These plants definitely look like keepers. if I get more than I can use, my mother loves eggplant, so we will both be happy. About how many days, I don't know. We had a series of thunderstorms that knocked out our power, and when I reset the time I accidentally set a new garden. Sorry.
Love those little guys! These eggplants are resilient, and should be happy to shed the unhealthy leaves. Are you using CalMag+? I can't remember.
Yes, I am using Calmag. They look pretty robust now. I am really excited about them since I learned I can look forward to eggplants all season long!
Gorgeous flowers and future eggplants!
Those are fabulous big flowers, and the leaves look really healthy, Sher! Pollinate early and often, and you'll have lots of little eggplants! You taught me that--and that the best pollinator is a kid's electric toothbrush.
I'm hoping mine will be as productive as yours.And I learned from you that they will produce way more than one crop!
Wow Sher it's beautiful!
Pretty purple flowers! 😍 That's so exciting!
Wooo Hoo!!!
How exciting! Go, li'l buds!
Oh, yessss!
Mine clogged up the water level gauge, too. That's why I added an Aerovoir, to keep from bending over to refill the Farm 12XL tank all the time. Your plants look great--probably you've solved the hard water issues. Believe it or not, my eggplants are showing signs of blooming again! When I find out for sure, I'll update my own eggplant thread.
No, lynnee, I haven't solved the water problem. I have to do a full R&R on all my machines every 2 weeks. The reservoirs get coated with brown gunk that could easily develop into root rot, and the roots aren't as white as they were in Georgia. I also add a tablespoon of peroxide to the Bountys and a teaspoon to the Harvests at each water change. I am thinking of doing that weekly. i knew it! Your eggplants ARE immortal! Spooky!
All that extra attention to the water is sure paying off, Sher! Your eggplants look wonderful.
Thank you, lynnee!
And huge leaves
You can say that again!
They look great, Sher!
Thanks, lynnee!
These do look good!