Day 78
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
akivalocal , I couldn't eat them. While I was waiting for them to get big enough to eat, they went to seed.
GrowLog
FailedDwarf Purple Thai Eggplants Produced Tiny Seedy Fruit in Kratky
Grow log by Sher · Original thread
10 visual updates12 photos31 replies
View recapCrop🍆Eggplant
VarietyDwarf Purple Thai Eggplant
MethodAeroGarden seed starting, DIY hydroponics, Kratky hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden Harvest seed starter, DIY reservoir, airstone
Plants-
AudienceExperimental
What you can learnA strong failure case showing delayed germination, aeration problems, Kratky recovery, prolific but unusably small fruit, and harvest-timing uncertainty.
Actions:1 Equipment1 Finished
Useful practices
- moving starts into DIY hydroponics
- removing an airstone line to convert to Kratky
- monitoring fruit sheen and colour
- terminating a cultivar with impractical edible yield
Problems encountered
- very slow germination
- algae on old pods
- one plant died after aeration stopped
- poor vigour
- fruit extremely small
- fruit became seedy before use
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Day 76
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
Actions taken
FinishedEnded the project because the fruits were too small and the space was needed for greens.
I terminated these little guys today. The ones with a lot of white were getting overripe. You can see, with the teaspoon for scale, how tiny they are. I had plans for different ways to use them, but they are just too small to mess with. And they are taking up space I need for the greens I started in the seed starter. So I will just probably cut the larger ones in half, toss them all with olive oil, garlic, basil and oregano, and make a miniature roasted side dish with dinner tonight. It was a cute plant, though.
Conversation
A
Aren't they just the cutest things! I hope they were delicious.
Day 71
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
Little eggplant fruits are popping up all over the plant. At least a dozen with lots more on the way! They are really loving Kratky!
Conversation
A
Ooooh! They look just like the baby eggplant I'm growing!
S
Yours will elongate and get much bigger than mine. Mine will stay round. But they do look like twins now!
A
Fascinating! I look forward to seeing the difference. Do you think we'll harvest around the same time?
S
I'm not sure I will know when they are ripe! If one starts losing its sheen, I'll know it's overdue and okay to start picking the others.
A
Yes, eggplant are so difficult! I have been reading up on mature lengths for fairy tale eggplant, but I suppose I'll be guessing! How big will yours get when they're ripe?
S
They max out at 2 - 2-1/2 inches round. I think I can pick them now, based on my being able to pick regular eggplants when they are small. I might try a couple in the air fryer this evening to see how they do.
A
I'd love to see some photos if you do!
S
I decided to give them a few more days. But I will post pictures when I cook them. I think they are begging to become marinated kebabs.
Day 60
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
I am so excited! TWO baby eggplants today!
Conversation
S
I see them. So cute
U
ZOMG! The cuteness is overwhelming. Those are going to be delicious!
U
Nice..I spy a lot more in the making as well!
A
Oh yay!!!!!
Day 56
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
I have at least one baby eggplant, and several on the way.
Conversation
A
How lovely!!
Day 47
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
I think it has decided it wants to live.
Conversation
S
It looks like it wants to
A
These flowers are so pretty! Any updates?
Day 44
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Actions taken
EquipmentDisconnected the airstone line and converted the reservoir to passive Kratky operation.
After I unplugged the airstone and one plant died, I gave this project up for dead. I removed the airstone line, effectively turning this into a Kratky system. It looks like it is going to make it after all, although it is not really thriving. I am planning to change the nutrients every 2 weeks.
Day 15
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
I posted this picture in my DIY hydro thread, but will also post it here for those who are following the little eggplants' progress.
Conversation
C
All looks great! What lights are you using for your DIY-DWC project?
S
AG 45 watt panels, clumsythumbs. I have several suspended above my grow area and I turn them on as needed.
C
Awesome!
Day 10
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
They are growing. They will soon be transferred to a DIY hydroponic unit because I have no available Bounty space.
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
I planted these in the Harvest seed starter the same time I planted Napa cabbage and bok choy. The cabbage and bok choy are already thriving outdoors. The little guys are just starting. I had completely given up on them! My Fairy Tale eggplant seeds should be here soon. Sure hope they get off to a faster start!
Conversation
S
Glad they made it
S
Those pods do have algae because they have been under the lights so long.