Day 126
UPDATE#23
GrowLog
SuccessfulPatio Baby eggplant in AeroGarden: pruning, pollination, transplant, and two harvest waves
Grow log by MaryL · Original thread
23 visual updates53 photos87 replies
View recapCrop🍆Eggplant
VarietyPatio Baby
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden Harvest
Plants1
AudienceExperimental
What you can learnHighly useful record of compact eggplant behaviour indoors, especially the effects of topping, difficult pollination, transplanting between AeroGarden models, and harvest timing.
Actions:5 Pruning3 Pollination2 Harvest1 Transplant1 Nutrients
Useful practices
- early topping
- removing affected leaves
- manual flower pollination
- transplanting into a shorter unit
- harvesting in multiple waves
Problems encountered
- speckled and coppery leaves
- possible nutrient imbalance
- flower drop from incomplete pollination
- large root ball
- reduced vigour after transplant
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
S
It was a beautiful party. So many guests arrived with this one
M
You’re right, it was great while it lasted. But the only 2 guests left are hangers-on and drunks, lol!
J
Not sure if you kept count, but if you did, how many eggplants did you get from this?
M
The first harvest was only about 9 or 10 fruits because I hadn’t known whether this plant needed to be pollinated, because my cukes next to them didn’t so I wasn’t in the habit. Plus, once I started to try to pollinate it was difficult because the flowers of this plant are really tight. I never even saw any fairy dust, but I kept trying to pollinate.The 2nd batch I got around 17 fruits, because I was much better about pollinating. It was a fun project.
Day 114
UPDATE#22
Grower update
Update #22
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Actions taken
PruningCut off a long front branch.
HarvestHarvested the mature fruit on the branch and the remaining ripe fruit.
I cut off the long front branch that was sticking way out. It had several mature fruit on it so I harvested them.And then I harvested all the rest.Leaving just 2 baby ones.And then I roasted them.
Conversation
S
These are amazing. I may have to try it!
D
Oh, yum!
Day 110
UPDATE#21
Grower update
Update #21
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I still haven’t harvested these yet because the holidays have gotten in the way, so the fruit is a little plumper. This makes me recall there were many projects in my busier social past that would be at peak consumption when I was in the midst of social/dining occasions out. And suddenly my greens would turn. Very frustrating. But I’m determined to not let these beauties go to waste.
Conversation
S
They look so good. What will you make with them?
M
I plan to just roast them whole this time with olive oil and S n P. See whether the flesh turns out creamy or not.
Day 95
UPDATE#20
Grower update
Update #20
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I think a lot of them are ready to eat now. This time, instead of slicing, I think I’ll roast them whole because they’re like the size of cherry tomatoes. I’ll prick them with a fork first so they don’t explode (been there before).
Conversation
S
Lovely and I bet they will taste wonderful
U
A Great project, Mary! And no rough thorns to deal with!
M
Very true. I had forgotten about those.
Day 91
UPDATE#19
Grower update
Update #19
Actions taken
PollinationPerformed improved manual pollination during the second flowering wave.
And I have eggplant. 2nd wave. These are just 3 clusters of fruit, the biggest right now so far. I think I did a better job pollinating this time around, now that I’m more familiar with this plant.
Conversation
S
Lovely little eggplants. Like purple ornaments hanging from the plant
Day 87
UPDATE#18
Grower update
Update #18
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Tons of flowers, and I believe there’s even an eggplant or 2 lurking in there.
Conversation
S
Beautiful color
U
Stunning Purple! Lots of pollen to shake out!!
Day 78
UPDATE#17
Grower update
Update #17
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Actions taken
PollinationAttempted manual pollination of the flowers.
I’ve got a bunch more flowers! I’ve been trying my best (or almost) to pollinate, but these stamens are really stiff and you can’t see any fairy dust, so it’s difficult to see if anything transferred.
Conversation
S
That is wonderful that you have more on their way
U
I love the size of this plant . I was also disappointed that it did not win a kit on AGFB. It was Prize Worthy compared to some.
M
I was bummed I didn’t win, too. I didn’t see any winner announced that week. Maybe it was just bad timing.
Day 67
UPDATE#16
Grower update
Update #16
Actions taken
NutrientsAdded nutrients to the eggplant.
I have 2 new flowers! And more buds. So it seems I can get another harvest out of this.The plant is not looking as vigorous overall, as you can see by the comparatively smaller leaves than before, but it’s not in bad shape. I just fed it. We’ll see what happens.
Conversation
S
Very nice, This one is serving you well.
Day 58
UPDATE#15
Grower update
Update #15
Actions taken
PruningCut off the biggest and ugliest leaves.
Nothing much has happened with this plant since I transplanted it. The fruit is looking a little pale as if it’s getting old, so I better harvest and cook it. I did just give it a trim, cutting off the biggest and ugliest leaves. It looks like there are just a few flowers starting to bud so maybe this plant can continue to produce, I don’t know.I removed a lot!
Conversation
U
my fingers are crossed for it being a winner!
Day 50
UPDATE#14
Grower update
Update #14
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It is a perfect fit, isn’t it?! It used to look like this. Very clunky looking. Granted the cucumber made me position them askew, so it didn’t normally look this bad, but still clunky. Back when I bought these, the 3 hole machines were just as big as the 6, and I couldn’t fit 2 7-holers here. So I’m very happy with these.
Day 49
UPDATE#13
Grower update
Update #13
Actions taken
TransplantTransplanted the eggplant from a tall machine to a short Harvest.
I went to transplant my eggplant from a tall machine to a short Harvest to free up the tall one. The root ball wasn’t as huge a I remembered, thank goodness. It was much more manageable. I had been concerned not only about getting it through the hole, but the small water capacity of the Harvest.I love these little Harvests
Conversation
S
It is a Perfect Fit Mary
U
Perfect! I love that color Harvest too. As for the meal..I could bite into it even before it went into the oven!
Day 47
UPDATE#12
Grower update
Update #12
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This isn’t much to look at at this stage because it hadn’t gone into the oven yet, but i tucked the roasted eggplant under the sautéed orange peppers and onions and roasted tomatoes (and bacon pieces). It was so tasty I forgot to take a pic of the cooked pizza. We just ate it!
Conversation
S
It looks good even uncooked
Day 44
UPDATE#11
Grower update
Update #11
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A very simple prep so I could focus on the flavor. I sliced them and just coated them with olive oil salt and pepper and put them in the toaster oven on “roast”. The skin was a little crispy/tough prepared this way, but the flesh was nice and creamy. You’ll notice that the raw flesh is much darker by the time I put the oil, S&P on simply due to exposure to the air - they almost look cooked already! Then I put them on a pizza with other homegrown roasted veggies.
Conversation
S
My mouth is watering
U
Great harvest and meal! Love the colorful avatar as well. A Winner!
M
While it remains to be seen as to the rest of any continued harvesting, I can positively say at this point that one of the HUGE benefits of this plant is that it is so short you can grow it in a short machine. Granted, I did do an initial prune of the main stem, but I really don’t think it’s necessary, relative to the ultimate height (super short) versus the delayed fruiting. I will caution, though, that the root ball is madness. Next time I will grow in a short and smaller machine and trim the roots to see if it suffers. If anyone would like some seeds to experiment with this I’d be very happy to send some.
S
Mary, I may want to try it in the future I just do not have a machine available yet. Thanks however
M
Any time you’re ready
Day 44
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
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Actions taken
HarvestHarvested several eggplants.
I finally harvested several of my eggplants and roasted them. They tasted great!One of these was more mature than the other, as you can tell from the seeds
Conversation
S
They look great Mary! How did you prepare them?
Day 40
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
Well these haven't really gotten any bigger so I guess it's time to harvest them. Or maybe I'll just start with the biggest 1 and see how it cooks up. Once I decide how I'll prepare it (eggplant can be so tricky), it'll be exciting! 6EE3AB3F-3FC5-495F-BE64-A997CB16969D by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Conversation
U
I see a Facebook Kit Winner there, Mary! Give it a go next week!
S
I agree with Corinne! Lovely and I want to hear all about their taste
Day 34
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
More fruit! Untitled by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Conversation
D
Ahem. As the young people say nowadays:SQUEEE!
M
Lol! I had to look that one up
U
Ditto 'Squee!'
M
My only concern now is to avoid making the mistake I made last year with my outdoor eggplant. It was my first year, a kind of Japanese eggplant. I thought they were going to get longer, because that’s what I’ve seen elsewhere, so I left them on the plants. Suddenly one day they all turned yellow!! I blew it. Two huge plants’ worth or fruit ruined. In the trash. These might lead me astray too
S
I am sure you will be watching these so they will be perfect
Day 27
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
These were taken today. They're definitely starting to form some shiny purple beauties. IMG_0447 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr IMG_0449 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Conversation
U
Nice! I love the purple too..a feast for the eyes .
D
Oh, look at that! So envious here!It's like that plant has "eggplant parm" and "moussaka" written all over it!Whose seeds/variety are you using?
S
They look wonderful Mary. I am excited for you and your eggplants.
M
It's called Patio Baby by Johnny's Seeds. The fruit is baby sized as well as the plant. I have a picture from their site at the beginning of this thread (I can't repost here because I'm on my iPad). I'll probably be roasting the first few to see how they taste.
D
Thank you Very much!
M
OK remember when I said earlier that I didn't think these had to be pollinated because I couldn't see any fairy dust, and the stamen was very tight? Well today I went to clean up the plant and there are a lot of dropped flowers and I finally see fairy dust. So I think I do have to pollinate these, and the small effort that I did make resulted in the seven fruit I see. Plus the dropped, dead flowers that I ignored.
Day 25
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
Actions taken
PollinationAttempted pollination using a fingertip.
My first teeny tiny eggplant! IMG_1126 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr IMG_1125 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr So remember when I said I wasn't sure if I needed to pollinate these or not? Well I tried to pollinate using my fingertip, but I never saw any fairy dust come off. And that little area was really stiff unlike other blossoms that need pollinating. So I guess this doesn't need pollinating. Perfect for me because I always forget!
Conversation
U
Looks like you are promised quite a few from the appearance of those flowers! Truly a fun project!
S
This is exciting. Growing something new.
Day 12
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Actions taken
PruningRemoved at least eight old, large, affected leaves.
And here is a pic after once again removing many of the oldest, biggest and most affected leaves. So, it kind of looks like it did after my last prune, but with lots of flowers and buds lurking behind there. There are more affected leaves on the plant, but I'm afraid to take too much. I took a minimum of 8 leaves. IMG_1090 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Conversation
S
It is a great sign that there are no critters. The flowers are pretty and love that color!
M
I am so dying to show you pictures of my teeny little eggplants that are finally emerging from the flowers, but my computer has suddenly and inexplicably gone dark. I have no idea what is wrong or how to fix it. Hopefully the folks at my office can figure it out. Otherwise I am dead in the water for sharing pictures
S
Hopefully someone can help you Mary.
D
Sorry about the computer, but this is still a fantastic looking project!
M
Hooray! The folks at the office fixed it! (They say, I haven't tested it yet. Just arrived at Happy Hour instead. But I just had to reach out and tell you guys now! )
Day 12
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
I just checked under the leaves and I don't see any webs or critters, at least to my naked eye. What I do see here on one of the oldest and affected leaves is almost coppery. It has a shimmer to it. When I run my finger across it nothing comes away. I wonder if it is some mineral imbalance. I have not done an R&R yet. I'm out of distilled water because of the new gardens. IMG_1088 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr Here are some pretty flowers close up. I have quite a lot of flowers now! Just when I almost terminated and started over, since nothing had developed after the plant should've been mature. I'm so glad I didn't. Here's hoping I get the nutes right. IMG_1089 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Day 8
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
I went to take an updated picture of the first flower forming, and I noticed like 4 more clusters of buds! IMG_1040 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr IMG_1041 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr IMG_1043 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr But why are all my leaves so speckled??? I don't know what it is. IMG_1044 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Conversation
S
This may not be the case but as a precaution check your plant carefully for mites or webs. Especially on the underside of leaves. Also do a Dump and refill to see if it helps.
U
I remember that my Ophelia absolutely hated the nutrients . I think I fed it as if it were in a small machine.Perhaps the nutrients is the culprit? But you probably tried that already.
M
I don't think I have, actually. I did remember to keep my cuke nutes low like you said, but not this one. I'll do a R&R without new nutes and see if it improves. I am praying it's not mites or something.
Day 4
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Actions taken
PruningCut off three of the largest leaves.
So I cut 3 of the biggest leaves off. They were exactly front, left and right on the plant, very symmetrical. You can see those big boys now sitting to the right of the basin. IMG_1024 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr And while cutting those off, I found my first flowers!!! 4 of them!! I have no idea if I need to pollinate these... IMG_1028 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Conversation
U
Following this project!As for pollinating, I used my Bee just like the tomato pollination process. It just has to be shaken loose.BTW...my Ophelia turned yellow with too many nutrients.And..you have a lovely plant w/o all those horrid spikey spines!Wishing you tremendous success!
S
How exciting on finding the buds! YAY And those leaves are HUGE!
M
According to the seed packet, days to maturity is 50 from transplant. Mine is definitely behind that. I'm guessing that is because I did a hard prune/topping at first which delayed fruiting, as it can with pepper plants. Do you think so?
D
I think those numbers of days to maturity are printed to make the rest of us feel like failures.But that's just me.
M
Hah! Ok then, I'm going with that!
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Actions taken
PruningPerformed an initial topping prune on the eggplant.
I started this patio sized eggplant in July. It is called, aptly enough, "Patio Baby" and is a hybrid mini eggplant from Johnny's Seeds. Here is the description from their site: IMG_0402 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr IMG_0403 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr Their site is silent as to height, but the Burpee site says it's 16"-20" high. Who knows, as they sound the same but could be different strains. I did do an initial prune to this plant much like we do for basil and certain peppers, being the first time I'm growing it and fearing the ultimate height despite the seed description. The outer original leaves are huge! So I'm thinking I will remove those. What do you think? IMG_0994 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr IMG_0992 by Mary Kribs, on Flickr
Conversation
D
Look at the size of those leaves!!!I've been "eggplant curious," so I should be following this one.
S
Huge Leaves!
M
IKR??!!! They're even too big to make stuffed leaves with (if they were edible, idk).
M
Should I cut them? Maybe I'll start with just cutting one off. The biggest.
M
*Edited original post to include seed info