Chinese eggplants thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. They require a PH range of 6.2 to 6.8. For strong root development, loosen the soil from six to eight inches. Break up the soil with a tiller or garden shovel, and make sure it reaches a temperature of 60 °F (15°C) before planting your seedlings.
Are Chinese eggplants easy to grow?
Eggplants from China tend to be elongated and deeply purple with glossy skin. They are excellent in stir fry and soup. They are quite easy to grow as long as they receive plenty of sun and heat.
How tall are Chinese eggplants?
Asian varieties will grow to about 18 inches tall, and the larger-fruited plants usually grow 24 to 36 inches tall. If you’ve treated the crop well, you should have a bountiful harvest. I pick eggplants when they are bright and shiny.
Do Chinese eggplant have seeds?
Chinese eggplants have fewer seeds than globes, which reduces their bitterness.
How long does it take to grow Chinese eggplant?
50-65 days
Days to Maturity:
They take an average of 50-65 days to mature after transplanting, depending on the variety. We sowed our eggplant seeds in late March, planted them out into the garden in late-May, and began harvesting eggplants in the third week of July.
When should I harvest Chinese eggplant?
Depending on the cultivar, Asian eggplants are ready to pick as early as 50 days after sowing outdoors, although most varieties take around 60 days. Using gardening scissors, cut the fruit off the vine, half an inch from the top’s green part (the calyx).
Do I need to soak eggplant seeds before planting?
Starting Eggplant from Seed
I recommend soaking your seeds in water for up to 24 hours. This can increase the amount of seeds that germinate and how quickly they sprout. Use organic potting soil if you are seed-starting indoors or in small containers to be transplanted outside.
Can I grow eggplant from fresh seeds?
To plant: Start eggplant seeds indoors up to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Plant the seeds 1/4inch deep, water after planting and cover loosely with plastic to retain moisture. Transplant the seedlings to the garden when soil temperatures reach 60 degrees.
Do eggplants grow back every year?
Eggplant plants can come back every year but they usually won’t. Eggplants rarely survive long past the harvest months. A perennial plant eggplant is a rarity outside of tropical climates. Eggplants can come back every year in ideal, tropical conditions.
Is Chinese eggplant good for you?
Nutritional value: Chinese eggplants contain manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6. They also have anthocyanins which give the eggplant a deep purple color and are known for antioxidant properties.
Can you plant two eggplants together?
Two feet (61 cm.) apart is fine, although 2 ½ feet (76 cm.) apart will keep you from accidentally breaking branches as you are harvesting your eggplant fruits. If you are planting lots of eggplant and need rows, leave an area 30-36 inches (76-91.5 cm.)
Can you plant eggplant in a raised bed?
Try growing eggplants in raised beds, which heat up quickly in spring. Plants given plenty of room are healthier and more productive, so space them 2½ to 3 feet apart in all directions. Water well, pour 1 to 2 cups of compost around each plant, and firm the soil gently.
What’s the difference between Chinese eggplant and regular eggplant?
China is the world’s top producer and consumer of eggplant, so it’s apt that the Chinese eggplant variety is so distinct. It has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with a white flesh and sweeter taste that fits its appearance. The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.
Can you eat the skin of a Chinese eggplant?
Like tomatoes, the seeds and the skin of eggplants are edible. A specific and popular type of eggplant, Chinese eggplants have fewer seeds and thinner skin than their sister varieties. Larger eggplants are called “globes,” but Chinese eggplants are long and thin.
How long does Chinese eggplant last?
To refrigerate, wrap in a paper towel and place in a reusable container or perforated plastic bag in the crisper section of your refrigerator for use within 5 – 7 days. Eggplant may also be blanched or steamed then frozen for up to six months.
What month do you plant eggplant?
The best time to plant eggplant is in late spring after the last threat of frost. Eggplants have a long growing season, so you’ll need to start them indoors around eight weeks before your region’s last frost date.
What is the best tasting eggplant?
Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we’ve ever tasted,” says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn’t even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.
How many eggplants do you get per plant?
The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit. ‘Black Beauty’ is the traditional eggplant size. One plant produces 4 to 6 large rounded fruit.
How do you harvest Chinese eggplant?
Harvesting Your Chinese Eggplant
Make sure they are not overripe. Look for firm fruits with glossy colors. If they are dull they may have a bitter taste. Hold the eggplant and snip from the fruit and not the stem.
What does an overwatered eggplant look like?
An overwatered eggplant will also show symptoms of this problem on its leaves. Look for leaves that feel wet, soft, and limp. More symptoms of overwatering include premature leaf drop of new growth and soft, brown, or mushy roots that prevent the plant from taking water, causing leaf curl and wilting.
What does Chinese eggplant look like?
Chinese eggplants are long and slender and can be straight or curved. Eggplant is generally spongy and absorbent. Their outer skin ranges from pale violet to bright purple and their inner flesh is semi firm and almost seedless. They have a delicate slightly sweet flavor profile.