Eggplants are one of the great quintessential summer vegetables. However, while eggplants love the heat, too much heat stress can cause flower drop and fallen immature fruits due to poor pollination. Fortunately, there are many eggplant varieties that perform better in the heat.
How hot is too hot for eggplant?
The optimum daytime growing temperature ranges between 70°F and 85°F. When temperatures rise above 95°F, eggplant ceases to set fruit and may drop flowers or abort immature fruit.
Can you grow eggplants in the summer?
Thanks to their broad leaves, eggplant seedlings grow quickly, gaining size faster than tomatoes or peppers. If you have a long, warm growing season and use a split season planting plan, you can start seeds in midsummer for a fall crop. Set out the seedlings out during a spell of cloudy weather.
Are eggplant drought tolerant?
In spite of eggplant is well-known drought tolerant vegetable crop, but its quality and yield suffers from severe drought stress. Mulching as an effective method uses to conserve soil moisture, improve plant growth, increase agricultural production, and pest control (AL-Bayati and Hamdoon, 2019).
Do eggplants need a lot of water?
In hot climates, young plants need to be watered twice a week, to a depth of 12 inches. Eggplants do not like standing water, so mature plants should be watered deeply and infrequently. But do not allow the leaves to wilt during the day.
Can you grow eggplant in 100 degree weather?
Eggplants can only grow in warm soil—50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. 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.
How many years do eggplants live?
Eggplant plants can live up to three years in very warm climates, like zones 10-12. But in most regions they’re grown as annuals, and only live for one season.
Do eggplants need full sun?
Plant eggplant in a location that gets full sun—at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day—for the best results. Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil that is fairly high in organic matter.
Is eggplant difficult to grow?
Eggplants demand rich soil, even consistent water, warm temperatures, bonus side-dressings of nutrients, and little or no wind. They can be difficult to grow without these ingredients.
What is the secret for growing eggplant?
Like fellow members of the nightshade plant family, eggplant needs full sun to develop and produce. One of the biggest secrets of all for growing eggplant with success is to give it plenty of light. Eggplant is a beautiful plant in the garden, with large foliage and colorful fruit that suspends from above.
When should I fertilize my eggplant?
Fertilize weekly with a soluble fertilizer. Until the plants start to flower use a balanced fertilizer with a 1-1-1 ratio such as 20-20-20 or 20-30-20. Once flowering starts switch to a high potassium blend such as 9-15-30 or any fertilizer with a 1-1.5-3 or 4 ratio.
Do eggplants like lime?
Eggplants prefer slightly acid conditions (ph 5.5-7) so there’s no need to add lime unless your soil is very acid. If your pH is higher than 7, add powdered sulphur to lower the pH.
What is the best variety of eggplant?
Best Types of Eggplants
- Little Green Eggplant. This one is round, plump, and pale-green in color.
- Globe Eggplant.
- Italian Eggplant.
- 4. Japanese Eggplant.
- Ping Tung Eggplant.
- Rosa Bianca Eggplant.
- Graffiti Eggplant.
- Santana Eggplant.
How long does it take for an eggplant to bear fruit?
Eggplants are ready to harvest as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. Harvest fruits with skin that is glossy and thin. Eggplants can be harvested when they are small, though growing them longer allows for a larger harvest.
Should eggplants touch the ground?
Yes, it’s wise to create a support for eggplants. Staking eggplant keeps the fruit from touching the ground, which in turn, reduces the risk of disease and fosters fruit shape, especially for elongated eggplant varieties.
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 grows best in extreme heat?
Focus on plants that love the heat.
These include: tomatoes, eggplant, melons, peppers, malabar spinach, cowpeas, and lima beans. Sweet potatoes, okra, and southern peas can handle the most heat.
What grows in extreme heat?
Mustard Greens. Mustard greens are a staple of Southern cuisine, which means these plants are primed to perform well during hot weather. They also pair well with other heat-resistant veggies like Southern peas, okra, and sweet potatoes.
What plants can tolerate extreme heat?
7 Heat-Tolerant Plants that Love the Sun
- Lantana.
- Lemon Verbena.
- Cosmos.
- Marigold.
- Geranium.
- Salvia.
- Sedum.
What is the best fertilizer for eggplants?
At A Glance: Top Eggplant Fertilizers
- 2.1 Dr. Earth Organic Fertilizer.
- 2.2 Miracle-Gro All-Purpose Plant Food.
- 2.3 Burpee Organic Bone Meal.
- 2.4 EarthPods Plant Food.
- 2.5 Jobe’s Organics Fertilizer Spikes.
- 2.6 Southern Ag All-Purpose Fertilizer.
- 2.7 Miracle-Gro Performance Organics.
- 2.8 Jack’s Classsic All-Purpose Fertilizer.
Do eggplants come back every year?
Eggplant plants can come back every year but they usually wont. 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.