Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly. Add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting and then every few weeks during the season, especially when plants start to bloom. Water deeply and consistently, but don’t overwater.
Can you grow Japanese eggplant in a container?
A 20-inch container can handle up to three eggplants. When growing Japanese eggplant in containers, consistently check the moisture level of the soil. A glazed pot may keep the water level too high, while an unglazed pot will tend to dry out more quickly and leave the plants thirsty.
Do Japanese eggplants need a trellis?
Staking or caging the seedlings can help keep the plants secure when they start growing heavy fruits (since Japanese eggplants are smaller than globe eggplants, supports aren’t necessary but can still be helpful).
Can you grow an Ichiban eggplant in a container?
Grows beautifully in garden beds or containers. Add a cage to your eggplant to help support stems when heavy with fruit.
How long does it take to grow Japanese eggplant?
As a warm-weather crop, your Japanese eggplants won’t survive the frost. Timing when you plant them plays a big role in how quickly they grow. Roughly, they will be ready for harvest 65 to 80 days after transplanting.
How many eggplants can I grow in a container?
Use one plant per 12-14″ container. Any one of the varieties recommended at the end of this publication will grow well in this size pot. You can also plant up to three plants in a 20″ pot. Fertilize eggplants well.
How do you take care of Japanese eggplant?
Eggplants require a sunny location, well-drained sandy loam or loam soil, and lots of organic matter such as compost or aged manure. Aim for a soil pH of about 5.8 to 6.5 for best growth. Plant 3- or 4-inch tall seedlings 2 to 2 1/2-feet apart in rows that are 3 or 4 feet apart.
How tall do Japanese eggplants get?
The plants grow about 2 feet tall and wide, and produce gorgeous dark, deep purple eggplants with matching purple calyxes. These slender fruits grow about 9-10 inches long, and have a mild delicate flavor.
How big does a Japanese eggplant get?
If grown under the right conditions, Japanese eggplants grow up to 4-feet tall and 3-feet wide. The plants reach full size in 50 to 60 days. They need plenty of space in the garden, so all parts of the plant get direct sunlight.
How do you prune Japanese eggplant?
After the eggplant begins to flower, clip the lower leaflets from the main branch. Removing these leaves boosts air circulation and allows light to penetrate the canopy. Continue to prune away suckers throughout the entire growing season to boost plant vigor and increase food production.
How do you take care of a potted eggplant?
Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly. Add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting and then every few weeks during the season, especially when plants start to bloom. Water deeply and consistently, but don’t overwater.
How often do you water eggplant in pots?
The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to eggplants is that they love moist soil. Experts suggest that eggplants require at least 1-inch water per week to grow well.
Can you grow eggplant in a 5 gallon bucket?
Another member of the nightshade family, eggplants can also be grown relatively easily in containers. You can place a single plant in a 5 gallon bucket, and this should give it enough space and sufficient nutrients, as long as you feed and water well over the summer months.
How do I know when my Japanese eggplant is ready to pick?
To know for sure your eggplant is ready, harvest one and cut it open. The skin should be tender and delicate, the flesh firm, and the seeds should be small, pale and tightly packed. In an overripe eggplant, the seeds will be darker, and the flesh around the mature seeds may be looser.
What should you not plant next to eggplant?
What Not To Plant With Eggplant. Do not plant fennel near your eggplant. Fennel inhibits growth in many plants, including eggplant. Geraniums can host diseases that also affect eggplant such as leaf blight and root rot, so it is best to avoid planting them with eggplant.
What is the best month to plant eggplant?
4. How to grow eggplant? Plant eggplant at the correct time
- Start seeds indoors: December 15 – January and May 1 – June.
- Plant transplants outside: March and July 15 – August 15.
What is a good fertilizer for eggplant?
Start by working lots of compost into the soil, plus 2 to 3 pounds of a complete fertilizer like 15-5-10 per 100 sq. ft. If you prefer, use an organic fertilizer like blood meal, well-rotted manure, cottonseed meal or bat guano. Burpee’s Big Boy Tomato Food is also super for eggplants.
How deep do eggplant roots go?
Eggplants roots reach about 2 feet deep and plants should not be subjected to water stress. Stress during the bloom can cause substantial reduction in fruit set. Keep adequate moisture in the deeper soil layers even when plants are small.
Can you plant 2 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.)
How long do eggplant plants live?
three years
How long do eggplant plants 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.
How do I make my eggplant bear more fruit?
If you have poor fruit set, hand-pollinate the flowers to help increase production. Use an electric toothbrush to vibrate to flower stems (not the flowers themselves) for a few seconds each to help the pollen move within the flowers. 9. The more frequently the fruits are harvested, the greater the fruit set.