Calliope Eggplant Info Tips For Growing Calliope Eggplants

Calliope Eggplant Care Keep eggplant watered well during hot, dry periods. Use organic mulch around the base of the plant to prevent weeds. You can also use a plastic mulch to reflect light, warm soil and increase yields. Use a slow release fertilizer at transplant.

What should you not plant next to eggplant?

Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel. Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others.

What's the best fertilizer for eggplants?

A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) is often recommended for eggplant. Feeding too much nitrogen at this point can result in large, leafy plants that fail to produce fruit.

What is the best month to plant eggplant?

June is the month to plant eggplants in the garden.

What is the best way to grow eggplant?

Eggplants grow into tall, angular plants, so they should be spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. Improve planting holes by mixing in 2 inches of compost to help hold moisture and fertilizer in the soil. Set plants at the same depth at which they are growing in their containers, and water well before spreading mulch.

Can you grow tomatoes and eggplants together?

Tomatoes: Again, because they are in the same crop family, tomatoes also make a great eggplant companion plant. But do make sure your tomato plants don't shade the eggplant, so take care when planning your garden beds! Spinach: Spinach and eggplant share a symbiotic relationship.

How many eggplants do you get per plant?

My experience has been that 2-4 eggplants per plant is more common with the classic varieties such as Black Beauty than 6-12 fruit. The smaller fruited Italian, Chinese, Indian, or Japanese varieties produce greater numbers, but maybe not more total weight.

Do eggplants like coffee grounds?

Unused grounds are very acidic. Only use fresh grounds on acid loving plants and even then, do so sparingly. ... Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium, and work as a great fertilizer.

Is Epsom salt good for eggplants?

They do well with a drip irrigation system, but many watering methods work. When the first blossoms appear, spray the plants with a seaweed extract with one teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved per gallon. The solution improves fruit set. ... Young fruits are best; mature eggplants may be bitter.

How often do you fertilize 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 full sun?

Eggplants are sun lovers. Make sure they get at least six hours of unobstructed sun per day—the more sun the better. Also, eggplant, like tomatoes, are heat lovers.

Does eggplant come back every year?

Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual. Eggplant flowers are star-shaped in various shades of purple and usually form on opposite leaves as either solitary blooms or grouped in clusters of two or more. They are perfect and primarily self-pollinating.

How often should Eggplant be watered?

Fight pests with healthy plants

In hot climates, young plants will 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.

How long does it take for eggplant to grow from flower?

How long does it take for eggplant to grow after flowering? Depending on the variety and the region in which you are gardening, different cultivars of eggplant will develop mature fruit within 50 to 80 days after flowering.

Why is my eggplant not fruiting?

When an eggplant plant is stressed, its blossoms will dry up and drop off without producing fruit. The most common reason a eggplant gets stressed is due to a lack of water.

Do Eggplants grow well in containers?

Even if you garden in a small garden bed, or grow your vegetables in containers on the patio or balcony, you can grow eggplant. ... Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly.

What to plant next to eggplants?

Additional Eggplant Companions

Peppers, both sweet and hot, make good companion plants, as they have the same growing needs and are susceptible to the same pests and diseases.
Tomatoes are often used as eggplant companions. ...
Potatoes and spinach are also said to make great companion plantings too.

How many tomato plants can I grow in a 4x4 raised bed?

A 4'x4' raised bed can accommodate 4 or 5 tomato plants. For USDA zones with longer growing seasons, & for indeterminate tomato varieties, only 2 or 3 tomato plants might fit in a 4'x'4' raised bed.

What should not be planted with tomatoes?

Plants that should not share space with tomatoes include the Brassicas, such as broccoli and cabbage. Corn is another no-no, and tends to attract tomato fruit worm and/or corn ear worm. Kohlrabi thwarts the growth of tomatoes and planting tomatoes and potatoes increases the chance of potato blight disease.

How do you know when eggplants are ready to harvest?

Harvesting eggplants should occur when the inner flesh is cream colored, fruits are firm and before seeds are visible. Learning when to harvest eggplants may require cutting into the fruit to check the color of the flesh and the size of the seeds.

Should eggplants be pruned?

ANSWER: Eggplants, like fellow nightshade family member tomatoes benefit from staking and pruning. ... Unlike tomatoes, which are pruned down to a single stalk, eggplant should be pruned to three main branches. Prune your eggplant early so that a leaf canopy forms before fruiting to prevent sunburning the fruit.

Are eggplants hard to grow?

Whether you call it eggplant, aubergine, or brinjal, Solanum melongena is interesting to grow and great fun to eat. Ben Vanheems has covered growing eggplant in cooler climates, but even if you have plenty of heat, eggplant can be a tricky crop.