Jilo Eggplant Info How To Grow A Jilo Brazilian Eggplant

Jilo Eggplant Care As a general rule, all types of African eggplant thrive in full sun with well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 and 5.8. Gilo eggplant grows best when daytime temps are between 75-95 F. (25-35 C.). Seeds can be collected from fully ripe fruit and then allowed to dry in a cool, dark area.

How do you grow an eggplant step by step?

Plant seedlings 24–30 inches (61–76 cm) apart, root-deep. Eggplants do best when they have room to spread and grow. Dig holes slightly larger than your seedlings' roots, spaced 24–30 inches (61–76 cm) in all directions. Gently place the seedlings in the holes and fill the space around their roots with soil.

What are the best growing conditions for eggplant?

Choose a very sunny spot for the best results. Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil, fairly high in organic matter. Soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.5 for best growth. Use a covering of black plastic mulch to warm soils before setting out transplants.

Does eggplant need sun or shade?

As a basic rule of thumb, vegetables grown for their fruit or roots—such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes, or carrots—require full sun, which is defined as a garden location that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day.

How do you grow millionaire eggplant?

How to Sow and Plant

Select a location in full sun with good rich moist organic soil. ...
Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. ...
Eggplants should be set 2-3 feet apart in a row with the rows spaced 3-4 feet apart.
Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.

How long does Eggplant take to grow from seed?

But natural light may need help in the North. Eggplant seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days, depending on the heat, moisture provided, and moisture content and age of the seed. Seedlings with two sets of leaves can be transplanted into 4-inch or 2 x 2 x 6-inch pots two to three weeks after germination.

Do eggplants grow back every year?

Eggplant is a frost tender, heat loving, branching bushy plant with thick, woody stems. ... Mature plants range from 1 to 8 feet in height. Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual.

How do you increase eggplant yield?

Eggplants prefer warm soil. You can speed up their growth, by laying black plastic over your garden soil a few weeks before planting or mulching the plants with dark compost. 8. The first few flowers may drop off of each plant and fail to produce, but the remaining flowers will each yield a single fruit.

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.

What's wrong with my eggplant?

There are several eggplant diseases that affect these crops. Some of the most common include blossom end rot, wilt diseases, and various types of blight. ... Verticillium wilt is similar to bacterial wilt but is caused by soil-borne fungal infections. Plants may become stunted, turn yellow, and wilt.

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.

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.

Are eggplants self pollinating?

With these plants, pollen must move from the male to female parts of the same flower or to another flower on the same plant. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are our most common self-pollinated garden plants.

How do you get eggplant to bear fruit?

Make sure your eggplants receive at least two inches of water per week. They'll need more than that when the weather is particularly hot. Eggplant blooms are pollinated by the wind. These plants don't depend on pollinating insects like bees to get the job done.

Does eggplant need a trellis?

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.

How do you hand pollinate eggplant?

Hand pollinating eggplant isn't rocket science. On the contrary, it's very simple and can be done with your hand by lightly tapping the flower daily during the blooming season from mid to late summer, 70-90 days post germination. The goal is to shift the pollen from the anther to the waiting pistil.

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.

What is 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.

How do you know when eggplant is 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.

Can eggplants be perennial?

With proper pruning and feeding, eggplant can be grown as a perennial, though gardeners should be prepared for harvests to decline eventually.

Should eggplant plants be pruned?

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. ... The two main branches are the main division of the plant.