Ophelia Eggplant Info Tips For Growing An Ophelia Eggplant

Growing an Ophelia Eggplant in the Garden in height, so consider this variety for a container garden. Just be sure that the container is big enough; although small, these plants need some room to stretch. Give your Ophelia eggplants 50 to 55 days to get to maturity. The seeds take just five to ten days to germinate.

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 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.

What is the best 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 growing eggplants.

Should I pinch off eggplant flowers?

Even if you don't want to cut back your eggplant drastically, it's a good idea to remove suckers. ... Pinching off these suckers when they're small will allow the plant to focus more of its energy on fruit production, resulting in larger, more impressive eggplants.

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.

Can zucchini and eggplant grow together?

They grow well together under similar conditions. Both plants are prolific, requiring only a few plants to produce enough fruit for fresh use. Plant a few extra to preserve for later use or to share with the neighbors. Keep picking and these plants will produce a bounty of fruit throughout the entire season.

What is the best time to grow eggplant?

When to Plant Eggplant

Start seeds indoors in flats or peat pots 8–9 weeks prior to the last spring frost date. Seeds germinate quickly at temperatures between 70 to 90°F. ...
Do not plant eggplant transplants into the garden until after the last threat of frost.
If purchasing transplants: Buy high-quality specimens.

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 should Eggplant be watered?

When it's time to set the plants out in the garden, I put the eggplants in fertile, well-dug beds, with good drainage. 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.

Are coffee grounds good for eggplants?

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.

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.

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.

Does eggplant like full sun?

Keeping Eggplant Warm

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.

Do eggplants need pruning?

ANSWER: Eggplants, like fellow nightshade family member tomatoes benefit from staking and pruning. In fact, eggplant actually produces more fruit when pruned. Pruning eggplant can also improve the fruit quality of the plant, and decrease the plant's susceptibility to disease.

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.

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.

What vegetables should not be planted next to each other?

Other commonly believed plant incompatibilities include the following plants to avoid near one another:

Mint and onions where asparagus is growing.
Pole beans and mustard near beets.
Anise and dill neighboring carrots.
Cucumber, pumpkin, radish, sunflower, squash or tomatoes close to potato hills.

What can you not plant with zucchini?

3 Plants to Avoid Growing With Zucchini

Potato: Potatoes, like zucchini, are heavy feeders, meaning they monopolize the absorption of nutrients in soil. ...
Fennel: Fennel attracts beneficial insects, but they are not suitable as a companion plant for almost every vegetable, as they will impede the growth of other plants.

How far apart should you plant eggplant?

Space eggplants 18 inches apart, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.

Can eggplant and cabbage be planted together?

Planting Chinese cabbage nearby will divert flea beetles, since the insects favor the cabbage over eggplant. Certain flowers and herbs also serve to reduce pest attacks on the vegetable. Marigolds repel nematodes that might threaten eggplants.