Aubergines are mild and nutritious vegetables originating in the East, which have spread throughout the world due to their characteristic flavor and their beneficial properties for the body. In addition, there are many recipes to make with aubergines, since their texture and flavor make them very versatile when it comes to cooking.
Although they need a lot of space to grow, you can grow them in a large pot and keep it on your balcony, terrace or patio. All you’ll need is to keep the soil moist and fertile, and give your plant plenty of sunlight, since they come from warm soils.
Follow this easy step by step, and in two months you will be harvesting your own eggplants!
Process
1. To start you have two options: grow eggplant seeds, or plant a seedling obtained in a garden or nursery.
The seeds are extracted from the ripe fruits, only with the help of the fingers. Then, you must wash them with water to remove the remains of pulp, let them drain, and dry on paper for approximately three days.
Make a small hole in the soil about 1/2 inch deep, place two seeds in it and cover with additional soil. You can also do this by using a self-created seeding tool, which will come in handy at other times.
Put the pots in a warm and sunny place, for example, next to a window; and keep your plant moist to the touch.
Let the seeds germinate for about ten weeks. When they have reached 15 centimeters in height, you should transplant the seedlings into another deeper pot. Try to do this only if the weather is warm enough.
Note: if you have chosen to purchase your seedlings directly, start with the step-by-step from this point.
The recommended pot is a container of approximately 30 liters capacity, with a depth of 25 centimeters. Also calculate that each eggplant should have about 12 inches of room to grow.
As with any crop, always take care that they have good drainage, so that water does not accumulate in the roots of the plant.
It is also preferable that you choose a ceramic pot, since it will maintain heat better than plastic, favoring the plant. In addition, they tend to be heavier, so they will more easily support the weight of the ripe eggplant.
The soil you use should contain enough compost. A recommended option is to use a mixture of two parts of soil and one of sand, which will help you control humidity.
2. To transplant it, moisten the soil and make a hole where to place the seedling as straight as possible. Then, add soil around it to hold it in place, without pressing too hard to avoid damaging the root.
3. Place your pot in a sunny spot, as these vegetables grow in warm soil and require a lot of light and heat.
4. Once the plant flowers, and before it is fully grown, harvest the eggplants when their skins look shiny. Do it by cutting, without pulling the plant.
Note: Timing will depend on the variety of eggplant you’re growing, but generally you’ll be able to use them within two to three months of planting the seeds.
Tips and care of the eggplant plant
– Keep the soil moist (especially at the time when the fruits grow), but do not over-water.
– The plant must be exposed to the sun for at least 12 hours a day, and take care of the cold.
– When the plant reaches a height of 60 centimeters, it is convenient to use guides, since otherwise it is possible that the aubergines grow very little upwards and produce fewer fruits.
– Eggplants grow best outdoors, as they have more access to sunlight, and can be pollinated.
– If the leaves start to turn pale, you may need to add a little more compost to the soil.
– The average temperature for good growth is 25ยบ C, although the plant supports high temperatures well.
– Prune the inner and lower leaves to improve lighting and ventilation.
– It is not advisable to let the fruit grow too much because the flesh hardens and fills with seeds.
– To find out if it is ready to harvest, place the eggplant in the palm of your hand and gently press it with your thumb. If the shell sinks and returns to its original shape, it’s done. If it doesn’t sink, it’s not ripe enough; and if it does, and does not return to its original form, you have overdone it and it may taste very bitter.
Now that you know how to do it, you can start growing your own eggplants at home! You can also encourage yourself to start with your organic garden and you will see that there are many plants that you will harvest quickly.