Greenhouse Eggplant - Key Growing Information
CULTURE: Sow in flats or plugs 6-8 weeks prior to transplanting. Maintain an even 80–90°F (27–32°C) soil temp. until emergence, 70°F (21°C) thereafter. After true leaves form, transplant into cell-type containers or blocks. 4" blocks are the standard. After transplanting, maintain temp. 66–72°F (18–19°C) days and 64–66°F (19–22°C) nights. Fertilize with a complete nutrient solution (EC 2.5–3.5, pH 5.5) or equivalent as needed to keep plants dark green and healthy. Transplant to the greenhouse when plants are 10–12" tall. Space plants 1' apart in rows 2' wide, with 3' between rows. Grow plants with 2–4 stems per plant, resulting in a density of 5–8 stems per square meter (9 sq.ft.).
TRELLISING: Prune the plants to 2–4 stems and trellis on a string like greenhouse tomatoes. Basket-weaving (without pruning) is recommended in short-season areas to maximize production.
HARVEST: Harvest fruit at desired size, most commonly 1/2 lb. for baby eggplant and 1/4 lb. for mini eggplant.
DISEASES AND PESTS: Practice crop rotation or use new media to reduce incidence of soil-borne disease. Regularly scheduled releases of beneficial insects will help to control pests.
DAYS TO MATURITY: From transplanting.
TRANSPLANTS: Avg. 900 plants/1,000 seeds.
SEED SPECS: SEEDS/OZ.: 5,600–7,500 (avg. 6,500).
PACKET: 25 seeds.
MINI: 10 seeds.