Diligently protect outdoor plants from cold in spring. Make certain there are large, unblocked drainage holes. Seedlings can be transplanted to the garden in about two months, or they can be grown to maturity in a large container. Increase the time outdoors each day for about one week, then it should be safe to move them outdoors for the growing season. https://www.thespruce.com/growing-vegetables-in-containers-1403373 It’s ideal for container growing. Eggplant varieties differ in size, shape, color, and maturation time. The pot must have a 5-gallon (20-liter) capacity, … The best medium for container grown eggplant is two parts good quality potting soil and one part sand. Fairytale, Bambino, and white eggplants are all great choices for container planting too. Start the seeds in small pots or cell packs filled with a bagged or homemade seed-starting mix. Growing eggplant from seed requires some care, but it is worth the effort because there is a huge variety you can buy in seed form, while nurseries often carry only a few types. Choose a large pot with a 5-gallon (18 L.) capacity. Container grown eggplant require large pots to facilitate their growth and provide room for the small bushes. If you remember to water, choose the unglazed pot. Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. They should germinate in 7-14 days. A good rule of thumb is to pick eggplant when the skin appears glossy and the fruit has a little give when you squeeze it. Eggplants are versatile fruits that belong to the nightshade family along with tomatoes and other fruits. Toss the eggplant with a little olive oil, some kosher salt, and pepper. Look for the word “compact” in the plant’s name. Eggplant needs a fast-draining potting soil, but also one that will not dry out too fast. Soak the seeds overnight to prepare them for planting. One of the most important elements of container grown eggplant is the container. Because eggplants are a pretty large vegetable, they need lots of room to grow and spread out. If you intend to transplant your seedlings to the garden, start the seeds 8 to 10 weeks... Potting or Planting Eggplant Seedlings. Once the seeds have germinated (typically 7 to 14 days), uncover the container and move it to a sunny window for maximum sun exposure. Once the plants start to grow, it is a good idea to stake your eggplants before they get too large. If you are growing eggplant in a pot or container, it is also a good idea to use some type of mulch, like straw or wood chips to cover the soil, which helps to keep the soil moist. If the nights are still frosty, move the containers indoors or into a garage or other protected place. Eggplant starts are the best way to go unless you live in a sunny climate as they will give you a jump start on the growing season. Plant the eggplant at the same level they were in their nursery pots and put a handful of time release fertilizer in the hole at the time of planting. But, if you want to experience the full flavor of a freshly picked garden eggplant, simply roast it. It can be white, purple, almost black, bright green, and speckled. Look for the word “compact” in the plant’s name. Growing eggplant in containers requires 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm.) Florida friendly varieties of eggplant are Astrakom, Bambino, Black Beauty, Casper, Dusky, Green Goddess, Ichiban, Long. Wait to plant until the weather is reliably warm at night, a consistent 55 degrees. Eggplant is easy to grow, and some varieties are so beautiful they can be used as ornamentals. Moisten the soil with a spray bottle (the watering must be very gentle until the seeds germinate). Planting when the soil is cold will shock the seeds and will delay the germination process. Any one of the varieties recommended at the end of this publication will grow well in this size pot. You can plant three eggplants in a 20-inch pot. Just like tomato transplants, eggplants need to be hardened off before planting. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Globe eggplants are traditional large purple or… Growing Brinjal in Pots. Most healthy plants, however, will recover from the leaf damage. If you’re new to growing plants and have not grown them much– purchase a few seedlings of your favorite eggplant variety. In the heat of the summer, depending on your pot size, that may mean you need to water your plant twice a day or more. I feed my eggplants once or twice during the growing season with a light application of fish emulsion, manure tea, or compost tea. Eggplants are also good for container growing, with one plant per 5-gallon pot. It should have condensation on its underside; if not, mist the soil with water and recover the container. Sign up for our newsletter. And if you’re not growing eggplants yourself from seed, your local garden center should be able to supply you with all … Learn how to grow these plants easily in a pot. Also, read the instructions from the manufacturer to learn how to properly take care of the plant. Plant in at least 7-8 hours of sun. Turn the pieces once or twice until the eggplant is brown and soft. Once you decide on the size of your eggplant container, you can opt for a glazed or unglazed surface. If you let the pot dry out too much—sometimes even once—it can mean the end of your dreams for perfect, unmarred fruit. If you are a forgetful waterer, choose the glazed pots. On a sunny day, soil temperatures inside black pots may be 10 degrees or more higher than in-ground soil temperatures. of space per plant or three plants can be placed in a 20-inch (50 cm.) Water the pots well and install a small support system, like a tomato cage. When potting mature seedlings or purchased starts, mix an all-purpose fertilizer into your potting soil at the beginning of the season. Once the plants have sprouted and have at least four leaves, they can be transplanted into the desired containers. Each eggplant needs 12 to 14 inches to grow in a container. Clay or plastic pot will be good choices. Plant transplants of tomato, pepper, eggplant, and in late August, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. There are cultivars, however, that have been developed to be compact as an answer to the growing number of small space gardeners. You do not want to pick eggplant before it is ripe. Larger plants will grow in containers as well, but you’ll need to trellis them. This helps to supply potassium, which the plants need to keep producing fruit. Then, plant 1 to 2 seeds in each container and wait for the seedlings to sprout, which can take up to 2 weeks. They need large enough containers to support the roots of such a heavy plant, a well draining medium, extra food and consistent water and, of course, the right container. Find Out Which Is Best for Your Garden, Vegetable Container Gardening for Beginners, Cucamelon (Mexican Sour Gherkin) Plant Profile. If you wish to plant eggplant from seeds be sure to plant 2 seeds in each container, as this will likely ensure at least one will grow. Place a few seeds in each cell or pot, and cover gently with 1/4 inch of soil. Also, eggplant, like tomatoes, are heat lovers. Although it is quite challenging to grow eggplants from seeds, this is the common option for many home gardeners. They thrive in the heat and need to be exposed to high temperatures both day and night. A 5-gallon bucket is the minimum I would recommend for growing eggplants. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! You can begin fertilizing once each plant has a set of true leaves, starting with a fish emulsion or kelp solution diluted to one-quarter strength, once a week. How To Grow Eggplant From Seed and in Containers Germinating Eggplant Seeds. Make sure that the pot has large drainage holes as well – this is very important. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. You can also build a bamboo cage or use a coated metal tomato cage. The flowers are gorgeous, and the eggplants look like little (or big) molded sculptures. Your goal is to keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Unglazed pots dry out more quickly than glazed pots, but they also allow the evaporation of excess moisture. If you remember to water, choose the unglazed pot. These smaller plants provide a means to growing eggplant in containers. It can be round, long and thin, or pear-shaped. Specific recommendations for growing container eggplant Use one plant per 12-14" container. Growing Eggplant in the container, make sure the container is large in size, and filled with soil. Here are a few of our favorite eggplant varieties for planting in pots: If you have something more significant, use it. Eggplant requires a lot of nutrients. This avoids disturbing the roots once the plant is established. Eggplants are sun lovers. In this episode we plant eggplant seedlings in containers. Keep an eye on the plastic covering. of space per plant or three plants can be placed in a 20-inch (50 cm.) If growing eggplant in containers, stake the stems before the fruit forms. Any eggplant suits container growing, but the heirloom and smaller varieties perform particularly well. Growing eggplants in pots is possible in two ways– Either start them using seeds or buy the seedlings from a nearby nursery or garden center. It will be grown by many of us for its edible fruits. This ensures adequate nutrients and water retention while encouraging draining of excess moisture. For general feeding, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer every other week during the growing season. Rosa Bianca and Black Beauty are perfect for making Eggplant Parmigiana. When the weather warms to daytime temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, harden off the plants by moving them outside for a few hours during the warmer time of the day. Types Of White Eggplant: Are There Eggplants That Are White, Making Tomato Cages - How To Build A Tomato Cage, Hanging Eggplants: Can You Grow An Eggplant Upside Down, Pachycereus Elephant Cactus Info: Tips For Growing Elephant Cactus At Home, Indoor Maidenhair Fern Care – Growing A Maidenhair Fern As A Houseplant, Growing Indoor Calla Lilies – Care For Calla Lilies In The Home, Eliminate Dollar Weed – How To Kill Dollar Weed, Celery Harvest – Picking Celery In Your Garden, My Oldest Houseplant: A Ponytail Palm That’s Seen It All, Christmas Cactus Plants Bring Memories Of Grandmother, The Challenges Of Growing Gardenia As A Houseplant, Shamrock Plant Care – Growing My Lucky Oxalis Houseplant. After preparing the seeds, prepare the container that you will use. You will need to know what kind of eggplant you have planted to know when to harvest it. Growing Eggplant in Containers From Seed Be sure to start seeds when temperatures reach 64F, which would typically be about late February or April. Potting mix (1 part of the soil, 1 part of organic fertilizer, and 1 part of peat moss) is good for container planting. container. This disease is fairly common in traditional garden soil. You can choose containers made from different materials, but the terracotta pot is the best. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Generally, pick it when it is on the smaller side. Any eggplant suits container growing, but the heirloom and smaller varieties perform particularly well. Choose a big container, at least a 5 gallon capacity pot or container. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Eggplant Care Best Type of Container. Make sure they get at least six hours of unobstructed sun per day—the more sun the better. Two-ring tomato cages work best. Growing eggplant in containers requires 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm.) waiwai08/getty. Slowly acclimate plants to the outdoors over a week or so. Also, consistent watering is key to continued eggplant health. You have more flexibility with container-grown plants, but the same general timeframe is recommended, to take advantage of the full growing season. Prone to nasty, soil-borne verticillium wilt, this disease should not be a problem if you use a high-quality potting soil. Choose seeds depending on the variety that you would like to plant. Hi Home Gardeners, today we discuss growing brinjal in pots. Leave on the skin and cut it into small pieces about a half-inch square. Give each plant at least a foot and a half of space. Eggplants are one of the few vegetables that are easier to maintain when placed in containers as opposed to extensive vegetable gardens. Growing eggplant would be ridiculously easy if not for eggplant flea … For the best results, fill a seed tray with a non-soil growing medium, like vermiculite or compost. If you intend to transplant your seedlings to the garden, start the seeds 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Most globe type eggplants I've grown couldn't tolerate the summer heat - they grow best during the cooler months. Anticipate eggplant flea beetles. There are so many ways to cook eggplant, really, there is no best way to cook it. Eggplant is a short season vegetable How to grow eggplant from seed and transplant in gardens. container. For bigger fruits, restrict to five or six per plant. As the plants grow and bear, they will need support. Larger plants will grow in containers as well, but you’ll need to trellis them. Kerry Michaels is a writer and photographer with several years specializing in gardening and landscape design. Most varieties will be fine tied to a piece of bamboo or a wooden stake sunk deeply into your pot. Because eggplant really needs warm soil to grow well, gardeners in cool climates often do best growing the plants in large, dark-colored containers. Choose a large pot to house your mature eggplant. Cover the planters with a plastic bag or film, and set the pots on top of the refrigerator or on a heat mat; the ideal temperature for germination is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Growing Eggplants. Unglazed pots dry out more quickly than glazed pots, but they also allow the evaporation of excess moisture. Lay it in a single layer in a baking pan. Pinch out the terminal growing points for a bushier plant. Fertile and Well-Draining Soil: Starting with the right potting soil will keep your … If the conditions are too cold, the plants will fail to thrive. Transplant seedlings grown in separate containers without disturbing the roots. If you are using a very light soil, you will have to water enough times during the day so that the soil does not completely dry out. If you see tiny round holes in the leaves of the plants early in the season, you could have flea beetles, but again, this is not likely to happen with potted plants that use a sterile potting soil. Eggplant comes in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes. I've been trialing heirloom eggplant seeds for the last 2 years and growing them in large self-watering containers that I purchased at WalMart. The varieties include Fairy Tale, Hansel, Gretel, Rosa Bianca, Little Fingers, and Orient Express. Eggplants are relatively easy to grow in containers, but they are susceptible to many garden pests. This … Unglazed – These containers absorb … Eggplants in pots are as easy to grow as tomatoes in pots. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, How To Grow Herbs Indoors on a Sunny Windowsill, Vegetable Seeds or Seedlings? If this is the route you wish to go, you will need a pretty large container. The following eggplant varieties are not only easier than some to grow, but they have a flavor that you’ll love. Repot eggplant seedlings into larger pots filled with potting soil or the same mix the seeds were germinated in. This makes eggplant a popular vegetable to grow in containers because you can always move them around for the best view. It is imp… Fairy Tale – One of my favorite types, this prolific plant bears small, slender, light-purple fruits with white splotches. Water well to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches so the soil is moist but never soggy. With the rise of upside down gardening, traditional container gardening has expanded its previous barriers. Modern breeding programs are answering the call of the limited space gardener. You can also plant up to three plants in a 20" pot. While it is possible to grow just about any eggplant variety in a container assuming you have the space and time to care for it, there are certain varieties that are easier to grow in cramped spaces than others. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Mulch immediately after transplanting, and gently hand pull … Most are heavy, dense fruits on medium to large sized bushes which wouldn’t be appropriate for container grown eggplant. Brinjal which is also called as Eggplant or Aubergine is a perennial plant which belongs to the family of Solanaceae. Updated video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwVlZo-0l0 Tips on growing great looking eggplants in containers. Plant in organic-rich well-drained soil. To grow eggplant, start by planting your seeds 6 to 9 weeks before the last frost is expected. See to it that the seeds are disease-free. Growing eggplant in containers is an easy way to add this wonderful vegetable to your own gardening repertoire, if you’re not already growing it. Drought tolerant but for happier plants water regularly. Nurture your eggplant sprouts for 8 to 10 weeks before moving them to the garden or taking them outdoors in permanent containers. You can eat it right out of the oven or cold the next day. Long and slender, the Ichiban eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a good crop to grow in outdoor gardens or containers in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4-10. Two-ring tomato cages work best. Great looking eggplants in pots seeds were germinated in of upside down gardening traditional. Disease should not be a problem if you use a coated metal tomato cage not be a problem if want... Heat lovers, pepper, eggplant, start by planting your seeds 6 to weeks. Water, choose the glazed pots, but the same general timeframe is recommended to! 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Updated video: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=AHwVlZo-0l0 tips on growing great looking eggplants in containers day about!