Eggplant or Solanum melongena is one of the many vegetable plants that you can grow in the garden or large containers. You just need enough space and proper growing conditions for the fruit to harvest. The Plant can easily survive in warm weather conditions. It is mostly used in cooking recipes for its bitter taste and capable of absorbing fats & oil.
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How to Grow Eggplants in Pots or containers?
Eggplants need much space so you can prefer large containers to grow. Here is the step by step procedure to grow eggplants in containers…
- Choose a hybrid seed variety to grow in containers.
- Prepare soil using potting mix and sandy soil.
- Water the plant regularly and place it in sunlight to thrive quickly.
- Proper care must be taken by using liquid fertilizers to deter pests and diseases.
- Use the sharp knife to cut brinjals and store them in the refrigerator for few days.
Choose a variety:
Select a right variety seeds to grow them in containers. Generally, prefer a bulb shape variety that best suits to grow in your home.
Pot & Soil:
Purchase small pot of size 6 inches both width and depth to start sowing seeds. Seedling trays and plastic or clay pot make easier to transfer outdoors when the plant matures. A good mix of potting soil and one part sand is used to grow eggplants.
Water & Sunlight:
Water your seeds regularly to prevent the soil from drying out. Keep the pot or container in sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours a day. Eggplant will not germinate in cool temperature. To maintain an optimum temperature of 70-80F.
Planting:
When you place the seeds in pots about (1/4) inch deep under suitable conditions seedlings develops within 7-14 days. Now it is ready to transplant to large containers or outdoors. The plant matures and reaches to a height of 8 feet tall.
Nutrient deficiency
| S. No | Element | Deficiency symptom |
| 1 | Nitrogen | Light-green leaves, small and thin walls |
| 2 | Phosphorus | Dark-green leaves, older leaves |
| 3 | Potassium | Chlorosis, leaf margins become yellow |
| 4 | Calcium | Interveinal chlorosis, necrotic leaf margins |
| 5 | Magnesium | Interveinal chlorosis on older leaves |
Pests & Diseases
| Pests | Diseases |
| Flea beetles | Bacterial Wilt |
| Hornworm | Leaf spot |
| Thrips | Damping off |
| Aphids | Fusarium wilt |
| Spider mites | Powdery mildew |
| Whiteflies | Anthracnose fruit rot |
Fertilizers:
You can fertilize the plant only when it matures. Add liquid fertilizers once in every 2 weeks by adding it to the soil. You can also use organic fertilizers such as compost, cottonseed meal, well-rotted manure to boost quickly and prefer N-P-K fertilizers in the ratio of 5-10-5 at the base of the plant.
Harvesting:
Fruit should stop growing larger and it should be the size of an orange. Now they are ready to harvest after 2-3 months from seed sowing. Use the sharp knife or pruning shears to cut them. You can store them in the refrigerator for several days.
How to Propagate Eggplant from Cuttings?
Propagating eggplants is an easy and inexpensive way to produce new hybrid varieties from cuttings. The plant can survive for years when grown under suitable conditions. Propagation can be done by using root cutting method that allows rapid growth. For this take 6 inches stem and place it in a jar containing water. Now place the entire setup near window location to provide sunlight for 6-8 hours a day or maintain the temperature between 70-80 F. After few weeks the root develops and you can transplant it to outdoors. This cutting method takes less time to produce fruits when compared to the plants grown from seeds.
Eggplant Varieties
| S. No | Variety | Specification | Harvesting Time |
| 1 | Graffiti | Purple and white stripes | 70 days |
| 2 | Casper | Ivory skinned and slightly elongated | 70 days |
| 3 | Fairytale | Lavender-white striped fruits | 70-75 days |
| 4 | Little eggplant | Small-slender fruit | 60 days |
Companion Plants
Companion planting is done to improve the growth of garden plants without using harmful chemicals. They just need little space and full sun to thrive faster. Because of its ever-lasting properties eggplants love to grow with basil, tomatoes, peppers, beans, lettuce, peas, potatoes and spinach.
Growing Tips
- Add mulches to the soil to retain moisture levels.
- Avoid overwatering as it may result in the plant to root rot.
- Maintain the soil pH between 6.3 & 6.8 to boost the plant quickly.
- Do not wait too long to harvest eggplants as the skin may become rough.
- You can transplant it to outdoors when the plant matures to a certain height.
- Make sure the container has holes at the bottom to leave excess water from it.
- Keep children and pets away from plants when you use fertilizers for better plant growth.
Health Benefits of Eggplants
Eggplant Nutrition: Eggplant is a very good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. On serving 100 grams or a cup contains 25 calories and is cholesterol free. It is also rich in magnesium, potassium, folate, niacin, vitamin B6 and vitamin K, dietary fiber, copper and vitamin B1. Change in nutrition occurs with the season and growing conditions.
Diabetes: Due to high fiber content eggplants are ideal for controlling sugar levels in the blood. It regulates glucose levels and insulin activity within the body.
Digestion: Consuming eggplant as a part of your diet is essential for gastrointestinal health, regular movements of bowels and smoothen the muscle contraction throughout the body. Fiber also stimulates the secretion of gastric juices that facilitates the absorption of nutrients and food processing in the stomach.
Cancer: A study shows that eating fruits and vegetables protects against several cancers like pancreatic, stomach, breast, prostate, Colon and lung cancer. So consuming eggplant that contains antioxidant properties help to fight against cancer cells in your body.
Bone health: There are numerous health benefits that come from eggplants to reduce the chances of affecting with bone degradation and osteoporosis. Phenol compounds are responsible for the coloration of fruits and vegetables to improve bone strength, bone mineral density, and overall health.
Heart health: Potassium, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6 content in eggplants supports heart health. Studies show that consuming flavonoid-rich foods lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by 34% compared to those who consume less.
Weight loss: Since eggplants are cholesterol free, it is healthy food for those who are trying to lose weight. It releases the compound called ghrelin and thereby reducing the chances of overeating.
Side effects: Here are the most common side effects of eating too much of eggplant that results in…
- Nausea
- Allergic reactions
- Cause kidney stones
- May lead to Abortion
Start growing eggplant that requires less space and monitors your health. If you have amazing ideas about growing eggplant in your home, please share your experience with us.
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