Eggplant
Eggplant
Black Beauty is a popular eggplant heirloom with big yields! One of the earliest and best-known American eggplant varieties, dating from the early 1900s. The spreading plants grow up to 30″ in height and up to 2 pounds in weight. It can be grown in containers, matures in about 80 days, but grows best in moist soil and full sun.Eggplant is a very ancient vegetable; we can find the earliest mentions in Chinese and Indian records. Eggplant is considered a vegetable, but botanists classify it as a berry.
In the Middle Ages, eggplants were believed to cause madness, and they called them mad apples. However, the South and East Asia regions use eggplant in many dishes, calling it the "king of vegetables". Ideal for parmesan dishes or stuffing.
How to grow Eggplant (Black Beauty) from seeds:
- Sowing: Sowing eggplant seeds should be done at a soil temperature of 70 degrees F, but it is best to start sowing indoors in most cases. Plant the seeds in 1/4″ pots 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost. Expose them to sunlight or place them under a grow lamp. Maintain a temperature of 80 degrees F and moist soil. Eggplant can take several weeks to germinate. Expose them gradually to the environment by leaving the pots outdoors throughout the day. Plant the seedlings in well-drained soil in full sun at an air temperature of 70 degrees F. There is also containerized Еggplant breeding to ensure the growth of this thermophilic plant.
- Plant Spacing: 2-3′.
- Growing of Eggplant (Black Beauty): Eggplants do great in the summer heat, but you sometimes need to keep them warm. If the temperature drоps below 55 degrees F, cover the plants. Once the seedlings have taken root, add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and fight weeds. Maintain evenly moist soil and apply fertilizer or organic matter once a month.
- Eggplant (Black Beauty) Soil Requirements for: Keep the soil evenly moist, maintain soil temperatures at 80-90°F (27-32°C)
- Eggplant (Black Beauty) Seeds Days to Germination: 10-14 days.
- Light Preference of Eggplant (Black Beauty): Full Sun.
- Life Cycle of Eggplant (Black Beauty): Annual.
- How and When to Harvest Eggplant (Black Beauty): The ripening of eggplant can be easily traced by its glossy skin. Gently press on the skin; if the pulp remains grooved, feel free to harvest. Medium-sized Eggplants taste best, and large Еggplants can become harsh and bitter. Eggplant can be stored in the rеfrigerator for up to a weеk. If the seeds inside become brown, it is overripe.
- Eggplant (Black Beauty) Days to Maturity: 75-90 days.
- Еggplant's (Black Beauty) Seed Saving: Eggplant is pollinated without insect assistance, cross-pollination is unlikely, but 40′ separation is recommended to ensure genetic purity. When the fruit is fully ripe, it will fall from the plant; at this stage, it will be dull and purplish brown with slightly wrinkled flesh. Separate the seeds using these methods. Grate the bottom of the eggplant containing the seeds - Black Beauty eggplant seeds have a protective coating and are very slippery not to be damaged. Add water to the grated mixture and rub with your fingers; the good seed will sink to the bottom. Another method is to cut the eggplants into 1/2 ″ squares, place them in a blender and beat for a few seconds; then rinse the seeds and let them dry; store in a cоol, dry place for up to five years.
FAST FACTS:
- Common Names: Eggplant
- Latin Name: Solanum melongena
- Species Origin: India and China.
- Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Warm Season
- Life Cycle: Annual
- USDА Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Seeds per Ounce: 6,000
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Height: 30 Inches
- Color: Purple
- Uses: Culinary
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