Aubergine Seeds - Pinstripe F1

8 Seeds.

Other Names - Egg Plant, Eggplant...

• Makes an attractive addition to the patio display
• Very productive variety producing tasty striped fruits
• Excellent variety for containers and small gardens

Suitable For - Container garden, grow bags, raised beds, patio, conservatory, greenhouse, small garden

Sowing Months - January - April

Harvest - July - October

Gardening is about finding the right balance! Try growing Companion Plants close by to help deter pests.

• French marigolds help to deter whitefly. Grow these flowers nearby. Also try growing marigolds off the ground in hanging baskets to provide even more protection.
• Aphids are attracted to nasturtiums. Grow these flowers close by as a sacrificial plant.
• Calendula (Pot marigold) attracts predator insects such as lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies who love to feast on aphids.
• Comfrey can be used to make a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer ideal for fruiting plants such as aubergines. It can also be used as a compost accelerator, a slug repellent and a nutritional mulch.

Soil Preperation

Use a good quality compost. As containers tend to dry out fast and compost is difficult to re - hydrate once dry, try adding some vermiculite to the growing medium. Vermiculite particles act like little sponges absorbing and storing water and nutrients making them readily available for the plant roots as and when they require them. It will also help to reduce the need to water as often.

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Sow aubergine seeds in a seed tray or a small pot if only 2 - 3 plants are required. Leave at least 2 - 3 cm between each seed. Ensure enough heat is introduced to allow for fast germination. As soon as germination starts move to an area with good daylight exposure, this will help to prevent the seedlings from growing leggy and weak. They will still need heat to develop.
After 2 - 3 weeks transplant the seedlings into 5 cm pots (pricking out). Use a pencil or dibber to help loosen the compost around the seedlings, tease each seedling out carefully with as much intact root as possible. Hold the seedling by its leaves to prevent any root and stem damage. With the pencil or dibber make a deep hole in the compost in the 5 cm pot. Firm the compost around the seedlings and water well.
Grow on in a warm location, plant into grow-bags or large pots when strong.

Direct Sowing

Aubergines need a substantial amount of heat to germinate and develop. For this reason it is not advisable to sow direct in the ground.

Growing On

For container grown plants, plant one aubergine in a 20 cm container with good quality compost and some vermiculite. For grow bags, plant 2 -3 aubergine plants per bag.
Water well and often in hot weather especially if growing in containers or grow bags. Lack of water will significantly reduce the yield. Grow bag and pot grown aubergines will benefit from a regular liquid feed as soon as the first fruits set, once a week with a high potash tomato food. A home made organic liquid feed suitable for aubergines can be made from the leaves of the comfrey plant which produces an excellent source of nutrients.

Harvesting

Aubergines are best harvested before they become seedy and bitter in taste. A dull skin to the fruit indicates they are over ripe and have past their best. Harvest when the skins have a shine.
The fruits can be picked small but are equally as good if left to mature to full size.
The fruit will continue to grow until the first cold nights of autumn arrive, when the growth will slow down drastically. To extend the growing season move container grown plants indoors. Aubergine stems will have become woody by the end of the season. To compost, cut up into small pieces before adding to the compost heap otherwise they can take a long time to break down.