Eggplant Seed Preparation Tips For Growing Eggplant Seeds

Sowing Eggplant Seeds Sow eggplant seeds in cell packs or small pots, 1/4 inch deep. Water them well, cover loosely with a plastic bag or a plastic seedling flat cover to retain moisture, and place them in a warm spot―on top of the refrigerator or on seedling heat mats would be perfect. Keep the soil moist.

Do you soak eggplant seeds before planting?

Eggplant is best started indoors (or on a patio if it's warm enough) 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting into the garden. Do not set eggplants out until daytime temperatures are in the 70° F range. I recommend soaking your seeds in water for up to 24 hours. ... Most eggplant seeds germinate in 6-12 days.

How do you prepare eggplant seeds?

An overripe eggplant is typically hard and shriveled. Slice open the eggplant and separate the flesh from the seeds. Put the seeds in a bowl of water and wash the pulp away. Strain the seeds, pat them dry and spread them out on a tray to dry not more than two seeds thick.

How do you germinate eggplant seeds quickly?

Use a dome or cloche to retain heat as well as humidity to encourage germination when eggplant seed planting indoors. At optimal conditions, the growing eggplant seeds should germinate within seven days. Two weeks after germination, fertilize the seedlings once a week with a soluble fertilizer — 1 tablespoon (15 ml.)

Do eggplant seeds need light to germinate?

Supplemental light isn't necessary until the seeds have germinated, but I start it right away. This mimics the ideal growing conditions for eggplants and helps promote bushy, sturdy growth. Twelve to 14 hours of bright light will help prevent the plants from getting leggy.

Is eggplant easy to grow from seed?

Eggplant must be started from seed indoors in most areas, 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. If at all possible, it's best to start with organic eggplant seeds, to ensure that you are receiving untreated seeds from plants grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

Can you plant eggplant seeds directly in the ground?

Eggplant seed can be sown directly in the garden if the soil temperature is warm enough—and there are enough days in the season for plants to reach maturity. Seedlings started indoors should be kept under grow lights or in a sunny window after germination.

Do you remove seeds from eggplant?

The seeds of a fresh eggplant should be soft and barely visible and if they are, there's no need to remove them. If seeds are brown, scoop them out with a spoon.

How many eggplants do you get per plant?

My experience has been that 2-4 eggplants per plant is more common with the classic varieties such as Black Beauty than 6-12 fruit. The smaller fruited Italian, Chinese, Indian, or Japanese varieties produce greater numbers, but maybe not more total weight.

How long does it take for eggplant to grow after flowering?

How long does it take for eggplant to grow after flowering? Depending on the variety and the region in which you are gardening, different cultivars of eggplant will develop mature fruit within 50 to 80 days after flowering.

What month do you plant eggplant?

When to Plant Eggplant

Start seeds indoors in flats or peat pots 8–9 weeks prior to the last spring frost date. Seeds germinate quickly at temperatures between 70 to 90°F. ...
Do not plant eggplant transplants into the garden until after the last threat of frost.
If purchasing transplants: Buy high-quality specimens.

Why are my eggplant seeds not sprouting?

well this could be completely wrong, but my best guess is that its too cold. the seeds are sensitive to temperatures and wont sprout until they feel the right temp. for eggplant thats really warm, peppers especially like it super hot before they sprout.

How do you increase eggplant yield?

Eggplants prefer warm soil. You can speed up their growth, by laying black plastic over your garden soil a few weeks before planting or mulching the plants with dark compost. 8. The first few flowers may drop off of each plant and fail to produce, but the remaining flowers will each yield a single fruit.

What should you not plant next to eggplant?

Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel. Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others.

What is best fertilizer for eggplant?

A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) is often recommended for eggplant. Feeding too much nitrogen at this point can result in large, leafy plants that fail to produce fruit.

Is Epsom salt good for eggplants?

They do well with a drip irrigation system, but many watering methods work. When the first blossoms appear, spray the plants with a seaweed extract with one teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved per gallon. The solution improves fruit set. ... Young fruits are best; mature eggplants may be bitter.

Do eggplants need a trellis?

Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants should be staked for optimum growth and yield (Figure 2). Staking keeps the eggplant fruit from touching the ground, which reduces disease and improves fruit shape, particularly on elongated fruit.

Are eggplants perennial?

With proper pruning and feeding, eggplant can be grown as a perennial, though gardeners should be prepared for harvests to decline eventually.

How much water do eggplants need?

How Much Water. Eggplants are best watered approximately 1 inch per week during the growing season. This amount may increase during times of hot, dry weather. Monitoring the soil with a moisture meter will help ensure that the soil does not become dry between waterings.

Can you just throw seeds in the ground?

The simple answer is, yes. Beyond just throwing the seed out into the lawn and not performing any grass maintenance there is a whole world of lawn care. ... Even though the seeds will sprout if just thrown on the surface of the dirt there are negative effects of planting the seed in that fashion.

Can you put seeds straight into soil?

Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it's an easy process that yields great results. ... Even so, many vegetables, annuals, herbs and perennials sprout easily from seed sown directly into garden soil.

What is the best way to start seeds indoors?

How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors

Purchase your seeds from a trusted source. ...
Pot with seed-starting mix. ...
Make sure your containers have drainage holes. ...
Plant seeds at the proper depth. ...
After sowing, set the containers in a warm location. ...
Keep seed-starting mix moist. ...
As soon as seedlings emerge, place pots in a bright location.