Just started eggplant seeds under lights.
Several varieties so that I see what grows best here.

What kind are you growing, Caroline? I have an OP type, "Edirne," which I grew last year but neglected and it became infested with spider mites ( ), and "Shooting Stars," a hybrid. Eggplant isn't exactly a staple of my diet, but I love growing them (and there's always eggplant parmesan if I can't think of anything else to do with them...)

I always buy my starts. Someday I will have to try seeds.

Thing is just like the tomatoes and peppers, there are just so many different types one can only get with buying seeds and starting your own.

I had the two mixed packets from Renees.
Rosa Bianca,Beatrice,Nadia
The Asian mix is not named----has a green, a white and a purple

Long Purple
Sicilian
Violetta Lunga Di Napoli
Black beauty
Brazilian Oval orange
Little Prince

Some of these are old seeds so not sure they will all germinate.

You should end up with a nice selection of eggplants.

Eggplants are iffy here, but I like to try.
Some of the seeds were older so???

CarolineScott said:Eggplants are iffy here, but I like to try.
Some of the seeds were older so???

Plant in full sun in the warmest spot in the garden.

I have found that eggplant also really do well in containers. Soil seems to stay warm in containers and they love that.

Caroline: If you are having problem any problems with eggplant, You may want to try the quick maturing varieties like Orient Express,Hansel, Gretel, Patio Baby, ...

I have Patio Baby and it does great in a container. I just have to remember to keep it watered. It produces a LOT of small eggplants. I haven't figured out a good recipe to cook them up yet. Anyone have a good recipe for eggplant?

The Little Prince one is a container variety.
Yes, I grow in containers....large containers.

I have not seen those quick maturing varieties here, but will look for those another year.

I grow all of my eggplants in containers (Earthboxes). I've had great success with Fairy Tale, Ping Tung Long, but not so much with Rosa Bianca. They actually seem to like being a little crowded in the EBs.

Haven't bought any eggplants yet this year. I had too many last year so wouldn't get much anyway this year. I like the smaller fruited Asian types the best.

All right!! After fruitless searching for two weeks at each nursery I visited at last I have found some eggplants that I want.

I used to get these no name but lovely slightly long dark Purple Italian Eggplants in a six pack at a local nursery that has now closed. Everyplace else has those Black Beauty. I tried them for two years and they were fussy miserable for me with little production. Wasn't going to get them again and haven't seen any of the smaller Asian types for sale either. Gezz, you wouldn't think it would be so difficult to buy a six pack of Eggplant!!

Any these are smaller plants but they will do fine and grow. This will do, I seriously doubt I will get any more.

So six eggplant instead of the 30 I had last year. Way too much last year I only need afew for special friends.

So the one I bought is called Gourmet Long Oriental and has a picture of a dark purple somewhat slender fruit. Said it is very productive. I have found the Asian ones usually are.

So anyway, that's what we will be eating this season for eggplant.

Planted my six eggplants that I bought. Now to wait for them to grow and bloom. They are pretty small.

Last year I had some that I planted that were just as small or even smaller. They grew quickly and bloomed and set fruit all summer. So I am not concerned that the plants are small.

So last year I had 30 eggplants and this year I have only 6. I really don't think I will be getting more as I just had not found anything too exciting at the nurseries.

I have 4 eggplants started -- 2 Edirne, 2 Shooting Stars. I grew Edirne last year, inside the hoop house, and it got infested with spider mites and never did much (although it did set some fruit). This year they're all going out in the open garden, maybe with some protection for a while by covering with clear plastic bags over ring-type tomato cages... I have high hopes for the "Shooting Stars" because even at this point (still in starter pots) the plants look a lot more healthy than the "Edirne" plants.

For you up there I guess the eggplant season is short. What with them wanting lots of heat. Hope yours do well for you.

I might try growing some from seeds next season. I would really love to have Fairy Tale again. Found a plant once years ago but no more. But I know I can get seeds.

It is encouraging to hear of your eggplants.
Mine are small and waiting to be hardened off!
It is a gamble here , but I like the plants.
If weather is warm----maybe get fruit.
If not the flowers are pretty !

They seem to be easy to start from seeds, Rita.

I've never had a problem getting eggplant to produce for me, until a couple of years ago when I grew "Rosita" and it never even flowered -- and then last year I had a couple of plants (Edirne) inside my hoop house that were pretty sickly, but I think that was entirely my fault .

I agree, Caroline -- the flowers are pretty and I like the plants!

Good that the seeds are easy to start. I might try next season.

Rosita is the worst eggplant I have ever grown!! Ever. Horrible!! So I doubt that one was your fault.

So I got discouraged by the fact that I felt there really was a poor variety of choices this spring for buying eggplants. Yes, if you wanted to buy those big pots with one plant that cost a fortune you could have some. But I like to buy in those veggies six cellpacks. Not much choice there as everyone had Black Beauty. Didn't want Black Beauty. Past two years have bought Parks Whoppers. Love the production on them. But the nursery I buy those from didn't have them.

So I decided that next season I will try my own growing from seed. I decided on Fairy Tale which is my favorite Asian Eggplant. Had plants one year but again no longer can find them.

Planing ahead. Already just bought seed!!

Meantime my baby eggplants that I did plant this season look like they have settled in well. At least there will be eggplant this season.