| Aubergine | |
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| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (Unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (Unranked): | Eudicots |
| (Unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Solanum |
| Species: | Solanum melongena |
| Synonyms | |
| Aubergine |
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| Plant Data | |
|---|---|
| Min germination temp: | 15°C (59°F) |
| Max germination temp: | 20°C (68°F) |
| Germination time: | 9 days |
| Time to transplanting: | +40 days |
| Time to harvesting: | +73 days |
| Mature height: | 40-150cm (16-57in) |
| Sow depth: | 0.5cm (¼in) |
| Growing plant spacing: | 60cm (2ft) |
| Growing row spacing: | 60cm (2ft) |
| References: | [1][2] |
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The eggplant or aubergine (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae and genus Solanum. As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato. It is a delicate perennial often cultivated as an annual. It grows 40-150cm (16-57in) tall, with large coarsely lobed leaves that are 10-20cm (4–8in) long and 5-10cm (2–4in) broad. The fruit is fleshy, has a meaty texture, less than 3cm (1.2in) in diameter on wild plants, but much larger in cultivated forms. The fruit is botanically classified as a berry, and contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.
Planner[]
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Growing[]
Location[]
For outdoor cultivation, choose a well-drained, sunny, sheltered location.
Soil[]
Add a general-purpose fertilizer before planting.
Sowing[]
Sow two seedlings per pot 0.5cm (¼in) deep in pots. Raise under glass at 15-20°C (59-68°F). Remove the weaker seedling after germination.
Transplanting[]
Harden off before planting outdoors. Transplant to final location leaving 60cm (2ft) between plants in each direction.[2]
Aftercare[]
Remove growing tip when plant is 30cm (12in) high. Mist plants regularly to control red spider mites and encourage fruit set. Once 5 fruit have formed, remove lateral shoots and remaining flowers.[2]
Water regularly, but do not keep the compost sodden. Add a tomato fertiliser with each watering once fruit have begun to swell.[2]
Harvesting[]
Cut fruit once it is large enough, approximately 12-15cm (5-6in) long, but before the surface shine has gone. Dull fruit tend to be over-ripe and bitter.[2]
Troubles[]
- Full troubles list: Eggplant/Troubles
.jpg "Aubergine Sclerotinia Rot (Athelia rolfsii).jpg (281 KB)")
References[]
- ↑ Eggplant Solanum melongena. myfolia. Retrieved: 2010-07-31.
- ↑ a b c d e Hessayon, D.G. (2009). The Vegetable & Herb Expert. Transworld Publishers, London. p. 12. ISBN 9780903505468
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors). |
| Aubergine varieties |
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|---|---|
| Aubergine | Black beauty |