Tender fruits are nearly round, 10-12cm long by 10-12cm diameter, with some small spines. Good yields with excellent flavour. Uniform with a medium gloss. Purple calyx.
CULTURE: Eggplants require fertile, well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.2-6.8. Sow seed in flats indoors during early spring, or 6-8 weeks prior to planting outdoors. Sow 4 seeds/25mm, 6mm deep, and maintain soil temperature at 27-32°C until emergence and 21°C thereafter. Seed will not germinate in cool soil. After true leaves form, thin to 50mm-75mm apart in flats or transplant into 50mm-75mm pots or plug trays. To harden plants, reduce water and temperature to about 16°C for about a week before planting out. Transplant outdoors late spring or early summer once the weather has thoroughly settled. Eggplants are tender, and cold weather may weaken them. Use row covers for a boost in performance and insect control. Remove when plants reach the covers or when blossoms first appear. Space transplants 45cm apart in rows 75cm-90cm apart, or 2 rows on plastic mulch, 45cm-60cm between plants. It is important to be mindful of over-fertility. Too much nitrogen often results in large, bushy plants that produce only one small set of fruit.
STAKING: Eggplants may be pruned and staked to keep the fruits straight.
DISEASE: Practice lengthy crop rotation to avoid Verticillium wilt. A 4-5 year rotation for all Solanaceae crops is recommended.
INSECT PESTS: Fabric row covers are the recommended method of control for flea beetles
HARVEST: Clip fruit stem with shears. Pick fruits of desired size regularly to encourage further production.
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