Aubergine Rania F1 in GRAFTED seedlings

Planting:

Grow the plants by transplanting the plug plants into trays or pots with a diameter of 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5in), filled with compost. Attention: When transplanting grafted plants, do not bury the graft point! Place the plants in a warm and bright location. Water regularly.

Planting in the ground should be done around mid-May or in June, when the risk of frost is gone. Plant the eggplant in full sun, in a sheltered location. It thrives in well-drained and rich soils. As the eggplant is a demanding vegetable, it will be necessary to add well-rotted compost in the previous autumn. In cooler regions, it is advisable to plant the eggplant in a greenhouse.

Soak the root ball in water for a few moments before planting. Space the plants 50 cm (20in) apart in all directions. Dig a hole, place your plant with the graft point at ground level, then cover with fine soil. Water thoroughly.

At the beginning of cultivation, protect the plants with a mini-tunnel or a frame to gain a few degrees.

The eggplant can also be grown in a pot, as long as it is placed in the sun. In this case, you can plant the plug plants directly into the pot.

Maintenance:

Regularly hoe and weed. Remove the suckers that develop at the base of the plant.

Water regularly, making sure not to wet the foliage to prevent the appearance of fungal diseases such as mildew. Drip irrigation is well suited.

Pruning will be necessary to promote fruit development. In July, cut the main stem above the 2nd flower. Repeat this operation on the new stems that develop. This way, you can expect to harvest an average of 7 to 8 fruits per plant.

Diseases and pests:

The Eggplant is susceptible, just like tomatoes, to mildew. This is a fungal disease caused by the Phytophthora infestans fungus. Mildew develops in hot and humid weather. Small spots appear, white on the undersides of the leaves and green-grey on top. To limit the risks, space the plants sufficiently and do not water the foliage. In terms of crop rotation, wait 4 years before growing a plant from the Solanaceae family in the same location and do not grow them in adjacent rows. If necessary, spray with Bordeaux mixture or preparations such as horsetail decoction or garlic tea.

The harvest can also be hindered by the Colorado potato beetle, an insect of the order Coleoptera. You will recognise it by its yellow head and its yellow and black striped body. The best solution, although a little time-consuming, is to remove them as they appear. As a preventive measure, sow blue flax seeds between your rows of eggplants. Sow from April to June in shallow furrows. In addition to its repellent effect against Colorado potato beetles, flax will brighten up your vegetable garden with its pretty little blue flowers.

Finally, you can protect young plants from slugs and snails by placing ash or coffee grounds nearby, to be renewed after rain.