Aubergine Clara F1 GRAFTED ORGANIC seedlings

Planting:

Grow the plants by transplanting the plug plants into trays or 8 to 13cm (3 to 5in) diameter pots filled with compost. Caution: 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 has passed. Plant the aubergine in full sun, in a sheltered location. It thrives in well-drained and rich soils. Since aubergine is a hungry vegetable, it will be necessary to add well-rotted compost the previous autumn. In cooler regions, it is recommended to plant aubergine in a greenhouse.

Soak the root ball in water for a few moments before planting. Space the plants 50cm (20in) apart in all directions. Dig a hole, insert 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 frame to gain a few degrees.

Aubergine can also be grown in a pot, as long as it is placed in the sun. In this case, you can directly install the plug plants in 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 shoots that develop. This way, you can expect to harvest an average of 7 to 8 fruits per plant.

Diseases and pests:

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

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 bit time-consuming, is to remove them as they appear. As a preventive measure, sow blue flax seeds between your aubergine rows. 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 beautiful little blue flowers.

Finally, you can protect young plants from slugs and snails by placing ash or coffee grounds nearby, to be replenished in case of rain.