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Collection of 2 aubergine GRAFTED young plants

Solanum melongena Clara F1 - Bonica F1
Eggplant

3,0/5
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2 reviews
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Very disappointed, one plant is good, the other is dead.

Christiane, 21/04/2022

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Collection contains 2 plants

  • 1 x Aubergine Rania F1 in GRAFTED seedlings
  • 1 x Aubergine Clara F1 in GRAFTED plants

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

Duo of grafted aubergine plants: 'Clara F1', a variety that is early, productive and unique, with elongated white fruits that have a sweet and fine flesh, containing few seeds, and 'Rania F1', also early, vigorous and productive, resistant to diseases, with fruits striated violet with cream white. Their flesh is sweet and melting, of excellent quality. Aubergine is a heat-demanding plant and is grown as an annual in temperate areas. Grafted aubergine plug plants are planted from April to June, after the last frost. Harvesting takes place from July to October. Grafting allows for a faster and more abundant harvest.
Exposure
Sun
Soil type
Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Best planting time April to June
Recommended planting time April to June
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Flowering time June to September
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Harvest time July to October
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Collection items (2 plants)

  • Aubergine Rania F1 in GRAFTED seedlings

    Price per single item: €7.80
    Find out more
  • Aubergine Clara F1 in GRAFTED plants

    Price per single item: €3.90
    Find out more

Description

This pair of grafted eggplant plants brings together two early, productive, and disease-resistant varieties:

- 'Clara F1', original, with white fruits, oval and about 18-20cm (7-8in) long, with a finer and more delicate flavour than that of purple eggplants and containing few seeds. They weigh an average of 450 to 550 grams. The plant is disease-resistant and moderately vigorous.

- 'Rania F1', early and produces oval fruits measuring about 20 to 22cm (8 to 9in) in length, with violet stripes on a cream-white background. The flesh is sweet and tender, of excellent quality.

Eggplants are consumed cooked, alone or mixed in various ways: in ratatouilles, gratins, stuffed... Eggplant is a plant that requires heat and is grown as an annual in temperate areas. Grafted plug plants should be planted from April to June, after the last frost. Harvesting takes place from July to October.

The grafting technique consists of giving a desired variety (here 'Bonica F1' and Clara F1) the root system of another specially selected variety, called the rootstock. This rootstock has excellent resistance to soil parasites and diseases, which adds extra vigour to the plant: it is then more resistant to difficult external conditions (such as cold climates) and will yield significantly higher than a non-grafted plant. The fruiting of grafted plants starts earlier and lower on the main stem.

Eggplant belongs to the Solanaceae family, like tomato, bell pepper, and potato. This perennial plant in warm countries is grown as an annual in milder climates. It has ovate, hairy leaves and offers small purple flowers from June to September. Depending on the varieties, eggplants can be round or long and of different colours: from black-purple to white, passing through yellow, with sometimes uniform, sometimes striped colours... a beautiful diversity to discover!

In the vegetable garden, this sun-loving vegetable needs heat to grow. It will appreciate the presence of flowers to attract insects and promote pollination.

In cooking, eggplant is consumed cooked, alone or mixed in various ways: in ratatouilles, gratins, stuffed, etc.

Harvesting: Pick the fruits using pruning shears, from August to October (or from July for early varieties). The fruits are harvested slightly before ripeness.

Storage: Eggplants should be consumed quickly and can be kept for a few days in the lower part of the refrigerator.

Gardener's tip: We recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, if possible mixed with dead leaves. This protection, which keeps the soil moist, also limits weed growth. You can also opt for a mineral mulch (bricks, slate, etc.) which will help accumulate heat.

Harvest

Harvest time July to October
Type of vegetable Fruit vegetable
Vegetable colour bicoloured, two-tone
Size of vegetable Medium
Interest Flavour, Colour, Productive, Disease resistant
Flavour Sweet
Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate fast

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual
Foliage colour medium green
Product reference89681

Planting and care

Planting:

Grow the plants by transplanting the plug plants into trays or buckets 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 open ground should be done around mid-May or June, when the risk of frost has passed. Plant the Aubergine in full sun, in a sheltered spot. It thrives in well-drained and rich soils. As the Aubergine is a hungry vegetable, it will be necessary to add well-rotted compost in the previous autumn. In cooler regions, it is advisable to plant the Aubergine in a greenhouse.

Soak the root ball in water briefly 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 in temperature.

The Aubergine 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, being careful not to wet the foliage to avoid 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:

The Aubergine is susceptible, like the tomato, 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 underside of the leaves and green-grey on the 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 neighbouring rows.

Harvest can also be hindered by the Colorado potato beetle, an insect from the order Coleoptera. You will recognize 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 rows of Aubergines. 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 in case of rain.

6
€19.50
16
€14.50 Each

Cultivation

Best planting time April to June
Recommended planting time April to June

Care

Soil moisture Tolerant
Disease resistance Good

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil Light, rich in organic matter
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130
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