![]() ![]() ![]() Seeds can be collected from the Black Beauty Eggplant for regrowing the following season. The plants then wither with the cooler temperatures of the Autumn season and light frost. The plants will flourish in the heat of summer, producing leaves, flowers and fruits in a matter of 75 to 80 days. Black Beauty is a high yielding Eggplant that will produce about 5 to 6 fruits per adult plant.Ĭategorized as an annual vegetable, Black Beauty Eggplants can be established and harvested by the end of the Summer season. The plants themselves will reach a mature height of roughly 18 to 24 inches tall, and can spread about 18 inches wide. Enjoy them baked and breaded, or consume them fresh. Each fruit weighs about 2 pounds and offers a mild, squash like flavoring. These 5 to 6 inch long fruits will display a sheen, dark purple outer skin, with a creamy white inner flesh. Black Beauty is an heirloom variety that's been in circulation for more than 100 years. When stored in these conditions, eggplant seeds will remain viable for 4-6 years.Grow a garden that's filled with the delicious, Black Beauty Eggplant, from freshly harvested Solanum melongena seeds. Use a dome or plastic covering to hold in the heat and humidity. Store eggplant seeds in cool, dark, and dry place in an airtight container. Warm soil Eggplant seeds need warm soil ranging from 80(27C) to 90F(32C). Immediately after rinsing, seeds should be spread in a thin layer on screens or coffee filters to dry in a warm, well-ventilated space. Seed to harvest usually takes between 100 and 120 days, so timing is key. The mature seeds that remain can then be transferred to a strainer and rinsed with a strong stream of water. To start eggplant seeds indoors, place two to three seeds in each pot or cell approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) deep. Eggplant seeds are usually started indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost date to get a head start on the growing season. Repeated decanting will remove most of the pulp and any immature seeds. The first stage of eggplant growth is the seed stage. Agitating the watery mash will dislodge seeds from the pulp and allow the viable seeds to settle to the bottom of the container. After blending, pour the seed slurry into a larger container and add more water. If seed damage occurs, a dough blade can be used instead of a chopping blade. Seed-mature eggplants can be extracted by cubing the fruits and processing them in a food processor with a small volume of water to make a slurry of seeds and flesh. Their flesh will soften and ripe fruits easily separate from the plant when pulled. Start eggplant inside 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Assessing Seed MaturityĪt seed maturity, eggplant fruits generally change color, taking on a yellow or brownish cast, and their glossy skins become dull. It is best to sow eggplant indoors 7-10 weeks before transplanting outside. If you’re saving seeds for genetic preservation of a rare variety, save seeds from 50 plants or more. When maintaining a variety over many generations, save seeds from 5-20 plants. To ensure viable seeds, save seeds from at least 1 plant. StoringĮggplant fruits can be stored for about a week in the refrigerator. ![]() Its meaty texture withstands long cooking times. EatingĮggplant can be roasted, grilled, pureed into baba ghanoush, or fried up as a main course. Keep in mind that eggplant need to continue growing far past market maturity if you want to save seeds. When harvesting eggplant for fresh eating, pick fruits when they are large but not too firm to the touch. First, fill a seed tray with a quality potting mix and moisten it well. If you’ve ever tried transplanting a zinnia seedling, you know they are subject to transplant shock, soo avoid starting them indoors. Zinnia: zinnias need to be directly sown in a sunny spot under light soil cover. Unfortunately, eggplant seeds can be tricky to germinate, so it’s important to follow a few key steps. Eggplant: although eggplant seeds don’t need light to germinate, it doesn’t hurt either. If you’re looking to start growing eggplants in a raised bed, you’ll need to start by germinating the seeds. To protect against insect predation, transplants can be row covered in the spring. Eggplant seed germination for raised beds. ![]() Common Pests and DiseasesĮggplant can suffer damage from aphids, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, anthracnose, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Make sure outdoor soil temperatures are at least 55-60 degrees F before transplanting eggplants. Transplant outside 4-6 weeks after the last frost into a warm and sunny location. It is best to sow eggplant indoors 7-10 weeks before transplanting outside. Eggplant enjoy a long growing season, but you can extend your season by starting plants indoors. Eggplant can be a beautiful addition to your garden. ![]()
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