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GREEN-Seeds.com
vegetables & herbs
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FARMER'S BOOKSHELF
An information system of crops in Hawaii
Department of Horticulture
University of Hawaii at Manoa
EGGPLANT
Climate
Eggplant
can be grown the whole year in Hawaii because it is essentially a warm
weather crop that requires a relatively long growing period. Eggplants
do best under warm growing conditions at temperatures between 70F. and
85F.
Cultivars
Types
of eggplant that can be grown in the home garden are the long, round,
or oval, and small, pickling types. The long type has fruit 8- to 15-inches
long and 1 1/4- to 1 3/4-inches in diameter; the round or oval type has
fruit 3 1/4- to 4-inches in dia meter, 5- to 6-inches in length, weighing
l/2 to 1-pound; the small, pickling type has fruit 2- to 4-inches long
and 2-inches in diameter.
Varieties to Plant
For
the long type plant Waimanalo Long. For the round type (or oval) plant
Florida Market, Burpee Hybrid, Black Beauty or most any variety sold in
the garden stores. For the small, pickling type plant Black Egg, or Money
Maker.
Seed Availability
Seed
of Waimanalo Long is available from the Department of Horticulture of
the University of Hawaii and at some garden shops. Pickling eggplant seed
is available from Japanese seed companies. Seed of other varieties is
available from garden shops or from mainland seed companies.
Culture 
Cultivation & Irrigation
Only
shallow cultivation to remove weeds or to work in top dressing of fertilizer
is necessary. Irrigate an average of 1- to 2-times a week when plants
are growing. As a rule, lighter soil requires more frequent irrigation
than does heavier soil. After fr uit set, increase irrigation to 2- to
3-times per week with heavy soaking.
Description
Types
of eggplant that can be grown in the home garden are the long, round,
or oval, and small, pickling types. The long type has fruit 8- to 15-inches
long and 1 1/4- to 1 3/4-inches in diameter; the round or oval type has
fruit 3 1/4- to 4-inches in dia meter, 5- to 6-inches in length, weighing
l/2 to 1-pound; the small, pickling type has fruit 2- to 4-inches long
and 2-inches in diameter.
Diseases
Bacterial
wilt is a serious disease of eggplant. If bacterial wilt organism is present
in the soil, eggplant should not be planted. There is no chemical control
or commercial eggplant variety resistant to the disease.
CAUTION:
When using pesticide chemicals, read the label carefully and follow the
directions for use, storage, disposal and all other precautionary measures.
Soil Management & Fertilization
 A fertile, well-drained
soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8 is desirable for the production of eggplant.
If the soil is not naturally fertile, apply 10- to 20-pounds of manure or
compost, or 1- to 1 1/2- pounds of a garden fertilizer such as 10-30-10
per 100 squ are feet of garden area work into the soil prior to planting.
Apply a second fertilizer
application of 1- to 1 1/2- pounds of 10-30-10 or 10-20-20 fertilizer after
the first fruit set. Apply it in a circle 6- to 8-inches wide from the base
of the plant and 3- to 4-inches deep. Apply additional fertilizer once every
two weeks after harvest to improve fruit size and plant vigor. Sulphate
of ammonia could be used as top-dressing with 1- to 2-tablespoonsful per
plant applied 8- to 12-inches from the base.
Harvesting
Fruits
of the eggplant are edible from the time they are one-third grown until
they are ripe. Fruits should be harvested before the seeds become mature.
A heavier crop will be produced if the fruits are harvested before they
reach full size. The length of the harvest period will depend upon the
care given to the plants, but the average harvest period is from 3- to
4-months.
Insects
Pest Management
Insects
most commonly found infesting eggplants are leafminers, rose and flea
beetles, aphids, and mites. These pests can be controlled with malathion
or carbaryl
(Sevin)
sprays. Sulfur dusts or sprays will also help control the mites.
Planting
Eggplant is usually
transplanted rather than direct seeded into the garden. Plant seeds in seedling
flats, beds or pots. Starting two weeks after germination, fertilize the
seedlings weekly, preferably with a solution of about 1-tablespoonsful of
a water-soluble fertilizer in a gallon of water. The seedlings will be ready
to transplant in about 6- to 8-weeks.
Set the plants
24 to 36 inches apart in rows spaced 36 to 48 inches apart. Pickling type
eggplant can be set 18 to 24 inches apart in rows spaced 30 inches apart.
Set the seedling at the same depth as in the seedbed, flat or pot, and firm
the soil around the roots. It is beneficial to use a starter solution (water-soluble,
high phosphate fertilizer) at the time of transplanting. Approximate number
of days from transplanting to harvest is 70 to 90 days.
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Green - Seeds Co., Ltd.
81/10B Ho Van Hue Street, Phu Nhuan District, Ward 9, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 (8) 847 6901 - Fax: +84 (8) 844 1392 - Email: info@green-seeds.com
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