Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• support poles and string
• overly ripe fruits that have fully changed color and may be mushy
POLLINATION NOTES
Eggplants are self-fertile outcrossers. Honeybees and bumblebees are their
primary pollinators. To secure an early fruit set, shake plants often as soon as they flower. Multiple
varieties will more than likely cross when grown near each other. Isolation distances depend upon loc-
ation. In temperate central Europe, 330 ft. (100 m) is sufficient, but mile (500 m) is recommended in
the tropics. As with peppers, mechanically isolating individual flowers can also be effective. Always
keep some original seed in storage, to be safe. Perhaps an interesting new variety will come into being
through accidental cross-pollination, but if the result is unwelcome (or the variety is rare), it is best to
have that backup.
GROWING FOR SEED
Except for allowing fruits to progress beyond eating ripeness, growing eggplant
for seed is the same as growing for food; and cultivation is the same as for the tomato, except that it is
not necessary to prune suckers. As for peppers, removing the first flower encourages vegetative
growth and fruit development. For a fast fruit set and bushier growth habit, shorten shoots; otherwise
the plant will need support poles. In cooler climates, the best fruits may be produced by cutting back to
two or three main branches and allowing only two fruits per branch.
Eggplant seeds
The large flowers of the eggplant attract many insects.
