Sowed aubergines! & Thai Green Peas

[veg4681]

I'm posting some piccies of our propagator cos I can't understand why you're struggling so veg4681.

Good luck with the Calliope seeds.

Unfortunately my heated propagator isn't that close to the window, it sits on top of the microwave in the kitchen. My 3 non-eggplant aubergines were sown in 3" pots and were started off in boiler room for 2 weeks before they were moved to propagator. I think they wasted 2 weeks doing nothing, then went DUFF.

I've soaked several Calliope seeds for sowing tomorrow so hopefully that should do the trick, along with pepper seeds (Lipstick & Pepperone) also soaked. This time I'll sow them in shallow pots too for more heat distribution and conservation if that makes any sense.

[smallblueplanet]

...This time I'll sow them in shallow pots too for more heat distribution and conservation if that makes any sense.

Yeah kinda, I reckon small 'pots' or modules make it easier for the compost to be warm around the seed as its closer to the bottom of the prop?

[Seahorse]

I'm guessing, but as long as your room isn't too cold (around 18-20C?), then when the aubs have germinated light is important. Mine are already leaning towards the window. The 'reflector' I knocked up (piece of cardboard box covered with tin foil, stuck on with sellotape) really helps with this and stops them leaning so much. (Edit - you may notice that the box used is an empty wine box, the bottle seperating bits of card make a good stand for the reflector. Oh and you get to empty the wine box. )

I'm guessing light cos of the difference it made to the toms/chillis/aubs last year when they were walked to the g/h (and back) as early as is possible, depending on unheated g/h temp. (Also the exercise is good for me too!)

Thanks Manda. I'd sort of assumed light over heat (if you have to choose) but it's useful to know that from someone who's done pretty well in the past!

Is the Calliope referred to in this thread like this one:

Aubergine : Calliope F1 Hybrid

It was one of my most successful crops last year! I did have an attack of red spider mite (dealt with by spraying with a cornflour solution) but other than that it was really easy and very productive.

[smallblueplanet]

....Is the Calliope referred to in this thread like this one:

Aubergine : Calliope F1 Hybrid

It was one of my most successful crops last year! I did have an attack of red spider mite (dealt with by spraying with a cornflour solution) but other than that it was really easy and very productive.

Think so, it was a swap from Ami. How did you grow it last year then?


(ps Get your kids to knock up a reflector too though, it really helps.)

[veg4681]

Is the Calliope referred to in this thread like this one:

Aubergine : Calliope F1 Hybrid

It was one of my most successful crops last year! I did have an attack of red spider mite (dealt with by spraying with a cornflour solution) but other than that it was really easy and very productive.

Yep sureeee ...that's what I've got but Suttons brand. Looks like I've got a surefire winner on my hand, just as well the bigger fruiting varieties failed on me. Thanks Seahorse for telling us so, the more reason to aim growing smaller fruiting varieties, surely! If my Calliope is successful this year, next year I will go for yellow and white Thai eggplant . BTW was the Calliope grown in greenhouse or outdoors?

[Seahorse]

Think so, it was a swap from Ami. How did you grow it last year then?


(ps Get your kids to knock up a reflector too though, it really helps.)

I really was an absolute beginner at greenhouse stuff last year! I can't have planted them any earlier than end of april/start of may (in cells) then planted out into larger pots when they were more established. I didn't keep proper records last year but looking back at my blog, I had edible size fruits by the end of July. They kept going for a good while too!

Will set the kids a half term project involving tin foil and old wine boxes

[smallblueplanet]

..I can't have planted them any earlier than end of april/start of may (in cells) then planted out into larger pots when they were more established. I didn't keep proper records last year but looking back at my blog, I had edible size fruits by the end of July. They kept going for a good while too!

That sounds very good - need to be eating aubs asap! What size pots did you put them in?

Will set the kids a half term project involving tin foil and old wine boxes

For goodness sake don't let them near the full boxes! When's half-term then?

[Seahorse]

That sounds very good - need to be eating aubs asap! What size pots did you put them in?

They were in ten inch (or so) pots. It's not great but I've managed to find a pic. This *might* be two plants but I think it was just the one:




For goodness sake don't let them near the full boxes! When's half-term then?

Next week

[smallblueplanet]

Wow! they look good, I see you can pick them small or let them get a bit bigger, yummy!

[veg4681]

Wow! they look good, I see you can pick them small or let them get a bit bigger, yummy!

Golly, golly, golly, don't they look mighty promising . Just as well I persuaded you to try out the Calliope seeds, phew . When I first saw the seeds packet, I knew instantly it would be more 'practical' to grow.

[smallblueplanet]

.....When I first saw the seeds packet, I knew instantly it would be more 'practical' to grow.

You better get your seeds sown then!