Aubergine disaster

[brooklynodog]

This year I have grown 9 aubergine plants from seed onto maturity, 3 planted out into soil in P/tunnel and 6 in 12" pots. Not one has produced any fruit, and now the plants are not even green. Instead they are a velvety textured buff colour. Anyone help me get it right next year please?

[Janco]

I've had no aubergines set either. I feel pretty sure that it is the weather. We have had so little sun all summer and now the evenings are getting colder. Don't give up and hopefully next year will be much warmer.

[Kristen]

They need high humidity - trays of water nearby, and presumably not too much draught.

Mine have now gone to the velvety-leaf stage, I think that's normal. My Tom, Cue and Melon plants look like they've been in a war zone too!

[queen of the cobs]

I had a bit of luck with Violetta longa variety this year, but not huge fruits. I'll def think about growing this variety next year for a UK climate.

[Capsid]

I have 3 plants in an unheated greenhouse and 2 of them have produced one fruit each. One of those was eaten by slugs. Pathetic. Last year was much better. I'm blaming the weather.

[Comfreyfan]

I'm going with the weather theory. I didn't do anything different this year, but no fruits at all and they were in the greenhouse. Nice plants, lots of flowers, just no fruits.

[Alice]

This was my total crop from 3 plants in the conservatory.
I just don't think we have the climate for them and I'm not bothering with them any more.

[Capsid]

This was my total crop from 3 plants in the conservatory.
I just don't think we have the climate for them and I'm not bothering with them any more.

But only 2 summers back we had water shortages and high temperature records. Global warming will happen next year.

[Alice]

Yes Capsid, but I had no aubergines then either.

[trebellangeminired]

We lost our aubergine plants last year and our only two plants have stuggled to keep going this year but no flowers let alone fruits. Will give it one more go next year.

[Paulottie]

2 fruits here off 6 plants...Mmm, global warming, You could have guessed it would mean wetter summers here!...Glad I never planted one of Monty's 'drought gardens'!!!

[Don Vincenzo]

This was my total crop from 3 plants in the conservatory.
I just don't think we have the climate for them and I'm not bothering with them any more.
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Yes I do agree with you!!
I tried for few years but I gave up as aubergines require a long season. Even when I managed to grow few.... the taste is not there. Saying that next year I will try growing the mini varieties......hope is the last thing to die!!!
Don Vincenzo

[Two_Sheds]

They seem to need a long growing season (9 months?) and a good summer. RHS: Grow your own Veg

[brooklynodog]

Well thank you guys for the overwhelming response! I guess the consensus is they wont grow without the sun. I think next year I might just grow a couple in the conservatory and bring them on early as poss.

[Alison]

I'm going to go for the conservatory option next year and if that doesn't work then I might have to give up. It's a shame as they're one of my favourite veg and as I try to only eat either locally produced or home produced veg then suppose I'm going to have to do without.