Aubergines 2022

[Dorothyrouse]

Interesting reading about how you are all growing aubergines, I have 3 plants ( bought ones) in pots, looking ok, was thinking of putting them outside on allotment plot? Is that a silly idea? Would I be better keeping them on my patio?


Sorry if I’ve ‘jumped in ‘ on your post

[quanglewangle]

Sorry if I’ve ‘jumped in ‘ on your post

Jump, jump. Jumping in is good.

I have no experience of growing aubergines outside I am afraid but I suspect others on here will have.

[Dorothyrouse]

I did grow a couple of plants outside a couple of years ago, were very good with fruit weighing 12-14 ounces, but haven’t been successful growing from seed, so I cheated this year!

[quanglewangle]

Buying plants isn't cheating.

Around here alll the commercial brocoli (and in West Cornwall the term embraces cauliflower also) is grown from plants.

Buying finished product from sainsburys is cheating.

[Snoop Puss]

I buy plants. I don't think it would be possible for me to grow them otherwise. I don't think it's cheating.

[Mr Bones]

Interesting reading about how you are all growing aubergines, I have 3 plants ( bought ones) in pots, looking ok, was thinking of putting them outside on allotment plot? Is that a silly idea? Would I be better keeping them on my patio?

Glad you've joined us Dorothy We've grown them outside before but they need a good warm summer and a sheltered spot to do any good round here.

[Peanut]

What size pots does everyone use for their aubergines? I keep reading anything from 5 (RHS) to 10 litres (somewhere else!)

[Mr Bones]

What size pots does everyone use for their aubergines? I keep reading anything from 5 (RHS) to 10 litres (somewhere else!)

Ours do well in Morrisons flower buckets (9in pots)

[Peanut]

Ours do well in Morrisons flower buckets (9in pots)

Thanks Mr Bones, I grow my toms in Morrisons buckets, must get some more.

[quanglewangle]

Our pots are about 11l if my math for the volume of a truncated cone is right. About 300mm across the top.

BUT they sit in a sand tray (picture a large propagation tray). The sand is kept wet and is a mass of roots at the end of the season.

Sort of semi ring culture.

[quanglewangle]

BTW we have our first fruit set. About 20mm across. Pic somewhat digitally fiddled to make the fruit visible in the poor light.

First flower fell off due to aphids but the little aphidus wasps biological control seem to be earning their keep now.

[quanglewangle]

Lost the first two fruits to rot. BER probably though not actually at the blossom end. Allowed to dry out too much - always a danger with big leafy plants in relatively small amounts of compost in a warm greenhouse.

Still, third one is doing well. They swell fast once they get to this stage

[Snoop Puss]

Looking good there, QW. My plants are still quite small. Not been in the ground long (bought Friday 31 May), so early days yet. There are two of us. I bought six plants...

[Mr Bones]

Looking good quanglewangle - Have to have a peek at ours now

[quanglewangle]

First aubergine harvested.