Aubergines 2022

[Snoop Puss]

I buy plug plants. Nothing to be ashamed of. I couldn't grow them successfully from seed where I am. I get a good crop, though perhaps nothing quite as impressive or satisfying as QW's.

[Mr Bones]

So I've finally got a greenhouse and want to have a go at growing aubergines.
My first question is am I too late? Most of you seem to have planted them last month.
Secondly, do I need a lamp? I was planning on starting them in a heated propagator then leaving them on the windowsill before I'm ready to put them in the greenhouse.
Any advice gratefully received!

We sowed ours last week (two weeks earlier than we usually sow). They'll be kept indoors on a bright(ish) windowsill and be moved out into an unheated greenhouse during the day until night temps creep up enough to leave them there.

[Lymmguineas]

That's far enough north to get longish days in the summer. Actually, buying plants is maybe a good idea.

I'll probably end up buying some plants if my seeds don't do well.
Have to give the seeds a try though!
Thanks for the response Quanglewangle.

[quanglewangle]

I'm in Cheshire..

That's far enough north to get longish days in the summer. Actually, buying plants is maybe a good idea.

[Lymmguineas]

No, I wouldn't think you are too late. They do need a long season to get the most out of a plant but you could start later than this and still get some. They will crop on until September/October if conditions are right.

You can do without a lamp if your window sill and greenhouse are bright.

Remember aubergines are always eaten under-ripe so later ones may be small but will be edible.

Whereabouts are you, approximately?

I'm in Cheshire.
A few years back, I bought an aubergine plant in either Homebase or B and Q (can't remember which) and planted it straight in the plot. I actually managed to get a few aubergines off it so hopefully I will do even better with a greenhouse.

[quanglewangle]

My first question is am I too late? Most of you seem to have planted them last month.

No, I wouldn't think you are too late. They do need a long season to get the most out of a plant but you could start later than this and still get some. They will crop on until September/October if conditions are right.

You can do without a lamp if your window sill and greenhouse are bright.

Remember aubergines are always eaten under-ripe so later ones may be small but will be edible.

Whereabouts are you, approximately?

[Lymmguineas]

So I've finally got a greenhouse and want to have a go at growing aubergines.
My first question is am I too late? Most of you seem to have planted them last month.
Secondly, do I need a lamp? I was planning on starting them in a heated propagator then leaving them on the windowsill before I'm ready to put them in the greenhouse.
Any advice gratefully received!

[peanut]

Mrs B always buries ours deeper when potting on, pretty much the same as tomatoes and peppers - just so the bottom leaves are about 1/2 inch above compost level.

That is great to know, thank you!!
I shall absolutely be doing that then, what a relief

[peanut]

Can't speak for deeper planting. As for general leggyness - more light needed:

Here is what the other pic didn't show... Light is 15W LED from B&Q [1] on for 10 hr/day. White dome thing is a sensor that backs the light off if sun is bright enough (400 photons μmol s^-1 m^-2 which is rare at this time of the year). Note also reflective foil backing.



[1] I use ordinary domestic lamps, not 'grolights'. There are well rehearsed arguments about the relative merits of burpurple, full spectrum, or domestic lamps but this is not the place to air them.

That's a great little setup you've got going on! I shall have a look for a cheap lamp.

[Mr Bones]

When/if mine survive to the potting on stage can I plant them a little deeper than normal?

Mrs B always buries ours deeper when potting on, pretty much the same as tomatoes and peppers - just so the bottom leaves are about 1/2 inch above compost level.

[quanglewangle]

Oh dear QW, your Aubergines are looking very short and stumpy compared to my long, thin, wispy ones!
When/if mine survive to the potting on stage can I plant them a little deeper than normal? They are so very leggy already

Can't speak for deeper planting. As for general leggyness - more light needed:

Here is what the other pic didn't show... Light is 15W LED from B&Q [1] on for 10 hr/day. White dome thing is a sensor that backs the light off if sun is bright enough (400 photons μmol s^-1 m^-2 which is rare at this time of the year). Note also reflective foil backing.



[1] I use ordinary domestic lamps, not 'grolights'. There are well rehearsed arguments about the relative merits of burpurple, full spectrum, or domestic lamps but this is not the place to air them.

[peanut]

Aubergine seedlings sown beginning of January. Just about to take the scissors to them to leave four for growing on.

Oh dear QW, your Aubergines are looking very short and stumpy compared to my long, thin, wispy ones!
When/if mine survive to the potting on stage can I plant them a little deeper than normal? They are so very leggy already

[quanglewangle]

Aubergine seedlings sown beginning of January. Just about to take the scissors to them to leave four for growing on.

[peanut]

Hehehe!!
Aubergines rule!
Now I just need to successfully raise a single edible fruit!
I am a woman on an aubergine mission!

[Mr Bones]

Aubergines sown today
Moneymaker x 12
Black Beauty x 8
Early Long Purple (free with the magazine ) x 8