Do aubegines require staking/support?

[ddiogyn]

Hallo,

Do aubergines require staking for support? If so, how far away from the stem, and, will it damage the roots?

[rustylady]

Found this link for you, as I've never grown aubergines myself. Hope you're not going to get all stressy about them like you did your courgettes. Aubergine | RHS Gardening

[Bramble_killer]

Mine don't. They grow to a foot or maybe a bit more and then they start flowering and fruit. They do need a lot of warmth and probably won't do so well outside.

I had more than enough last year but many weren't ripe when it started getting cold.

[northepaul]

OOh thanks for that Rustly Lady, and Bramble, I have two calliope plants doing very well in my conservatory, and wondered if the same thing. Glad to hear that they may produce some fruit too.

[ddiogyn]

@Rustylady

meeYOW! I'm indifferent towards the aubergine - it was given to me, and i don't particularly care for the vegetable. The courgettes, however, i've known since they were little seeds!

@Bramble

Did you remove the growing tips of your plants once they'd reached 12in and limit each plant to 5/6 fruit (per Rustylady's helpful link)? Mine is about 12 inches and shooting out a lot of 'armpit' shoots (haven't pinched out the tip, not sure if it'll continue to grow upward, may simply bush out).

[Bramble_killer]

you'll be lucky to get 5 or 6 fruits from each plant in the UK I think. I got enough but I grew 12 plants and got 2-4 ripe ones off each of them. You'll get more if you grow small round ones instead of the long ones. I have 6 of each kind and some of them are flowering now.

It's a tropical vegetable so will be hard to get right in a place with a short growing season.

But it's only my second year growing so some expert will be along to tell me how to get loads off each plant soon

[Patchninja]

I'm growing them for the first time this year in the GH. I got a "-plant pack - one ordinary, one white and one mini. They seem to be doing well, flowering and looking perky. I was amazed at how lovely they are. The flowers are spectacular! Even if you don't much like the fruit, grow them for the looks!

[rustylady]

@Rustylady

meeYOW! I'm indifferent towards the aubergine - it was given to me, and i don't particularly care for the vegetable. The courgettes, however, i've known since they were little seeds!

Sorry if you took my comment the wrong way - I didn't mean to be catty!!

[ddiogyn]

@Rustylady

Not at all!

[josie84]

Last year mine needed support as the aubergines grew as the stem was struggling with the weight. I just pushed a garden cane down into the soil right next to the stem and tied the two together! Most likely not the correct technique but I didn't find it damaged the plant.