Greenhouse Eggplant - Key Growing Information
CULTURE: Start seed in flats or plugs 6–8 weeks before transplanting. Keep the soil steadily between 80 and 90°F (27–32°C) until emergence, then 70°F (21°C). Once true leaves form, move seedlings into cells or soil blocks; 4" blocks are standard. After potting up, grow at 66–72°F (19–22°C) by day and 64–66°F (18–19°C) at night. Feed as needed with a complete nutrient solution or similar (target EC 2.5–3.5 and pH 5.5) to keep plants deep green and healthy. Move plants into the greenhouse at 10–12" tall, spacing them 1' apart in 2'-wide rows with 3' between rows. Grow 2–4 stems per plant for about 5–8 stems per square meter (9 sq. ft.).
TRELLISING: Prune to 2–4 stems and train them up strings as with greenhouse tomatoes. In short-season areas, a basket-weave system without pruning gives the most production.
HARVEST: Pick at the size you want; baby eggplant is usually about 1/2 lb. and mini eggplant about 1/4 lb.
DISEASES AND PESTS: Rotate crops or use fresh growing media to reduce soilborne disease. Releasing beneficial insects on a regular schedule helps keep pests in check.
DAYS TO MATURITY: Counted from transplanting.
TRANSPLANTS: About 900 transplants per 1,000 seeds.
SEED SPECS: About 5,600–7,500 seeds per oz. (average 6,500).
PACKET: 25 seeds per packet.
MINI: Mini packet: 10 seeds.
