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Eggplant has been known to man for more than 1,5 thousand years. Asia is considered its homeland, it was there that they first began to cultivate it. In botany, the plant itself is considered herbaceous, and its fruit is a berry, however, in cooking it is recognized as a vegetable. Eggplant is distinguished by its thermophilicity, therefore, in the middle latitudes it is often grown in greenhouses, however, thanks to breeders and in open ground conditions, you can get a decent harvest. It should be noted that different varieties of eggplant are characterized not only by their adaptability to relatively harsh climatic conditions, but also by the variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. The choice of a particular variety depends on the growing conditions and the preferences of the gardener.
The best greenhouse varieties
When growing eggplants in a greenhouse, it is important to take into account the height of the variety. Thus, the height of the bush can reach 2,5 m, which requires a larger planting area and careful care of the plant. Miniature bushes 40 cm high are much easier to grow, however, short stature affects eggplant yields. To select the optimal variety, options are given with the best taste, excellent yield and various heights of the bush.
Diamond
A low-growing variety of eggplant with a bush height of 45-55 cm. The recommended planting density in a greenhouse is 3-4 pieces / m2. Sowing seeds for seedlings is preferably carried out in mid-March, picking into the ground no earlier than May 20. The ripening of the vegetable occurs 110-150 days after the germination of seedlings.
The fruit of the Almaz variety is represented by a cylindrical shape with a dark purple peel, has a length of 14-18 cm, weight 120-160 gr. Eggplant pulp is dense, greenish, does not contain bitterness, suitable for canning. You can visually evaluate this vegetable in the photo.
A distinctive feature of Almaz eggplant is a guaranteed yield of 8 kg/m2.
Robin Hood
An early maturing variety. The height of the bush is from 70 to 100 cm. The period from planting to fruiting is 90-120 days. The best time for sowing seeds for seedlings is the beginning of March, it is recommended to pick in a greenhouse at the end of May – mid-June. Planting density in the greenhouse should not exceed 2,5-3 pcs/m2.
Lilac-colored vegetable, up to 21 cm long, pear-shaped. The average fruit weight is 300 gr. The palatability of the variety is high.
Goliath F1
Mid-early ripening hybrid, with a bush height of 170 to 250 cm. It is grown exclusively in greenhouses. The frequency of picking seedlings should not exceed 2 bushes per 1 m2 soil. Fruiting occurs after 118-125 days from sowing.
The fruit of the Goliath F1 variety has a pear shape and a dark purple peel. Its length reaches 27 cm, diameter up to 19 cm, the weight of such an eggplant is from 650 to 1100 gr. The flesh of the vegetable is dense, greenish. Productivity is high and reaches 18 kg/m2. Goliath F1 captured in photo.
It is worth noting that all varieties are suitable for a greenhouse, since high humidity and temperature are the optimal environment for crop growth. At the same time, it is believed that hybrids are the most hardy, productive and have the best taste.
Planting conditions and rules for growing eggplant in a greenhouse are shown in the video:
Varieties for open ground
Only adapted varieties that are resistant to possible adverse temperature conditions can successfully grow and bear fruit on open ground.
Bourgeois F1
Early ripe hybrid. From the day of seed germination to fruiting, 105 days pass. Despite the fact that the variety is intended for unprotected soil, it can be used to get a fairly early harvest. To do this, you can plant seedlings in mid-March and dive it from the end of May to June. With early planting, seedlings must be protected with a temporary film cover. The optimal planting pattern for this eggplant variety is 3-4 bushes per 1 m2.
Bourgeois F1 have a spherical shape, dark purple skin color (photo). The average fruit diameter is 10 cm, its weight is about 300 g. The flesh of the vegetable is greenish, without a bitter aftertaste. Productivity reaches 5 kg/m2.
Marathon runners
Early ripe variety for planting in open ground. From the day of sowing seeds to the day of harvesting, no more than 105 days pass. Most often grown by seedlings, with sowing seeds in mid-March and picking seedlings at the end of May.
Eggplant Marathon is represented by a cylindrical shape with a dark purple skin color. The length of such a vegetable reaches 35 cm, and the weight is about 400-600 g. The eggplant pulp is white, dense, and does not contain bitterness. Crop yield up to 6 kg/m2. Below is a photo of the Marathonets variety.
Epic F1
Early ripe eggplant hybrid. It takes no more than 65 days to mature. The bush of the plant is small, up to 90 cm high, slightly sprawling, which allows planting seedlings in the amount of 4 bushes per 1 m2 of the soil.
Eggplants are very beautiful purple-black in color, oval conical in shape (photo). The length of such fruits reaches 21 cm, diameter 10 cm. The average weight of one vegetable is 220-230 g. The pulp of the vegetable is white, dense. The yield of the variety does not exceed 6 kg / m2.
In addition to the above varieties, Ermin F1, Berinda, Vera, Giselle, Lilac fog and some others are suitable for planting in open ground. Recommendations on how to properly plant eggplant in open ground are shown in the video:
Popular varieties
In addition to those described above, other productive eggplant varieties are also popular, the taste qualities of which are appreciated by consumers:
King of the North F1
Early ripe hybrid (ripening period 100 days). It has good adaptability to low temperatures and is excellent for middle and northern latitudes. A bush up to 40 cm high, while it has a good yield of up to 15 kg / m2.
Eggplants are elongated-cylindrical, bright purple (below is a photo). The average length of the fruit is 25-30 cm, however, there are vegetables up to 40 cm long. The pulp of the fruits of this variety is white, very tasty and contains absolutely no bitterness, perfect for cooking and canning.
Marzipan F1
Mid-season hybrid, which is particularly resistant to drought, high and low temperatures, suitable for growing in the northern regions. Can be grown in greenhouses, greenhouses, open areas. The first crop of eggplants of this variety will delight the owner within 120 days after the seeds are sown.
Marzipan F1 fruits are pear-shaped with a dark purple skin. Their length is not more than 15 cm, diameter is 7-8 cm. Eggplants are quite massive, their weight sometimes exceeds 1 kg. A distinctive feature of the variety is a surprisingly tasty pulp with a sweetish aftertaste of creamy white color.
Dolphin
Mid-early variety of eggplant, which requires 120-130 days to ripen. The bush is vigorous, up to 2 meters high, requires a mandatory garter. The crop is grown exclusively in a greenhouse with a planting scheme of no more than 3 bushes per meter.
The fruits of the Dolphin variety are saber-shaped, lilac-white in color. The length of such eggplants reaches 45 cm, weight is about 450 g. The flesh is greenish, tasty, quite dense. Productivity reaches 9 kg/m2.
The popularity of varieties is due, first of all, to excellent taste and the success of gardeners in growing crops. You can get acquainted with other popular eggplants on the video:
High-yielding varieties
Productivity is the main parameter when choosing a variety for many gardeners. This is especially true for the choice of eggplants, which are grown for harvesting for the winter. So, judging by the reviews of gardeners, the most fruitful include:
Beyonce F1
The hybrid has a high yield and early ripening. Grown outdoors and in greenhouses. The period from the moment of sowing seeds to fruiting is 105 days. Sowing seeds is recommended in May. The plant is medium bushy and can be planted in 4-6 pcs/m2.
The fruit is pear-shaped, purple. The average weight of an eggplant is 300 g. Its flesh is white with a pleasant, sweetish taste. The peculiarity of the variety lies in the record yield – up to 27 kg / m2.
Thelma F1
The hybrid is an early ripe representative of the Dutch selection. Ripens 102-105 days after sowing seeds. The plant is quite tall, bushy. Can be planted in open or protected ground with a frequency of 4-6 pcs/m2. The best time for sowing seeds is May.
The fruits are pear-shaped, with a dark purple peel. Their length reaches 25 cm, weight is about 260 g. The pulp is dense, greenish. The yield of Telma F1 variety reaches 20 kg/m2.
Amazing Varieties
Not every gardener knows what amazing eggplant varieties are offered by modern selection. They are not only tasty and very healthy, but also exceptionally cute:
Swan
Mid-season eggplant, suitable for growing in open areas and greenhouses. The bush is compact, relatively undersized up to 70 cm, so 1 m2 soil it is recommended to plant 4-6 plants. The ripening period of the vegetable is 100-105 days after sowing the seed. The variety has a good yield up to 18 kg/m2.
Eggplants of the Swan variety are cylindrical in shape and white (sometimes yellow) in color. The length of the vegetable reaches 22 cm, weight 200-240 g. The flesh is very white, tender, without a taste of bitterness. You can evaluate the external qualities of the variety in the photo below.
Piglet
Mid-season variety, ripens in 108 days after sowing seeds. Grown exclusively in a greenhouse. The yield is low – up to 6 kg / m2.
Piglet eggplants are spherical in shape and light purple in color. The weight of one fruit reaches 350 g. The pulp of the vegetable is white.
Sailor
Mid-season eggplant with original color. Ripens in 102-105 days after sowing seeds. Suitable for open and protected ground. The plant is compact, up to 75 cm high. The crop yield reaches 10 kg/m2.
Eggplant Matrosik white with longitudinal lilac stripes. The shape of the vegetable is oval-pear-shaped. Fruit length up to 17 cm, weight 250-400g.
Conclusion
It is worth noting that eggplant is represented by such a wide range of varieties that you can choose a culture that will be adapted even to growth in a pot, which allows it to be grown indoors. An example of such “apartment” varieties are Striped and Medallion.
To get an early, rich harvest of eggplant, it is necessary to sow the seeds in a timely and correct manner and follow the rules for growing crops, which can be found in detail in the video:
Eggplant in domestic latitudes is not as popular as, for example, tomato or cucumber. However, the culture deserves special attention, since it is a natural source of potassium salts and other vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the human body. No wonder this unique vegetable is called the “source of longevity”, which can be successfully grown in your own garden.