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It is not always possible to build a greenhouse on your site, or it turns out to be already packed with other plants, so there is simply nowhere to plant eggplants. At such moments, you are probably feverishly sorting through in your memory which varieties are suitable for open ground, because it is very difficult to refuse this vegetable. The topic of this article is eggplant varieties for open ground and how to choose seeds for planting.
Criteria for selecting varieties for soil
The best seeds for planting outdoors are early. The fact is that eggplants are extremely vulnerable to fungal microflora, the Colorado potato beetle, aphids, whiteflies, which means that you need to get a crop as early as possible so as not to get to the peak of pest activity. That is why give preference, perhaps less productive, but early maturing varieties.
For these purposes, medium-sized eggplant varieties are excellent, so that the bushes do not exceed 55-65 cm in height, however, they branch well. The spreading of bushes is one of the most important parameters, since it affects the number of fruits that can be set on one plant.
Remember that the best seeds will be from trusted manufacturers; by the time of purchase, they will be disinfected and treated for fungal microflora. However, you should repeat the procedure at home to invigorate the seeds before planting. Never use seed from diseased plants, and do not try to grow greenhouse varieties in the open field.
Video “Eggplant in the open field”
How to care for eggplant in the open field is described in detail in the video.
Overview of the best varieties
Eggplant varieties for open ground are numerous not only in terms of ripening, but also in the shape and color of the fruit. It should be understood that modern breeding annually produces several dozen new hybrids that not only combine the vegetative advantages of the “parents”, but at the same time combine their color, shape and taste.
The best indicators of germination, as well as the rate of ripening of the crop, are shown by the variety “Dwarf Early”. It belongs to the number of table subspecies, with excellent taste, without unpleasant bitterness. He will bring his first harvest 90-95 days after the emergence of sprouts, which makes him the leader in the harvest race. Eggplant “Dwarf early” have round, somewhat pear-shaped fruits with a small weight – about 200 grams each. However, this more than pays off with how many healthy ovaries the bush gives.
Slightly inferior to “Dwarf” in the speed of ripening eggplant varieties “Gribovsky”, it takes him about 100-105 days. Vegetables of this variety are characteristic pear-shaped, rich purple in color. The bushes are medium tall, spreading, but the shoots are thin, so it is important to harvest quickly so as not to break the plant. The taste qualities of “Gribovsky” are excellent, the flesh is white and elastic. In the same time category in terms of ripening speed, there are varieties “Krasnodarsky Skorospely” and “Shakhter” – it takes 110-120 days to complete formation.
Eggplant subspecies “Spherical”, as the name implies, have rounded fruit, purple in color, weighing up to 300-400 grams. The bushes are well branched, however, the fruitfulness is average, the plant requires regular pinching. Despite the fact that “Spherical” does not have bitterness, their pulp is very hard, therefore, it requires additional processing during the cooking process. However, this also makes them very convenient for transportation.
Another representative of early ripe eggplant is Alekseevsky. The plant has a medium-high, branched bush up to 70 centimeters. Fruits are purple, oblong, but at the same time quite light up to 150 grams. The main advantage of the species is the tender pulp without bitterness.
The best varieties of mid-ripening eggplant are not far behind their early-ripening comrades in the beds. They have time to mature before the start of the season for the development of fungal microflora. These include eggplant “Donskoy”. It has large, elongated, pear-shaped fruits with a mass of about 350-400 grams. The plant grows into a powerful upright bush, rarely requiring a garter or additional support. For 130-140 days, the vegetable manages to form 3-4 fruits.
“Simferopolsky” has time to ripen in 120-125 days. Depending on climatic conditions and soil type, the fruits take on a different shape – sometimes they are oval, and sometimes, on the contrary, shortened, cylindrical. Infructescences stand out as a bright spot against the background of the greenery of the bush – they are reddish, with a purple tint, the skin is glossy. It should be noted that among the mid-season varieties – this is the most productive.
“Krymsky” spends about 170 days on maturation. However, this is offset by large fruits, weighing up to 450-500 grams. Seed fruit of a rich purple color, with a glossy skin, the shape is often elongated, oval-pear-shaped. Unlike previous varieties, the pulp of “Krymsky” is loose, but without bitterness.
One of the most resistant varieties to external threats is, of course, “Robin Hood”. Bushes grow up to 100 centimeters, sprawling, bearing many seedlings, weighing about 300-400 grams. Robin Hood intrigues with the color of the fruit – they are richly lilac, pear-shaped.
The list of “Best Eggplant Varieties” cannot do without the “Diamond” eggplant. It is characterized by increased productivity – up to 8 kilograms per square meter! The plant has a low bush up to 56-60 centimeters, quite compact, it is even surprising that so many fruits ripen on it. Seed fruit are dark purple, oblong, rarely longer than 18-20 centimeters. Their mass can confuse – only 160-170 grams, but given the number of fruits on one bush, these are trifles. Eggplant pulp is pale green in color, elastic, without bitterness.
Video “Growing eggplant”
In this video, experienced gardeners reveal the secrets of successful eggplant cultivation.
