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Eggplant is an unsurpassed vegetable. Contains a large amount of proteins, minerals and fiber. Therefore, it is considered a dietary product and is valued for its taste. Eggplants were recognized by professionals much later than other vegetables. Wild plant species are found in India, South Asia and the Middle East. The scientific name of eggplant is dark-fruited nightshade, the popular one is blue.
Although this name is now not entirely appropriate. Currently, eggplant is known throughout the world and is found in such colors that it is inappropriate to call it blue. New varieties are constantly emerging, providing ever greater nutritional value. Therefore, it is still better to choose a high-yielding eggplant variety among modern species. This is easily explained by the fact that breeders are constantly working to improve varieties. Each new species surpasses the previous ones in many ways. The main varieties of eggplant differ in:
- color (from white and black to striped);
- form;
- bush size;
- maturity dates;
- taste;
- disease resistance.
In terms of maturation, people from the south are divided into:
- early ripe;
- mid-season;
- late-ripening.
If a decision is made to grow a healthy vegetable, then you should first decide on the desired harvest time. In the open field, there are more difficulties during the ripening period of vegetables. Elite varieties are whimsical to the conditions and demanding care. If the weather does not work out or knowledge fails, then you can be left without a good result. Yield is affected by:
- Any temperature fluctuation ambient air. A sharp increase or decrease leads to the fall of flowers and ovaries. 25 – 27 ° C are considered optimal indicators. Negative temperature and prolonged decrease causes the death of plants. Below +15 °C Seeds do not germinate at all.
- Light intensity. In cloudy weather, eggplant growth slows down. Severe sunburns are no less harmful.
- Transplantation. Eggplant does not tolerate transplanting well. Any damage to the roots leads to a decrease in survival, weakening of the plant.
- Density of landing. Thickened seedlings of eggplant grow slowly, form small fruits.
- Soil Composition. It is advisable to plant on light soils, fertilize the garden well.
But, for beginner gardeners and those who are going to grow eggplant for the first time, there are the most unpretentious and productive varieties. Very convenient species that are suitable for greenhouses and open ground at the same time.
Eggplant early varieties
Early ripe vegetables are good for growing in greenhouses. In open ground they give a stable crop at a favorable temperature. Therefore, they are suitable for regions with a warm climate. Beneficial for areas with unstable temperatures. Early ripening makes it possible to get a crop before the cold weather. What varieties deserve attention?
“Alekseevsky”
Suitable for open and closed ground. The form is classic for lovers of dark purple color. By weight, it is considered an average eggplant. An adult fetus gains up to 150 g, has no bitterness.
The ripening period is up to 130 days. Low-growing (up to 60 cm in height), semi-spreading plant with good transportability and high yield. Sow seeds begin at the end of February, they are planted in the greenhouse in mid-May. For open ground, the best time is the beginning of June. Susceptible to gusts of wind, prefers a sheltered growing location. Resistant to viral diseases.
“Robin the Hood”
Early maturing excellent grade with high adaptive abilities. Fruits appear within 100 days after seed germination. Differs in good survival, it is considered a suitable variety for beginner gardeners. It can be grown even in unheated greenhouses without fear of losing the crop. It has a large fruit (up to 280g), pear-shaped and traditional lilac color, weak thorns. Mature bushes are undersized, sprawling, up to 90 cm high. Valued for unpretentiousness and taste. Suitable for all types of harvesting and can be planted in a vegetable garden with various growing conditions.
“King of the North F1”
The earliest high-yielding variety. 90-100 days after germination, you can harvest a rich harvest. Valued for qualities such as:
- good seed germination;
- cold resistance;
- excellent fruit setting.
Gives a stable yield even when the temperature drops. Fruits are black-purple in color, elongated cylindrical shape. Taste qualities are excellent. The absence of bitterness in the fruits allows you to cook dishes from them without soaking. It is planted in the garden by seedlings. There are no thorns on the stem, which also draws attention to this variety. In mid-May, seedlings are planted in greenhouses. For open ground, the time comes after the end of return frosts. It is recommended to grow a variety without film shelter. This will protect the plants from damage by spider mites. The bush is low, bears fruit until autumn frosts. The fruits are long, can touch the ground, so it is advisable to mulch the soil.
“Purple Wonder F1”
Early hybrid eggplant variety with high yield. The advantages of the variety include stable fruiting, resistance to diseases and damage by spider mites.
95-100 days after sowing, the fruits are ready for consumption. The bushes are compact, up to 120 cm high. The fruits are not too large, weighing up to 120-135 grams. The flesh is an unusual greenish-white color without bitterness. Suitable for growing in any type of soil. The planting density per 1 sq.m is only 5 plants. This will prevent thickening and increase fruiting.
“Balagur”
A new species – thornless carpal. One brush contains up to 7 fruits of the shape of an elongated ellipse with a thin skin. An unusual bright purple color gives the eggplant a unique charm.
The pulp is white, very tasty. An early ripe variety that will delight with amazing fruits as early as 85 days after germination. The bush gives up to 50-90 pieces of high-quality fruits with strict observance of agrotechnical requirements. It has good resistance against tobacco mosaic virus. The height of the bushes reaches 130 cm, the density is no more than 5 plants per 1 square meter. m. It is proposed for cultivation in open ground and greenhouses.
“Long Purple”
A very early variety, only 85-90 days pass before fruit ripeness from the moment of planting in the garden. The bush grows very quickly and compactly, the height is no more than 55 cm. The fruits are large, up to 300 g each. It is valued for excellent transportability, resistance to a number of pests and diseases, and retains its presentation for a long time.
We harvest in the middle of the season – medium varieties of eggplant
After harvesting from early varieties of eggplant, the turn of high-yielding medium varieties comes. The most popular and won the trust of gardeners are:
“Diamond”
Proven by many generations of eggplant lovers. High yielding, proven variety. Fruit picking begins 110-150 days after germination. The bushes are compact, not sprawling, the height of which is not more than 55 cm. The fruits are dark purple, weighing up to 165 g with a pleasant taste.
On average, it is 8 kg per 1 sq.m of area. Resistant to stolbur and mosaic but susceptible to wilt disease. Differs in good transportability that is highly appreciated at industrial cultivation. Suitable for automated fruit picking.
“Matrosik”
An alkaloid-free high-yielding variety that will decorate not only the garden, but also the festive table. Very beautiful fruits will compensate for all the efforts to grow a vegetable.
They have a striped original color and a round or pear-shaped shape. The mass of each reaches 400 grams. At the end of February, seeds are sown for seedlings. Planted in the garden no earlier than May 20. It tolerates summer heat well, gives a good harvest in early summer and at a later date. Valued for its good resistance to major eggplant diseases. Harvest carefully – the variety has thorns.
“Swan”
High-yielding mid-season eggplant with excellent taste and white fruit color. Harvest begins 100 days after mass seed germination.
Cultivated in greenhouses and open ground. Bushes are low erect. The plant easily withstands heat, is resistant to diseases and major eggplant pests. The fruits are white with soft pulp. The highlight of the variety is the mild mushroom flavor of the fruit. Differs in high productivity. Up to 18 kg of eggplants are obtained from one square meter. Seeds are sown in mid-March, seedlings are transplanted into the garden after 70 days. Planting density is normal – no more than 5 plants per square meter.
“Striped Flight”
Mid-season variety, high-yielding with an extraordinary name. Suitable for sowing in open ground and greenhouse, even unheated. The choice depends on preference and climatic conditions. The variegated color of ripe fruits adorns the beds and the dining table. Resistant to changes in weather conditions, valued for high fruit set in all conditions. The pulp is tender without voids and bitterness, suitable for freezing and drying. Transport resistant.
Harvest at the end of the season
Late varieties delight gardeners most strongly. Indeed, at the end of summer, many vegetables have already finished fruiting, weather conditions are deteriorating. And the most late-ripening eggplants supply a rich set of vitamins, proteins and minerals to the table. What varieties deserve attention?
“Black Beauty late”
Gives a high yield 130 days after planting. The bush is low, sprawling. The fruits are original pear-shaped, black-purple. Very large, the weight of one eggplant reaches 900 g. It tolerates adverse weather conditions well.
“Sophia”
Breeder’s novelty. Late, gives a high yield in 130-145 days. Large fruits have the shape of a pear of dark purple color. The weight of each reaches 700-800 g, the pulp is of good taste, light. It resists bad weather and the usual diseases of eggplant. Suitable for planting in an open garden and greenhouse cultivation. In addition to the well-known eggplants, many growers plant varieties with an amazing fruit shape in their garden:
- round;
- saber;
- oval;
- egg-shaped
- cylindrical.
Eggplants with fruits of unusual color decorate the garden.
A variety of shades of fruits ranging from white to dark purple, pleasing to the eye during the season. Getting a high yield of pink, red, yellow or striped eggplant is the pride of every gardener.
Conclusion
When choosing a variety, it is worth considering all the nuances and adhere to the recommendations on eggplant farming.