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Eggplants are traditionally considered a warm climate-loving southern vegetable. But through the efforts of breeders, this plant has become universal – now it can be planted not only in the south, but also in central Our Country. Seeds of hybrids are specially hardened, they are perfectly prepared for the “surprises” of the weather and various diseases. Varietal crops are weaker, they need warmth, frequent watering and protection from diseases.
To determine the best varieties of eggplant and figure out which seeds are preferable to buy, you need to familiarize yourself with all the types of these mysterious plants and read the reviews of experienced gardeners.
What are the modern “blue”
Before you buy eggplant seeds, you need to decide where they will be planted, for what purpose they will be used, and answer a few more important questions. All in all, grade eggplants are divided according to such criteria:
- Terms of maturation: early-ripening, mid-ripening and late varieties. In addition to them, a precocious subspecies is separately distinguished – these are vegetables that ripen in an extremely short time. The date of planting seeds depends on the timing of ripening.
- Growing method: heated greenhouse, greenhouse, open ground.
- Productivity – the number of fruits collected from one square meter of soil.
- Stability – to diseases, temperature extremes, transplantation and other adverse conditions.
- Fruit type. This category includes the color of eggplant, their size, weight, shape, taste.
- Type of bushes. For example, low-growing but branched varieties are more suitable for outdoor cultivation. They do not need to be tied up, they are not afraid of the wind, and from the side branches you can harvest quite a decent crop. For greenhouses, you can buy seeds of tall varieties – they are very productive.
- Varieties or hybrids. Like all vegetable crops, eggplants are divided into varietal and hybrid.
More recently, in Our Country they did not know about the existence of any other types of eggplant, except for purple oblong-shaped fruits with a bitter taste. Modern varieties and hybrids are so diverse that it is sometimes almost impossible to choose the best varieties of eggplant. At least in each of the listed categories there are favorites, it is worth talking about them in more detail.
Greenhouse varieties
For high yields, eggplant is best grown in a heifer or greenhouse. Still, this way you can get the earliest vegetables and more effectively protect plants from diseases and rot.
A heat-loving vegetable in a greenhouse feels much more comfortable. In closed ground, early-ripening and medium varieties and hybrids are often grown. It is better for beginners to prefer the seeds of undersized eggplants, they do not need to be tied up and formed into bushes. Experienced gardeners can choose taller varieties that need to be able to stepson and tie up.
“Bagira”
This variety does not require a lot of space – the seeds can be planted in small greenhouses, choosing shallow containers for the substrate. Eggplant bushes “Bagheera” are low, compact, have dense foliage.
The fruits grow oval, have a dark purple color and a glossy skin. Eggplants of this variety do not taste bitter at all, they have tender flesh. The fruits are suitable for sale and transportation, as they have a long shelf life. The mass of one vegetable reaches 330 grams, and the yield is up to 12 kg per square meter. Another plus of the Bagheera variety is resistance to most diseases characteristic of this crop.
“Baikal F1”
The representative of hybrids is excellent for growing indoors. The bushes of the plant reach a height of 1,2 meters and give good yields (up to 8 kgm²). Ripe fruits are dark purple in color and pear-shaped, their surface is glossy.
Eggplant pulp has a greenish tint and a slightly increased density. This variety is excellent for canning, pickling and cooking. Eggplant caviar “Baikal F1” is especially tasty.
The hybrid is absolutely unpretentious – the plant does not require special care, except for watering and top dressing, the vegetable does not need anything. In addition, eggplant is resistant to diseases and has an average ripening time (about 110 days).
“Fabina F1”
The hybrid belongs to the ultra-early, so it is perfect for growing in a heated greenhouse or greenhouse. The plant grows to medium height, semi-spreading bushes. The fruits are medium in size (180-210 grams) and dark purple in color, with a glossy sheen.
The pulp of this variety has a mild mushroom flavor and aroma, which makes it possible to cook interesting dishes from eggplant, including according to foreign recipes.
Vegetables are distinguished by good keeping quality, they tolerate transportation well, therefore they can be successfully grown for sale. The plant is resistant to the most dangerous eggplant diseases – spider mites and verticillium. The yield of the hybrid reaches 7 kg per square meter, and ripening occurs already on the 70th day after planting.
Open field eggplants
Numerous reviews of experienced gardeners suggest that eggplants can be successfully grown on open ground. For good yields, it is necessary to choose varieties resistant to temperature fluctuations and diseases.
Therefore, it is better to prefer, albeit less productive, but more early-ripening varieties with short ripening periods. An important factor in choosing seeds for soil is the spreading of bushes; many ovaries appear on the side branches, which increases productivity. And in height, the bushes should be small – up to 65 cm.
Gribovsky
One of the early ripening varieties is eggplant for open ground “Gribovsky”. It is famous for its excellent taste – the flesh of the vegetable is white, without bitterness, with a rich eggplant aroma. The first fruits can be obtained already on the 100th day after planting the seeds in the ground.
Eggplants of this variety have a slightly pear-shaped shape and a traditional dark purple hue. Bushes, as needed, of medium height and good spreading. Thin twigs are considered a nuance of this species – mature vegetables must be plucked without delay, otherwise they can break the shoots.
“Globular”
One of the most interesting varieties is the Spherical eggplant. It is large and round in shape. The mass of vegetables of this variety reaches 350-400 grams. The fruits are great for stuffing, have firm flesh, and therefore require heat treatment. But the vegetable is not bitter at all and tolerates transportation perfectly.
The bushes of this eggplant are highly branched, but in order for the ovary to appear on them, the shoots must be regularly pinched.
“Simferopol”
Mid-season varieties are no less in demand for planting in open ground, one of which is the Simferopolsky eggplant. The first vegetables of this variety can be obtained on the 125th day after planting.
The shape of the fruit largely depends on the climatic characteristics of the region and the type of soil; eggplants can be oval or cylindrical. Ripe eggplants stand out clearly against the background of bright green foliage, they have a purple hue, and their peel shines glossy in the sun.
Variety “Simferopolsky” is considered the most productive of the existing mid-ripening eggplants.
Harvest varieties
Yield is a very important factor for any host. After all, it depends on this how many fruits will come out of the bush, and whether they will be enough for the needs of the family. It is believed that hybrids have the highest yield. But there are several varieties that give large and frequent fruits.
“Sancho Panza”
One of the most productive varieties is the mid-season “Sancho Panza”. These eggplants should be planted as seedlings, not seeds. They are equally good for heated, conventional greenhouses and open ground.
Vegetables grow very large – up to 700 grams, and have a spherical shape. One such eggplant will be enough to feed a whole family. The fruits of this variety are especially tasty in canned form; after processing, the pulp retains an excellent taste and aroma.
“Annette F1”
The world-famous Annette F1 hybrid has the highest yield. A feature of this eggplant is the continuous creation of ovaries – the fruits can be harvested until the first frost.
The hybrid belongs to the mid-season, so it should not be planted in open ground too early. Although the eggplant “Annette F1” is quite resistant to various diseases and even to some insects.
Vegetables grow large, their weight often reaches 400 grams, the color is standard – dark purple with a sheen. For high yields, the hybrid needs proper care and constant watering.
“Bibo F1”
A hybrid with a funny name brings unusual fruits – an elongated oval shape and absolutely white color. The size of eggplants is small – 200-230 grams, but they are tied in bunches, which allows you to get quite high yields. Bushes do not grow low, often their height reaches 90 cm, so they need to be tied up.
The pulp of eggplant “Bibo F1” is tender, without bitterness. Vegetables are great for preparing various dishes and salads, as well as for canning.
unusual eggplant
Selection does not stand still, so today you can find not only the usual purple eggplants. They are white, red, green, yellow and even striped. All this casts doubt on the usual name of this vegetable – to call it “blue” now it’s just not possible to turn your tongue.
Such exotic shades are created not only to please the eye. Each of the multi-colored varieties has its own unique taste, which allows you to use vegetables for a variety of dishes and come up with new ones.
After purple, the most common varieties of white eggplants are considered. They are perfectly acclimatized to local weather conditions, and are often found in the markets and gardens of the country.
“Taste of Mushrooms”
An unusual variety was bred by domestic breeders and called it “The Taste of Mushrooms”. This name is directly related to the taste characteristics of the vegetable, because when you eat it, it seems that these are champignons.
The pulp of this variety, like all white eggplants, does not have seeds, it is very tender and fragrant. The tenderness of the eggplant does not prevent it from being one of the most “keeping” varieties, excellent for transportation and storage.
The fruits grow medium in size – 200-250 grams and have a milky white hue.
Eggplants “Taste of mushrooms” can be planted both in the greenhouse and in open ground. The first fruits will appear already on the 95th-100th day after planting, which puts the variety in the rank of early ripening.
“Icicle”
Another reason for the pride of breeders is the Icicle eggplant. It belongs to the mid-season, and therefore is suitable for both greenhouses and open garden plots. The first vegetables appear on the 110-116th day after sowing the seeds.
Vegetables have the shape of an icicle – elongated and oblong, and their color is snow-white.
The taste characteristics of an unusual eggplant are at their best, it is perfectly cooked, pickled and preserved.
“Pink flamingo”
An unusual variety of lilac eggplant – “Pink Flamingo”. The plant belongs to medium-early and very tall. The length of its stem often reaches 180 cm. The ovaries are formed in bunches, each of which grows 3-5 eggplants.
The advantage of the variety is its exotic appearance – the fruits of its elongated shape have a bright pink-lilac hue. Their flesh is white, without bitterness and stones. The mass of one fruit can reach 400 grams.
“Emerald”
One of the most unusual shades for a ripe eggplant is green. This is the color of the vegetable variety “Emerald”. It is considered early ripe, grown both in the greenhouse and in the open field.
The bushes of this variety are small, resistant to cold. The fruits grow in a cylindrical shape, their weight reaches 450 grams. The flesh is white with a creamy tint, absolutely no bitterness.
The indisputable advantage of the “Emerald” variety is its high yield.
What seeds to choose
Absolutely all existing eggplant varieties and hybrids have their strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, it is impossible to answer unequivocally which of them are the best. In order not to be disappointed in the summer, already in the winter you need to understand why the vegetables will be grown, where they can be planted and what kind of care can be provided.
It doesn’t matter which varieties or hybrids the owner eventually chooses to plant, it is more important how he will grow them.
