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Thorns on eggplant leaves are not uncommon. Their education causes bewilderment and questions among gardeners. After all, it is not known what this sign is connected with, and whether it is possible to use the fruits collected from such bushes. Therefore, it is worth understanding the reasons for the appearance of thorniness, in which types of culture it manifests itself to a greater extent, and what this means.
Spikes come in different sizes
Why do thorns appear on eggplant leaves?
Eggplant is an ancient vegetable crop. And it is precisely its wild-growing forms that the presence of thorns is inherent in. This is due to the protection of the plant from the attack of caterpillars, which can cause serious damage to the bushes.
Over time, increased interest in culture became the impetus for breeding new species. Breeding work was aimed at increasing the productivity of the crop, improving the consumer qualities of its fruits and reducing the level of spikes, which greatly simplifies care. However, even in modern varieties and hybrids, thorns can sometimes be seen. This is due to the predominance of the genes of the wild-growing form of culture. Otherwise, eggplants with thorns on the trunk are no different from other plants. Their fruits are completely edible and do not lose their taste.
Spiny scale
Eggplant belongs to the category of vegetable crops that need the formation of bushes. And the presence of spikes significantly complicates this process. Therefore, in order to simplify the task of choosing a variety, a scale of crop thorniness was developed. It lists all possible options for the presence of thorns. Therefore, when buying, you need to pay attention to the designations indicated in the characteristics of a particular variety.
Scale of existing eggplant species with spikes on leaves, calyx and stem in points:
- 0 – no spines;
- 1 – single soft on the cup;
- 2 – rough single on the calyx,
- 3 – rough single on the calyx, soft sparse on the plates;
- 4 – single rough on the calyx and leaves, sparse soft on the stem;
- 5 – average number of rough on the calyx, rare hard on the stem and plates;
- 6 – medium number of coarse on the calyx and plates, and rare hard on the stem;
- 7 – the average number of rough on all parts of the plant;
- 8 – often coarse on the calyx and moderately hard on the plates and stem;
- 9 – rough thick on all parts of the plant.
What types of eggplant have thorns on the leaves
There are several varieties and hybrids that are prone to thorns. Therefore, you should study them in advance in order to take this feature into account when caring for them.
Types of culture with thorns:
- Nutcracker. Early ripe hybrid form of culture. The first fruits ripen one and a half months after planting. They have a uniform purple color and accumulate bitterness. Therefore, before cooking, they need to be pre-soaked in salted water.
Nutcracker eggplants are rounded, reminiscent of barrels
- Ping pong. A hybrid distinguished by an unusual white fruit color. The height of its bushes reaches 60-70 cm. Suitable for growing indoors. Spines are present on the leaves and calyx in moderation. The growing season of the hybrid is 110 days.
There are many seeds in the fruits of Ping-Pong
- Purple miracle. Hybrid early-ripening form with rare thorns. Suitable for growing in open and protected ground. The growing season after planting seedlings is 90-100 days. The yield reaches 7-8 kg per 1 square. m. Eggplant, smooth, cylindrical, dark purple color. The crop is suitable for long-term storage and tolerates transportation well.
Violet wonder has increased stamina
- Hippopotamus. Mid-season hybrid, high yield. The growing season is 110-112 days. Rare thorns are sometimes present on the leaves. Fruits weighing 250-300 g, pear-shaped. The pulp is dense without voids, yellowish-white in color. When ripe, the peel becomes a rich purple hue, shiny.
Hippo yield is 2,5-6 kg per bush
- Madonna. Early maturing variety with rare thorns. Forms medium-sized fruits, oval-curved shape. The pulp is loose, greenish in color. The average weight of eggplant is 300 g. The yield of the Madonna variety reaches 17,3 kg per 1 sq. m. There is no bitterness in the fruits. The variety is excellent for conservation.
Madonna has extended fruiting
- Universal 6. An old time-tested variety of culture, which also sometimes has thorns on the leaves. It was entered into the State Register back in 1966 and still does not lose its relevance. The variety is medium early, drought-resistant. Suitable for outdoor and greenhouse cultivation. The height of the bushes reaches 60 cm. Eggplants are elongated club-shaped, weighing about 200 g. When ripe, they become a uniform purple hue. The pulp is whitish, dense, with small seeds, without bitterness.
Universal 6 has excellent taste
Conclusion
Knowing that the thorns on eggplant leaves do not affect the productivity of the variety and its taste, you can be sure that if all the rules of care are followed, it is easy to get a quality crop. But when choosing a species with thorns, you need to take precautions so as not to injure your hands. Otherwise, these plants will not cause much trouble to the gardener.
