The Number Of Days It Takes An Eggplant To Grow From A Bloom?

Eggplants can take anywhere from 65 to 100 days to grow from seed to harvest. The first stage of eggplant growth is the seed stage, which takes about 7-10 days. This phase marks the beginning of the aubergine plant life cycle and requires proper care during this delicate stage. A maximum timeframe may reach 120 days, including various stages such as seed germination, seedling growth, vegetative growth, flowering, and fruiting.

Eggplants grow 18 to 36 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide, producing 3 to 4 well-developed fruits weighing up to 2 pounds each. They require a long growing season of 100 to 140 warm days. Once eggplant plants flower, it takes around one to two weeks for the fruits to fully mature. After flowering, developing fully mature fruits will take a week or two. Fruits are the most tender and sweet when they are young.

When it’s hot (65 or above at night and 85 or above during the day), the flower can go to harvestable fruit within a week for small fruited eggplants. Eggplants can be harvested as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. When planting transplants, allow 8-10 weeks to grow the plant. Germinate the seeds at 80ºF until the seed root emerges, then plant the seeds in sterile seeding.

It typically takes 100 to 120 days from seed to harvest, depending on weather and variety. If you transplant, it typically takes 60 to 85 days. Large, shiny, almost black eggplants appear about 85 days after setting out plants. Midsized “Dancer” eggplants feature pinkish-purple, but natural light may need help in the North. Eggplant seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days, depending on the heat, moisture provided, and moisture content and age.

How to know if an eggplant flower is pollinated?

Eggplant flowers contain pollen-producing anthers and pollen-receiving pistils, which require minimal air movement to transfer pollen. However, eggplant pollination issues can still occur. To address this, gardeners can plant a garden that attracts pollinators, increase air circulation, or hand transfer pollen. This is a simple method that can be done by lightly tapping the flower daily during the blooming season, 70 to 90 days post-germination. Alternatively, a delicate brush or soft cotton swab can be used to transfer pollen.

The ideal time for hand pollination is between 6 and 11 a. m., but can be done in the afternoon. The success of hand pollination is when the flower closes but does not fall from the plant, indicating the presence of a tiny eggplant. If this seems too complicated, planting flowers that attract bees can increase pollination. In greenhouses, pollination may be hindered by the lack of air currents and pollinators.

Setting a fan to lightly blow through the crop can increase the chances of pollination. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.

Is eggplant a slow growing plant?

Starting eggplant seeds late in the growing season is recommended due to their quick growth and ability to withstand warm conditions. A split-season planting plan can allow for planting in midsummer for a fall crop, and seedlings can be set out during cloudy weather. To avoid eggplant flea beetles, grow the plants on a raised table in dark-colored nursery pots for as long as possible. These containers help prevent damage and warm roots on sunny days. Pot up the seedlings as they grow, and set them out when their roots fill a 4-inch pot and the plants are quite stocky. This will help prevent the pest from consuming the eggplant plant.

What does an overwatered eggplant look like?

Insufficient irrigation can result in leaf wilting, dry soil, and yellow foliage. Conversely, excessive irrigation can lead to root rot, a mushy root structure, and yellow or wilted leaves despite moist soil.

How to grow eggplant faster?

Eggplants thrive in warm soil, which can be accelerated by laying black plastic over the soil or mulching with dark compost. The first few flowers may drop off, but the remaining ones yield a single fruit. Eggplant flowers are self-pollinating, so hand-pollination can help increase production. To improve fruit set, use an electric toothbrush to vibrate the stems. Daily fruit harvesting increases fruit set. During flowering and fruit development, provide the plants with 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or supplemental irrigation.

Should I pinch off first eggplant flowers?

In order to encourage plant growth, it is advisable to prioritise the development of sturdy stalks and deep roots, rather than focusing on the immediate production of new fruit. New blossoms will emerge in approximately six weeks, which will allow the plant to support the development of large, healthy fruits. As the plant grows, remove leaves from the lower portions, pinching them close to the stem’s base. The practice of regular pruning facilitates the circulation of air and light through the plant’s canopy, thereby promoting growth.

How often should I water an eggplant?

Eggplants have specific water requirements, necessitating a consistent supply of at least 1 inch per week. It is preferable to provide one thorough soaking rather than frequent, short waterings, given the shallowness of their roots. Additionally, the weather and soil type also impact water demand.

Why is eggplant hard to grow?

Eggplants are sensitive to cold temperatures and humidity, so they should be planted in spring after soil temperature reaches 70ºF. They thrive in hot, humid weather but can be reduced by intense heatwaves. Eggplants have a long growing season in the South, producing from July to October, and in the Coastal South, from mid-spring to late summer. They are perennial in tropical climates but bitter-tasting in hot temperatures. In South Florida, eggplant is grown in fall and winter.

To fertilize, use organic products like Jobe’s Organics Vegetable and Tomato (2-7-4), and fertilize at planting and every four weeks. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can result in bushy growth and fewer flowers.

How many eggplants will one plant produce?

Eggplants thrive in warm weather but can be damaged by cold. To ensure optimal growth, wait for consistently above 60°F night temperatures before planting or placing the patio container outdoors. Provide good drainage, rich organic soil, and ample space and support for eggplants. Most varieties require 24 to 36 in. between plants and 2 to 3 ft. between rows. Mulch can help them start quickly in the spring when temperatures are cooler.

Do eggplants need a lot of water?

Eggplants and nightshade vegetables require a substantial amount of irrigation, approximately an inch per week, with adjustments made based on soil moisture levels. In the event that the soil appears to be excessively dry, an additional inch of irrigation is recommended.

Do eggplants like full sun or shade?

Eggplants flourish in full sun, therefore a location with six hours of direct sunlight daily should be selected and the soil prepared with loamy, well-draining soil with a pH of 6. 0 to 6. 5.

Why is my eggplant flowering but not producing?

To hand-pollinate eggplant blossoms, gently touch the stem behind the flower with a vibrating toothbrush during the morning hours and repeat the next day. Check the stigma at the end of the style to see if it protrudes from the center of the flower. Some eggplant varieties have shorter styles that barely show, making them less fertile. Additionally, eggplant varieties with normal styles may become moody about reproduction and switch to short ones, which is one way eggplant responds to stress, especially drought.

In semitropical and tropical climates, eggplants are short-lived perennials, waiting for better days when the weather gets too hot, dry, dim, or cold. This helps ensure that eggplants are able to produce cute little fruits after dropping their first few blossoms.