Eggplant Salamandra belongs to a group of varieties bred for cultivation in Siberian conditions. The description of the variety contains the word “heat-resistant”, which, at first glance, does not correspond to the region in which the cultivation of this variety of eggplant is recommended. But we must remember that in summer in Yakutia there are temperatures up to + 40 degrees. And in the south of Siberia it is much warmer than in its northern part.
Description
This is a high-yielding, mid-early variety. Bush of medium height, closed. The plant enters the fruiting period three months from the date of sowing the seeds. The variety is grown in greenhouses and open air. Begins to branch early, with a large number of side shoots. The yield of the variety is from seven and a half to ten kilograms per square meter.
Medium sized eggplants. Weight up to two hundred grams. Length from fourteen to seventeen centimeters. The shape is cylindrical. Eggplants are dark purple with a glossy surface. The spines on the calyx are either completely absent or very sparse. The pulp is not bitter, white, dense consistency. Perfect for canning and home cooking.
Agricultural technology
This eggplant variety loves loamy and sandy loam soils with a lot of organic matter. It is better to plant eggplants after crops such as legumes, carrots, pumpkins, onions, and melons.Seedlings previously germinated at home are planted in a permanent place.
They are planted in a permanent location at the age of fifty-five days after a steady onset of warm weather. The density of seedlings per square meter is up to five plants. During the growing season, it is necessary to loosen the soil and feed the eggplants with mineral fertilizers. Weeds are removed without fail.
Official recommendation: in the northern and central regions of the Russian Federation, this variety of eggplant can only be grown in shelters: hotbeds, greenhouses. You can temporarily cover the beds with plastic wrap.
Unofficial recipe from Siberian eggplant growers
Eggplant is a southern vegetable, so in Siberia it is usually recommended to grow it in greenhouses. But Siberian gardeners complain that in greenhouses eggplants drive away the green mass instead of setting fruit. Like any other plant, the eggplant begins to bear fruit “before it dies.” After all, as long as it is warm, light and there is water, there is no point in leaving offspring. You can live for your own pleasure. As soon as conditions unfavorable for life occur, the plant switches on a program for generating a new generation. For this reason, today Siberian gardeners are beginning to “drive” eggplants out of greenhouses, growing them in open ground.
Eggplant is not so afraid of cold air as it is of cooling winds and drafts. To plant seedlings, you need to choose a sunny place protected from strong winds.
You can plant them between berry bushes. It is better to prepare the place for planting in the fall in advance by generously mulching the beds. You need to use fresh bedding manure for mulch.
The best option would be fresh goat or horse bedding. In extreme cases, cow. Such mulch also eliminates the need to apply nitrogen fertilizers. Plants will get nitrogen from mulch.
Mulch is a good alternative to plastic film, under which excess moisture is created and favorable conditions for the development of fungal diseases. This filmless method of growing under mulch inhibits the development of late blight. Fungi develop at the interface between air and earth. Mulch blocks their development. But the lower leaves of the eggplant bushes need to be torn off. Eggplant stems should be ventilated. There is no need to thicken the plantings too much. Five plants per square meter is the maximum number for the variety.
Mulch also protects against the appearance of weeds.
The seedlings are grown at home. Seeds for seedlings are sown in mid-March and harvested in mid-April. In June, with the onset of warm days, plants are planted directly into last year's mulch.
The mulch must be moved apart, the sprout placed there and the mulch moved again. After planting, water carefully. As the mulch overheats, it will release heat, warming the young eggplants.
The need for further watering of eggplants depends on the weather. During rainy summers there is no need for watering at all. When grown in an open garden bed, the plant does not need to be planted.
Reviews about this variety are unanimous.Having bought varietal seeds last year, gardeners are going to buy them this year as well. Gardeners are more than satisfied with the yield and taste of the variety.
