Content
Most gardeners believe that eggplant is a fastidious, heat-loving crop that is difficult to grow in the central climate zone of Russia. However, this opinion is erroneous, and unsuccessful cultivation practices are most likely associated with the wrong choice of seed variety or non-compliance with cultivation rules. Below are the best eggplant varieties adapted to relatively harsh weather conditions, and recommendations for growing them.
Variety selection
Central Russia is characterized by short and fairly cool summers. In this regard, for cultivation, you should select eggplant varieties that are not too demanding on the light regime. Also, the best harvest can be obtained if you have a greenhouse or hotbed, which will provide protection from wind and bad weather and keep you warm at night. Disembarkation eggplants in open ground is also possible, however, in this case the planting method must be seedlings, and young plants must be protected with a film cover.
The most adapted, cold-resistant eggplant varieties for growth and fruiting in mid-latitude conditions include:
Purple Haze
Eggplant, which grows well both in open areas and in greenhouses, greenhouses. It belongs to the category of early ripening, since it ripens in 90-105 days after sowing the seeds. The bush is quite compact, no higher than 70 cm, and requires regular feeding and loosening. For relatively modest care, the plant will thank the owner with a decent harvest of up to 15 kg/m2.
The taste and appearance of the vegetable are excellent: the flesh is snow-white, does not contain bitterness, the peel is thin, light purple or bright purple. The shape of the vegetable is cylindrical, the length is small - up to 18 cm.
King of the North
One of the most cold-resistant varieties. It was bred specifically for relatively cold climatic conditions, in which it grows well and bears fruit abundantly. The crop is early ripening, it requires no more than 100 days after sowing to yield the first harvest. This variety has excellent fruit set, which allows it to achieve yields of up to 15 kg/m2.
The plant has a modest size, up to 40 cm in height, which makes it convenient for growing in greenhouses and open areas protected by a plastic cover.
In addition to excellent survival, the variety has excellent taste and thin, delicate skin. The snow-white pulp of the fruit is extremely tender and contains absolutely no bitterness. The vegetable itself is quite long (up to 35 cm), cylindrical in shape.
Valentina F1
A very early ripening hybrid, ripening 90-95 days after sowing the seeds. It is grown mainly in open ground and is resistant to low temperatures.
Eggplants of this variety have excellent taste and appearance. Its peel is thin, dark purple, or rather even black. The length of the vegetable reaches 26 cm, and the weight exceeds 200 g.The pulp is white, does not taste bitter and is perfect for creating all kinds of culinary delights. The only drawback of the variety is its relatively modest yield - up to 5 kg/m2.
Long purple
An early ripening variety that ripens in 95 days in a greenhouse. The plant is very compact, adapted to grow in protected and open conditions. The yield of the variety is low - up to 5 kg/m2however, it can be increased using artificial pollination during flowering.
The length of the fruit varies from 12 to 24 cm, respectively, and the weight of the vegetable can be at the level of 100-300g, depending on the growing conditions. The eggplant pulp is juicy, soft, and white.
Siberian early ripening 148
The brainchild of domestic selection, bred specifically for cultivation in central Russia. The variety has exceptional resistance to low temperatures and poor climatic conditions. An excellent harvest is guaranteed by breeders even in Siberian conditions within 105 days after sowing.
The crop is grown both in greenhouse conditions and in open areas. The bushes are low, compact, give a yield of up to 6 kg/m2. The average weight of a vegetable is 200g.
Similar agrotechnical characteristics and high adaptability to cool summer weather and short photoperiods characterize another hybrid of West Siberian selection - Siberian Argument F1.
Dwarf early 921
A popular variety among eggplant lovers. It gained its fame not only because of its ability to bear fruit abundantly in mid-climatic latitudes, but also because of its excellent taste and ease of care. The period of fruit ripening does not exceed 100 days from the date of sowing the seeds.The yield of the variety in greenhouse conditions reaches 10 kg/m2.
Eggplants are pear-shaped, with a dark purple skin. The average weight of a vegetable is about 250 g.
Epic F1
Ultra-early hybrid: just over 64 days pass from seed germination to fruiting. Grown in open areas, bears fruit at a rate of up to 6 kg/m2.
Eggplants are teardrop-shaped, with black-purple skin. Their length reaches 21 cm and weight 230 g. The taste of the vegetable is good.
Diamond
One of the best varieties, which is included in the TOP 5 most popular eggplants. Its good productivity (8 -10 kg/m2), excellent taste and ease of care are the main advantages of the variety. It is perfectly adapted to the climate of central Russia.
The bush is low (up to 55 cm), adapted to open ground and greenhouses. It bears fruit 110 days after sowing the seed. Eggplants are small (length up to 17 cm, weight up to 160g), but very tasty. Their flesh is dense, greenish, with a sweet aftertaste. The vegetable is ideal for creating culinary dishes and winter preparations.
Czech early
An early ripening variety of eggplant, suitable for growing in greenhouses, greenhouses and open areas. When planting seedlings in May, the first harvest can be tested in August. The plant is relatively short, up to 50 cm high. Productivity, unfortunately, does not exceed 5 kg/m2.
Eggplants of this variety are ovoid in shape. Their weight reaches 600 g.
Northern Blues F1
An early ripening hybrid, excellent for growing even in the harsh conditions of Siberia. Planted exclusively in a greenhouse. The significant height of the bush (up to 170 cm) requires a garter.
Eggplants are lilac, oval in shape with a diameter of up to 18 cm.Unfortunately, the yield of this northern variety does not exceed 3 kg/m2.
Alenka
The variety is unique not only in its adaptability to harsh climatic conditions, but also in the light green color of its peel, which is unusual for eggplant. The crop is early ripening, its fruits ripen 110 days after sowing. Adapted exclusively to greenhouse conditions.
The eggplant pulp is greenish and sweet, which allows you to eat the vegetable raw. Fruit length up to 15 cm, weight up to 320g, yield 8 kg/m2.
Fluff
Bright representative white varieties of eggplant. A small oval fruit, has white flesh and a very pleasant taste. The average weight of an eggplant reaches 200 g.
The crop is grown only in greenhouses and is perfectly adapted to mid-latitudes. 105 days after sowing the seeds, the active fruiting phase begins. The plant is tall - up to 180 cm, requires garter. Despite the fact that the fruits are relatively small, their mass distribution allows yields to reach up to 5 kg/m2.
Amethyst
An excellent early-ripening variety, adapted to open ground conditions, even when cultivated in mid-latitudes. You can enjoy the harvest within 100 days after sowing the seeds of this variety. Productivity is quite high (up to 8 kg/m2), which allows you to prepare vegetables for the winter.
Dark purple eggplant, pear-shaped, white flesh, excellent taste, without bitterness. Its peel is thin and delicate. Average fruit weight is 250 g.
Kirovsky
One of the best varieties of domestic selection. Adapted to low temperatures and lack of light. The ripening period is minimal and is no more than 90-95 days. The plant is very compact, no more than 65 cm in height. At the same time, the crop yield reaches 5 kg/m2.
Eggplants are small, up to 15 cm long, with a dark purple color. The pulp of the fruit is snow-white, juicy, dense.
In addition to the above varieties, the following varieties are adapted to harsh climatic conditions: Matrosik, Swan, Nutcracker and some others. You can see some of them in the video:
Growing rules
In the middle latitudes of Russia, eggplants are mainly grown in seedlings. Seeds pre-grown in small cups at home. Eggplants have a long growing season and the plant requires about 2 weeks for the seed to germinate. The grown seedlings are hardened into the ground 2 weeks before planting, periodically taking them outside.
The soil in a greenhouse or garden bed must be prepared. To do this, it is heated using special additives or mulch. Sand, ash, peat and other components that are present in the cup with seedlings are added to the soil. This will allow the plant to take root painlessly in new conditions.
Eggplants are particularly demanding on the microclimate of the environment in which they grow. They love watering, but do not tolerate excessively high air humidity. Warmth and ventilation are also necessary conditions for growth. A favorable microclimate for eggplants in a greenhouse can only be created with regular ventilation and watering. If a plant is planted in open ground, it is necessary to provide wind protection in the form of artificial screens and tall plants. An excellent option for open areas is also covering with plastic film, but this can only be done when choosing seeds of low-growing eggplants.
During the period of active growth, it is necessary to pinch the bush so that 6-8 ovaries remain on the plant, this will allow the fruits to successfully form and ripen in a timely manner. Fertilizing is also a necessary condition for obtaining a rich harvest. Particular attention should be paid to nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
Harvesting requires compliance with certain rules:
- the fruits are removed when the characteristic color of the peel is achieved;
- Regular harvesting will allow young eggplants to ripen safely;
- If you want to prepare seeds of a certain variety, 1-2 fruits can be left until full biological ripening.
Some recommendations for growing are shown in the video:
Conclusion
Eggplants are considered an exclusively heat-loving crop, however, with the help of breeders, it has perfectly adapted to the conditions of middle climatic latitudes. By choosing the best varieties of eggplants and providing them with a favorable microclimate, every gardener will be able to obtain delicious vegetables for seasonal consumption and winter harvesting.
