Content
Low-growing varieties of eggplant are an ideal choice for those who want to grow this crop for the first time in their garden or greenhouse. The advantages of planting these eggplants are that the plant forms independently, does not require pinching or tying, and it is much easier to care for than ordinary varietal ones.
Choosing a low-growing variety
The criteria for selecting seeds of low-growing eggplant varieties do not differ much from the selection of ordinary ones. The first thing that needs to be determined is whether the plant will be grown in open ground or in greenhouse conditions. The choice in favor of varieties that are resistant to temperature changes, various diseases in open soil conditions, or, conversely, heat-loving plants adapted to artificial lighting depends on this.
On store shelves and agricultural markets you can see seeds of low-growing eggplants with some marks on the packaging.They mainly characterize growing conditions and resistance to the most common diseases.
The meaning of the symbols on eggplant seed packages:
- V—resistance to Verticillium wilt;
- C—resistance to cpadosporiosis;
- Tt - high resistance to tobacco mosaic virus;
- N—resistance to nematode damage;
- D - prevention against fusarium wilt
- R—resistance to late blight.
Most often, the packaging with seeds of low-growing eggplant hybrids contains not one, but several symbols. This suggests that the variety was bred by breeders with increased resistance to viruses and infections characteristic of a particular region. Also, the packaging must indicate that the eggplant variety is determinant (growth limited).
Today there are many varieties and hybrids of low-growing eggplants. Complete information about the variety and consultation with an experienced gardener will help you choose the variety that is suitable for you.
Growing and care
If you grow eggplant seedlings from seeds at home, pay attention to the fact that low-growing varieties without picking germinate within one and a half months, and those requiring picking – up to two months. When planting seeds, be sure to take this fact into account so as not to overexpose the seedlings in greenhouse conditions and transplant them into the soil in time.
Seedling care
Eggplants are one of the plants that do not tolerate transplantation well, so seedlings must be grown in special peat planting pots. Low-growing varieties of eggplant germinate well at a temperature of 23-250C. As soon as the sprouts appear above the surface of the soil, the temperature is lowered to 19-200C, and the seedlings are kept in this mode for 2-3 days.After this, the temperature is raised again to 23-250WITH.
Two to three days before transplanting stunted eggplants in open ground, seedlings are adapted to direct sunlight. To do this, planting containers with seedlings are taken out into the open sun every day, gradually increasing the hardening time from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Planting in open ground
Low-growing varieties of eggplant are planted in open ground according to the following scheme:
- Level beds with planting grooves and holes for eggplants are arranged on the site;
- The distance between the beds should not be less than 50 cm;
- The distance between the holes is within 25-35 cm.
Before planting the seedlings, the holes are generously filled with warm, settled water, then the eggplants are lowered into them and sprinkled with dry substrate. The next watering is carried out only on the 2-3rd day. This method will allow low-growing varieties to take root well.
Top dressing
The first time fertilizer is applied to the soil 2-3 weeks after planting the seedlings, and then fertilizing is repeated every 3 weeks. It is not recommended to introduce fertilizers earlier, since eggplants are a crop that has weak roots and in the early stages of development is not able to absorb large amounts of nutrients. During the entire period of growth of low-growing eggplants, it is necessary to make at least 5 feedings.
After low-growing eggplants begin to bear fruit, it is recommended to introduce fertilizer containing nitrogen-phosphate elements. To do this, dilute 1 teaspoon of ammonium nitrate and 1 tablespoon of superphosphate in 10 liters of warm water.Fertilizer is introduced into the soil with caution, since phosphate fertilizing actively affects the growth of leaves and stems, but not the fruit itself.
From natural fertilizers for feeding for low-growing eggplants, gardeners use the preparation “Biud”, one of the components of which is mullein. The product must be diluted in accordance with the proportions specified in the instructions. Today, "Biud" is considered the best organic fertilizer for stimulating fruit growth.
During the growth process, mineral, nitrogen and organic fertilizers must be alternated, and during the period of fruit ripening, add a little ash to the soil.
The best varieties of low-growing eggplants
You can grow a rich and high-quality harvest of eggplants only if you have chosen the right variety, with the appropriate fruit ripening time and resistance to possible temperature changes in your region. We remind you that the F1 symbol in the name of the variety indicates that it was bred by breeders by crossing two plants with clearly expressed strong immunity.
Alekseevsky
The variety belongs to early ripening eggplants with increased productivity. Suitable for planting and growing both in greenhouses and hotbeds, as well as in open ground.
Fully mature eggplants appear on the bush 3-3.5 months after the first germination of seedlings. The bushes of the plant during the period of full growth do not exceed a height of 50-60 cm. The fruits have a smooth cylindrical shape, the skin is smooth and shiny with a dark purple color, and the pulp has a dense white structure. The average weight of one fruit during the ripening period is 140-160g.
Albatross
The plant belongs to the mid-season category. Full ripening of the fruit occurs 110-120 days after germination of the seedlings. The bush does not exceed 55-60 cm in height.
Eggplants have light purple skin and white flesh. The average weight of one fruit at full ripening can reach 350-400 grams.
Diamond
The features of this low-growing variety include extraordinary fertility. From one bush, which rarely grows above 50 cm, up to 8-10 kg of vegetables are harvested per season.
The weight of a fully mature fruit is 150-170 g. Novice gardeners who plant Almaz in greenhouses and open ground note another unusual feature - all eggplants are “hidden” under the dense green foliage of the plant.
Bull heart F1
This hybrid belongs to the group of mid-season productive eggplants. The growing season begins in the third month after transplanting the seedlings into open ground. In a greenhouse climate, the first ripening is observed after 2-2.5 months. Features of the variety are strong and powerful bushes, up to 70 cm high. Eggplant fruits have a round, slightly elongated shape. The average weight of the fruit during the ripening period reaches 400-450 grams. The skin is shiny, smooth, dark purple in color. Characteristic taste characteristics - eggplant is practically devoid of bitterness inherent in this culture.
Bourgeois F1
The plant belongs to the early ripening varieties of low-growing hybrids. It is grown both in greenhouses and greenhouses, and in open ground. Of all the varieties, this is the tallest - the bushes stretch up to 75-80 cm. The average weight of a fully ripe fruit is 500 grams. The color of eggplants is smooth, dark purple, in some cases close to black. Bourgeois is one of those varieties that have excellent transportation properties. Even during long-term transportation they do not lose their presentation.
Black Moon F1
This hybrid was created by breeders specifically for growing in open ground.The ovary can appear even when the temperature drops to 13-150C. The bushes reach a height of 65-70 cm. The first fruits ripen in the 3rd month after the seedlings emerge. Eggplants are small in size and have a slightly thin cylindrical shape. The weight of the fruit at full ripening is 200-250 g.
And finally, the best eggplant from the low-growing variety
Super-yielding hybrid Robin Hood
The plant is completely resistant to any changes in temperature and humidity. It does not require regular additional fertilizing, and at the same time the growing season begins already at 70-80 days from the first shoots.
A bush reaching a height of 80-90 cm. The average weight of the fruit is 250-300 cm, the color is light lilac. Another important feature of the variety is that when planting, bushes can be compacted to 5 pcs per 1 m2, which is important in small summer cottages.
Conclusion
Low-growing eggplants, which appeared in our gardens relatively recently, are quickly gaining popularity among gardeners. New varieties of hybrids, bred and adapted for planting in central Russia, are appearing on the shelves. When buying seeds for seedlings, be sure to pay attention to the instructions for caring for the plant. Often, the manufacturer supplies planting material for sale that has already undergone pre-treatment and disinfection.
The video provides interesting information and tips on growing undersized eggplant varieties.
