Eggplant Balu is a variety that is adapted to growing in harsh climatic conditions. It grows well and bears fruit even in open ground in the Siberian region, as evidenced by reviews from local gardeners.
Characteristics of the eggplant variety Balu
Balu belongs to the mid-early varieties. Three months after the emergence of seedlings, it is already possible to harvest a full harvest.
Fruit
The Balu variety is easy to recognize thanks to its fruits. They have a pear-shaped shape, not quite usual for an eggplant, and a bright purple color with a crimson tint. Balu is ideal for preparing caviar - the pulp is almost seedless, white, the peel is thin and tender. For these qualities, this variety enjoys well-deserved popularity among housewives. By the time the vegetable ripens, it gains up to 160-200 g of weight. At the same time, the peel does not become rough, like other varieties, which saves cooks from the need to peel it. The pulp is devoid of bitterness and does not require pre-soaking.
Plant
With proper care, a strong, spreading plant grows up to 60 cm high. It is recommended to plant the variety in long beds, at a distance of 50-70 cm, since it is strictly forbidden to thin out eggplants during the growth process by cutting off side shoots. The best precursors for this crop are legumes, greens, beets, and carrots.Some secrets of growing eggplants in open ground can be learned in more detail from the video:
Growing and care
Balu is a strong and hardy variety of eggplant. It can withstand low temperatures and lack of direct sunlight, which is typical for northern regions.
Soil and place for planting
The Balu variety does not tolerate drought, so it is necessary to constantly monitor the moisture in the soil. The soil should be loose and fertile. Before planting and before fruiting of this variety of eggplant, it is necessary to apply organic and mineral fertilizers. Fertilizer-rich soil promotes abundant growth weed, which must be disposed of regularly. Eggplant is a crop that needs space to fully grow. This applies to both the plants themselves and the roots.
The Balu variety is intended for cultivation in open ground. The plant is resistant to cold. Reviews from some gardeners indicate that when grown in greenhouses, the percentage of yield is slightly reduced, although this does not affect the appearance of the plants.
Disease Prevention
The Balu variety is resistant to diseases, but for prevention it is recommended to periodically treat late blight. This is a fungal disease. Initially, brown spots form on the leaves, and if measures are not taken in time, the disease will spread to the stem and fruits, resulting in the death of the plant. Treatment consists of spraying plants with solutions containing copper (Bordeaux mixture, copper sulfate). The first treatment of plants is carried out with the formation of 4-6 leaves, then the procedures are repeated every 8-10 days. Spraying is stopped 18-20 days before fruit harvest.
Important! During the growth process, it is necessary to inspect the plants and promptly remove yellowed and fallen leaves. The garden bed where eggplants grow must be constantly clean, free of leaves and weeds. When pests appear, you can spray the plants with a soap or tobacco solution.
Reviews
Antonina, 37 years old Barnaul
I always plant eggplants on my plot. This year I decided to try a new variety for myself – Balu. I asked my neighbors, listened to their reviews, and bought seeds. On the package there is a photo of a very beautiful variety of eggplant. The vegetable in the picture is plump and meaty. I sowed the seeds in a box under the film, they sprouted quickly and amicably - after three days there was already a green clearing of small plants. Before sowing the eggplant, I added peat soil from the store to the soil. After 20 days, the plant stems were already strong and stable, each with 4-5 round leaves. I prepared the bed for this variety in advance and chose the sunniest place. In the new place, Balu took root well - out of 30 planted eggplant sprouts, only 5 did not take root. I really liked the taste of the eggplants - thin skin, almost no seeds inside. Perfect for caviar. Next year I decided that I would definitely plant another bed. I’m preparing the place for the plants now - I cleaned the bed where the carrots grew (they say eggplants grow well after it), poured compost and covered it with film until spring.
Victor, 42 years old, Mezhdurechensk
The Balu variety somehow immediately became our family’s favorite. Salads from this eggplant turn out very tasty, and for caviar we pass the pulp through a meat grinder - there are almost no seeds, and the pulp is rather dense, in my opinion. As for growing Balu, we didn’t have much trouble with this variety.We monitor moisture, remove weeds, and periodically fertilize. On average, one bush produced 1.5-2 kg of fruit last year. The plant itself looks very picturesque - bright leaves, large purple flowers mixed with the same fruits.
Peter, 46 years old, Ulan-Ude
A neighbor in the countryside treated me to eggplants from her garden. The variety is called Balu. I immediately liked the look and taste of the beautiful, fleshy fruits. I decided to grow it myself. I begged a neighbor for seeds in the fall and immediately prepared a bed. I decided to prepare the soil for seedlings in advance. Leaf compost, peat, humus - everything was mixed with soil and covered with film. The seedlings are strong, the germination of the seeds pleased me. When transplanted into the ground, the plants hurt a little, but this is not critical. Eggplant itself is a capricious crop. I read reviews about growing eggplants, someone advised planting a bed of tobacco next to it. They say it is good at repelling pests. I planted the tobacco at a distance of about a couple of meters from the eggplant bed. There were no aphids, but the Colorado potato beetle was collected several times. I weeded almost every day - my soil was rich and moist, and weeds grew frequently. Almost 2 kg of eggplant was harvested from each bush during the season. They closed the eggs and made salads for the winter - all from their own garden.
