Eggplant Banana is an ultra-early ripening variety intended for cultivation in open ground. 90 days after sowing, the first harvest of this variety can be harvested. With proper care from one sq. m you can collect up to 4 kg of fruit. Eggplants of the Banana variety have a long shelf life, without loss of presentation and taste.
Characteristics of the variety
In appearance, eggplants resemble an exotic fruit, which gave the variety its name. The fruits are smooth, elongated, grow up to 20-25 cm in length. Eggplants are dark purple in color with a shiny glossy surface and have good taste. The pulp is white and not bitter. The variety is suitable for preparing salads, canning and frying.
During the growth process, a low (up to 40 cm) compact bush with wide leaves is formed. The stem of the plant is quite stable and dense and can withstand abundant fruiting, so the eggplant does not need additional supports.
Growing and care
Banana variety seeds for seedlings are sown in a greenhouse or at home in late February - early March. But this period is relative and may depend on the climatic conditions of the region. The Banana variety does not tolerate transplantation well, so it is recommended to plant eggplant seeds in separate containers. So, the seedlings can not be picked, but can be immediately planted in open ground using the transshipment method. Seed germination lasts from 5 to 10 days.The plants will need another 20-25 days to form healthy seedlings, with a stable stem and 5-6 leaves. Eggplants are planted in open ground as soon as the danger of frost has passed. In warm temperate climates, plants can be planted as early as mid-April. In the northern regions, these deadlines may extend until the end of May.
Eggplants need fertile soil that has been “rested” from previous plantings. Ideally, a bed for this crop is prepared a year before planting. During this time, it is better not to plant anything on it, constantly fertilize and clean it. weeds. If this is not possible, then a bed of carrots, legumes or cabbage will do. These and other secrets of growing eggplants are described in more detail in this video:
Eggplants are not planted next to other nightshade plants (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes). Despite similar agricultural techniques, such proximity can affect the taste of the fruit.
Caring for this variety of eggplant consists of regular watering, weeding and periodic application of fertilizers. Plants must be cleaned of yellowed leaves and sprayed regularly to prevent diseases.
Reviews from gardeners
Alina, 35 years old, Voronezh
Banana is one of our favorite varieties. Unpretentious, looks beautiful, and the fruits are very tasty. I plant the plants in the garden bed, along with other eggplants. 4 banana bushes are enough for our family. They bear fruit very well, and we harvest up to 2.5 kg from each bush per season. Friends often come to us for barbecues, so we fry these eggplants on the grill or on skewers - they are thin, well cooked inside, and the skin does not burst.This variety is not very suitable for caviar, but it is convenient to fry it in oil, cut into circles. I leave one of the most beautiful eggplants for seeds. I grow seedlings in my apartment, in paper cups. It always turns out in abundance, and then I give it to my neighbors.
Venus, 44 years old, Nizhny Novgorod Region
Vegetables from our own garden help us out a lot in winter. We preserve them; some can even be stored in boxes with sawdust until winter. And be sure to dry the eggplants. There is also a banana. I don’t keep fruits on the branch for a long time. The variety ripens very quickly, and as soon as the eggplants grow to 10-12 cm, I immediately remove them - it’s convenient to put them in three-liter jars. I make a semi-finished product from them for the winter - I marinate them whole in jars. Then we take it out, season it with oil and onions - it turns out to be a delicious salad. You can also fry eggplants, you just need to cut them a little thicker - then they won’t wrinkle and won’t absorb the oil as well. I also tried baking it in the oven with minced meat and cheese. For this dish, Banana eggplant is what you need. As for growing them, I don’t follow any special rules - they grow well for me and almost never get sick. I weed on time, make sure that the soil does not dry out, and periodically feed it with humus.
Pavel, 48 years old, Ulyanovsk region
Banana is an eggplant for everyone. The fruits are thin and not suitable for caviar. It is better to fry them fresh. We tried drying it and didn’t like it either. If you slice it thinly, after drying one skin remains. A little thicker – the eggplants don’t have time to dry out inside and become moldy. Therefore, I would not recommend planting them in large quantities. This variety produces a rich harvest - 6 bushes were enough for us to eat our fill and leave them for another winter - they are well stored in a box with sawdust.I collect seeds for seedlings myself. There are almost no of them in the pulp, so I leave one fruit on each bush. I don’t pick up the seedlings so as not to replant them again. This eggplant is very capricious, so it is better to plant it in bulk along with a lump of earth.
