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An unusual type of fruiting is distinguished by raceme eggplants. Their fruits are collected several times in one cluster - hence the name. It is believed that these varieties were bred and distributed not so long ago. Many people are concerned about the question: is it worth growing new varieties on their plots? Let's look at this topic in more detail.
Eggplant as a crop
The benefits of eggplant are difficult to overestimate. This vegetable is beautiful and healthy. It contains:
- healthy fiber;
- minerals;
- soluble sugars;
- pectin;
- vitamins of group B, PP, C.
It is useful for both young and old people.
Until recently, in central Russia it was impossible to find this wonderful vegetable in the garden beds, but today it is even planted in open ground, not to mention greenhouses and film shelters.
Eggplant is a heat-loving crop. It bears fruit well at temperatures from +22 to +30 degrees. This is the optimal growing mode. It is demanding on fertilizing, fertility and loose soils, as well as moderate watering.
On our shelves today there are hundreds of varieties of various selections, and new ones appear every year. Among this list there are also time-tested varieties that are resistant to our climatic conditions. Recently, raceme eggplants have also become very popular.
Carpal varieties
There are still very few of them among the variety of varieties, but many gardeners have appreciated the quality and speed of their growth, as well as fruiting. The fruits are usually small, collected in clusters of several pieces. Usually there are 2-4 of them, but there are also other hybrids.
The peculiarity of the raceme varieties is that some hybrids bear fruit abundantly, and the bush can sag under the weight of the fruit. Eggplants are always planted in the sun. No need to worry, because the necessary shade will be provided by wide green leaves.
Growing such varieties is an interesting experiment; you can surprise your neighbors in your dacha or garden with unusual eggplants; the taste of hybrids is rarely bitter. As a rule, there are hybrids of imported selection on the market; let’s figure out which varieties can be planted in our beds today.
Names of varieties
Let's look at several varieties of eggplants. Their seeds are classified as hybrids by their type. That is why you should not expect the same harvest from them again. Every year you will just need to buy a new bag of seeds.
We will also present a comparative table of the presented varieties. When choosing any planting material, the following qualities are of great importance:
- speed of maturation;
- productivity;
- plant size;
- resistance to diseases.
Among the varieties we are considering:
- Balagur (Manul and other agricultural firms);
- Samurai (Kitano);
- Prado (Kitano);
- Mantle (decorative variety).
Let's first talk about each variety separately.
Joker
This is a specially bred variety with a bright purple skin color. It is most often found on our shelves, and can be purchased in almost any store. The fruits are small, elongated, slightly pot-bellied.
The plant holds fruits well, of which up to 7 pieces are formed in one cluster, if the growing conditions are met.
The bush is quite tall, reaches a height of 130 centimeters, bears fruit abundantly and for a long time. Planting conditions and yield data are shown in the table.
Samurai
These seeds are most often imported from Ukraine; they quickly gained popularity due to the durability of the hybrid. Sometimes you can find this hybrid from other manufacturers on the shelves.
The fruits of the “Samurai” variety are very beautiful, the skin color is dark purple and glossy. The pulp is not bitter, the eggplant seeds are very small. Gardeners say that this variety is very popular with insects, which they will have to fight with.
Prado
Another variety of Japanese selection, which is very similar to “Samurai”. The color of the fruit is also dark purple, the taste characteristics are very good. Eggplants are smaller, short in length, and pear-shaped.
The weight of the fruit is 200-230 grams with a length of 20 centimeters. The pulp is creamy, without bitterness. Due to the fact that the hybrid has a small seed chamber, the fruit becomes even tastier. Can be grown both outdoors and indoors.
Mantle
Perhaps the most interesting variety in appearance. Many people, seeing these unusual eggplants in the picture, think that they are difficult to grow in our climate. It is not true. The variety grows well first on windowsills (seeds are planted in February-March), and then in open ground. If the climate is cold, you can plant the seedlings in a heated greenhouse.
A large number of fruits are formed on each brush, 6-7 pieces. They are small and striped.
When ripe, their color changes from greenish to orange. Reddish fruits are considered overripe and tasteless.Despite the fact that this eggplant is decorative, its fruits are eaten.
Below is a video where you can see how this magnificent variety grows.
comparison table
Using this table, you can easily determine which variety is best for you.
Hybrid name/ | Ripening period | Disease resistance | Yield per square meter | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Joker | early (85-100 days) | to the fall of flowers, to tobacco mosaic | on average 7 kilograms | fruits up to 130 grams, plant no more than 6 plants per 1 m2 |
Samurai | early (100 days) | to stress and lodging | 5.5 kilograms | The weight of the fruit is on average 200 grams |
Prado | early ripening (90-100 days) | to lodging, gets used to growing conditions | up to 6 kg | Grows well in open ground |
Mantle | mid-season (120 days) | to major diseases | 5 kilograms | It is important that the temperature during cultivation does not fall below 20 degrees Celsius |
All raceme eggplants are very beautiful. This is their dignity. They bear fruit for a long time and abundantly. As early as September, you can harvest a rich harvest of varieties.
Growing rules
Eggplants are quite difficult to grow, since this crop is heat-loving. Hybrids are famous for their stability; they tolerate temperature changes better. Regardless of what type of eggplant you purchased, the growing conditions will be similar.
Let's talk about how to grow varieties without making mistakes.
Soil requirements
All eggplant varieties love high-quality soil:
- loose;
- fertilized;
- neutral or slightly sour.
Fertilizers must be applied both in advance and during plant growth. The scheme is as follows:
- mineral fertilizers are applied in the fall where you are going to grow the varieties you have chosen;
- in the spring, organic fertilizers are added to the soil, this will not only enrich it, but also warm it up from the inside;
- when growing seedlings, it is better to use high-quality ready-made soil; the seedlings are additionally illuminated;
- During the growing period after transplantation, fertilizer can be applied 2-3 more times (especially during the flowering and fruiting period).
You will have to loosen the soil frequently and remove weeds. At the same time, be careful, the root system of eggplants of all varieties is very capricious.
Requirements for transplantation and cultivation
When transplanting seedlings into the ground, do not crush it or bury it. You just need to sprinkle it on top.
You should not plant plants in partial shade, only in the sun. Don't worry about the fruits. The plant has wide, strong foliage, which provides the necessary comfort. For every square meter, 4-6 plants of the same variety are planted. Don't plant plants too close to each other. Eggplants of all varieties grow poorly in crowded conditions, stretch out and bear little fruit.
If your region has cool summers, it is better to grow the selected variety in a heated greenhouse. Pay attention to watering. It should be plentiful, but not excessive. Control watering of eggplant depending on the temperature. However, do not allow the air temperature to drop. This can be detrimental to raceme eggplant varieties.
The predecessors of this plant in the beds can be:
- carrot;
- cabbage;
- melons;
- onion;
- legumes
There are cultures that cannot be predecessors, and categorically. Among them are peppers and tomatoes, as well as potatoes.
When planting seeds directly into the ground, it is important to place them under the film. Organic matter is added to the soil a few days before planting, and the soil is loosened. As manure or compost decomposes, it will create additional heat.
If you do not follow three important rules about high-quality watering, loose soils and thermal conditions, the plants will turn out weak and will bear fruit poorly.
It is ideal if the eggplants are exposed to the sun for at least 12 hours. It is quite difficult to achieve this in our regions. However, it is hybrids that adapt well to new conditions.
Conclusion
More recently, eggplant was considered a completely exotic vegetable, but today this southern fruit is widely represented not only in markets, but also in the garden beds of ordinary summer residents. Carpal varieties will very soon gain popularity and spread quickly. Every year we meet new varieties in specialized stores.
If you have the opportunity to purchase and grow a raceme eggplant yourself, be sure to do so! The harvest will please you.
