Up for a World Tour? Grow These Diverse Eggplant Varieties!

Did you know that you can travel the world by just eating eggplants? That’s right! Well, technically not physically, but eggplants offer a wide range of varieties such as Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, Sicilian, Indian, and Thai. You could grow them in your garden and in more or less 90 days, you could harvest them and have a taste of the world.

Each eggplant has its own color, appearance, and flavor profile, but they are very versatile as a culinary ingredient and a nutritional source. However, they have specific growing conditions and can be demanding with their needs.

If you are worrying about where to start, this blog is for you! So let’s pack our bags (with gardening tools, of course) and let’s go around the world in 90 days and learn through this awesome guide on how to grow different varieties of eggplants.

General Growing Conditions for Eggplants

If you live in a place where the climate is always cold, eggplants might not be the perfect crop for you to start your gardening career. But do not worry, you can browse through our growing guides selection and find the perfect crop for you! For starters, eggplants thrive in warmer climates, at temperatures ranging from 70 to 85°F.

When starting with seeds, they should be planted about eight weeks prior to transplanting outside your garden.

Container for Eggplants

Use pots or dark-colored containers filled with well-drained sandy loam or loamy soil rich in organic matter. Place them indoors under sunlight, or use a heating mat until the seedlings emerge.

It's now time for transplanting your seedlings. Make your rows three feet apart, then set the seedlings in holes 24 to 30 inches apart. Support the growing plants with cages or stakes to avoid disturbing the soil and roots. Don’t forget to water your plants well to have consistent soil moisture levels, or else, your eggplants will become bitter and inconsistently shaped.

Just as with other plants, they also need weed and pest control. Frequent cultivation or mulching with organic materials could prevent weed growth before they become a problem. Manage insects and diseases with appropriate biological, chemical, and mechanical control.

Once you have a fruit-bearing plant after more or less 90 days (depending on the variety), they are ready to be harvested. Remember to harvest early so that the plant’s energy would be focused on producing more eggplants.

7 Eggplant Varieties and How to Grow Them

Eggplant Varieties Around the World

1. Chinese Eggplant

The Chinese eggplant has a long body (around 15-20 cm) and a relatively uniform, slender shape (5 cm) with a light to bright purple skin and a semi-firm white flesh. It has a mild and sweet flavor, and has fewer seeds than other eggplant varieties, and thus is less bitter.

Do you know that regular harvesting of eggplants promotes the production of more fruits? Harvest your Chinese eggplants at the right time: around 50 to 60 days after planting, they should be about 18 inches long. Remember to use garden shears to clip off the eggplants, leaving a small portion of the stem.

2. Japanese Eggplant

Often confused with the Chinese variety, Japanese eggplants also have long, slender bodies but have a deeper purple to almost black color. They also share the same subtle sweet taste. This variety is often used as a substitute for the Chinese ones.

Japanese eggplants have higher nutrient needs. Supply your plant with nitrogen using organic blood meal and potassium using half-strength fish emulsion. When buds are starting to grow, pinch them to encourage growth. Fruits are ready to be harvested when they leave a dimple when pinched. This is usually after 50 to 60 days of planting.

3. American Eggplant

Also known as globe eggplants, American eggplants are large, short, oval-shaped variants with a glossy smooth deep purple skin. This one has a bigger and rounder bottom (15-20 cm) and has a cream-colored and spongy-textured meaty flesh full of seeds.

4. Italian Eggplant

They may be looking like an American eggplant, but they are surely different if you inspect them quite enough. The Italian eggplant has an elongated, almost spherical shape; it is a bit smaller, sweeter, and has a more tender flesh than the American variety.

In growing this type of eggplant, just follow the general guidelines we have given. The plant is ready for harvest after 70 days, although some can take up to 122-168 days.

5. Sicilian Eggplant

Sicilian eggplants, also called graffiti eggplants, have a unique mottled purple and white striping on their skin, similar to that of zebras (thus the term zebra eggplant). The plant, which can grow seven to 15 cm in length, has small seeds, thin skin, and almost a fruit-like flavor.

6. Indian Eggplant

The Indian eggplant is a small, rounded, dark reddish-purple color variety of eggplant. Due to their small sizes (5-7 cm), they are also called baby eggplants. Their flesh is milder in flavor.

About a month prior to planting this variety, turn organic compost and aged manure into the garden to make the soil fertile and rich. Also make sure that the soil is well-draining, loose, and airy.

7. Thai Eggplant

Another differently colored variant in the basket is the Thai eggplant. Unlike the usual purple and the occasional white color, this eggplant has light to dark green skin. Its flesh is pale pink and full of seeds, responsible for its bitter flavor.

When planting Thai eggplant seedlings, make sure they are planted 61 cm (2 feet) apart in soil with pH 5.5 to 6.5. Plants such as carrots, marigolds, and mints offer good pairs with eggplants when companion gardening.

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FAQs

How do you choose a ripe eggplant?

When selecting a ripe eggplant, look for one that is firm, shiny, and heavy for its size. Avoid those with wrinkled skin or soft spots, as they may be overripe or have damage. The stem should be green and attached, indicating freshness. A ripe eggplant should have vibrant purple skin, although some varieties may be lighter or have streaks. Pressing the flesh lightly with your finger should leave a slight indentation but not feel overly soft or mushy.

How should eggplants be stored?

Eggplants are best stored in a cool place, ideally around 50°F (10°C). If you plan to use them within a couple of days, you can keep them at room temperature. Otherwise, place them in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator's vegetable crisper. Avoid washing the eggplants before storage as moisture can accelerate spoilage. When properly stored, eggplants can last up to one week.

How can I prepare eggplants before cooking?

To prepare an eggplant for cooking, start by washing it and patting it dry. Remove the stem and calyx at the top. Depending on your recipe, you can peel the skin or leave it intact. If you choose to peel it, a vegetable peeler or a knife can be used. Slicing, cubing, or cutting it into the desired shape is common for many dishes. To reduce its natural bitterness, you can sprinkle salt on the sliced eggplant and let it sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing and cooking.

What are some popular ways to cook eggplants?

Eggplants are incredibly versatile and can be prepared in various ways. Some popular cooking methods include roasting, grilling, sautéing, stir-frying, baking, and even deep-frying. They can be used in stews, curries, dips (such as baba ganoush), ratatouille, moussaka, and as a meat substitute in dishes like eggplant parmesan. The flesh of cooked eggplants becomes tender, developing a rich, creamy texture and absorbing the flavors of the accompanying ingredients.

Conclusion

Having gained knowledge about the various eggplant varieties suitable for cultivation in your garden, it is essential to conduct thorough research before planting them or any other plants. It is important to determine if these eggplant varieties have specific requirements and conditions that need to be met, as well as assess their suitability for your local area.

In the event that the conditions are not initially favorable, identifying necessary steps to improve the growing environment becomes crucial for providing optimal care to your plants. By taking these proactive measures, you can enhance the conditions and ensure a plentiful harvest of eggplants in due course.