Eggplant Long Purple - Solanum melongena

Eggplant Long Purple - Solanum melongena

Eggplant Long Purple produces striking, shiny, elongated purple fruits with excellent flavour. The vigorous plants are heavy croppers and produce an abundance of fruit throughout the warm growing season. The tender fruits are delicious in curries, stir fries, grilled dishes, casseroles and other savoury meals.

Packet Quantity: 75 seeds

Planting Instructions

Sowing Time:
Spring and Summer. In warmer areas, sowing can extend into early Autumn. Eggplants are frost tender and require warm conditions for successful growth.

Position:
Full sun in a warm, sheltered position. Protect plants from strong winds and cold weather.

Soil:
Rich, fertile and well drained soil enriched with compost, well rotted manure or suitable organic fertiliser. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.

Sowing Depth:
5 mm

Spacing:
Sow into seed trays or punnets containing quality seed raising mix, or sow directly once the soil has warmed. Transplant established seedlings into their final position with 60 cm between plants.

Germination Time:
10 to 14 days. Keep the seed raising mix consistently moist and warm during germination.

Harvest Time:
Approximately 12 to 16 weeks from sowing, depending on climate and growing conditions.

Growing Tips

Sow seeds in a quality seed raising mix and keep them warm and moist while germinating. Eggplants need plenty of warmth to establish, so avoid planting seedlings outdoors while temperatures are still cool.

Once seedlings are established, transplant carefully into fertile, well drained soil in a full sun position. Prepare the soil beforehand with compost or well rotted manure to encourage strong growth and good fruit production.

Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and keep the root zone evenly moist.

Feed regularly with a suitable vegetable fertiliser once plants are established to encourage vigorous growth and continued fruiting.

Harvest the fruit while it is young and glossy, before the skin becomes dull and the seeds inside become larger and harder. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruit.

In windy areas, stake plants to provide support and help protect the stems as the plants become heavy with fruit.