Eggplant Thai Long Green - Solanum melongena

Eggplant Thai Long Green - Solanum melongena

Eggplant Thai Long Green is a productive heirloom variety from Thailand, producing long, slender, light green fruit with tender pale flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. The fruit can grow to around 25 cm long and is excellent in curries, stir fries, grilled dishes and other savoury meals. Pick regularly while the fruit is young, glossy and tender for the best flavour and texture.

Packet Quantity: 30 seeds

Planting Instructions

Sowing Time:
Spring and Summer. In warmer subtropical and tropical areas, sowing can be extended into Autumn. Eggplant is frost tender and performs best when grown during warm weather.

Position:
Full sun. Choose a warm, sheltered position with plenty of sunlight.

Soil:
Rich, fertile and well drained soil. Incorporate well rotted manure or compost before planting. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.

Sowing Depth:
5 mm

Spacing:
60 cm between plants. Allow approximately 80 to 120 cm between rows where possible.

Germination Time:
10 to 14 days under warm conditions. Germination is best when soil temperatures are around 24 to 32°C.

Harvest Time:
Approximately 10 to 12 weeks from sowing, depending on growing conditions. Other Australian growing references place maturity around 70 to 85 days.

Growing Tips

Start seeds in a seed tray or small pots containing quality seed raising mix, or sow directly into the final position once the weather is consistently warm. Keep the seed raising mix moist but not waterlogged while the seeds germinate.

Transplant seedlings once they are well established and handle them carefully to minimise root disturbance. Eggplants are warm season plants, so protect young plants from cold weather and frost.

Feed regularly once plants are established to encourage strong growth and continued fruit production. Keep moisture levels consistent, particularly while plants are flowering and fruiting.

The long green fruit is best harvested while it is young, firm and glossy. Picking regularly encourages the plant to continue producing. The packet specifically recommends harvesting before the seeds inside become brown.

In exposed positions, provide a stake or other support as the plants become heavy with fruit.