{"id":2335,"date":"2019-06-06T09:34:52","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2335"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:03:28","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:03:28","slug":"14-steps-on-planting-eggplant-in-pots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-steps-on-planting-eggplant-in-pots\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Steps on Planting Eggplant in Pots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Eggplants are a great vegetable that can be used in many different types of recipes. They are great grilled, can be used in place of pasta in casseroles and other dishes, and they are quite tasty. These plants will grow in containers, are fun as ornamental borders, can be placed in raised beds, and of course, can be planted in a traditional in-ground garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eggplants need some room to be able to grow, but they can be grown inside a container if you use a pot that is large enough. The plants need a large amount of sunlight as they will thrive in warmer soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to make sure that you keep the soil moist, but not totally soaked in order for your plants to grow. In addition, eggplants need the right type of soil in order to do well. Here are some steps to take in order to grow your eggplants in pots around your yard or on your deck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to start your eggplants using seeds, you will want to purchase some small pots or some plastic gardening trays. You will need a pot for every couple of seeds that you are going to plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A seedling tray will make it easier to transfer the small plants into a larger pot later. You should choose large pots for your eggplants to grow in. they should be at least 5 gallons and each of the plants will need about a foot of space in which to grow. Since the eggplant will need a lot of room in order to grow you may only want to plant one eggplant in each pot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, a good plant will produce several fruits, so depending on how much eggplant that you want, you may only need two or three plants to get the number of fruits that you desire for the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Types of Pots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned it is important to make sure that you choose a pot that is large enough for the eggplants to grow. They need to be at least 5 gallons so that there is plenty of soil for it to grow in. In addition to making sure that the pot is large enough, it is also important to consider the type of material that is used for the pot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eggplants do better with heat, so choosing a clay pot is ideal. This is because clay pots are going to be able to retain heat better than a plastic pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can remember to water plants on a regular basis, choose a pot that is not glazed. If you tend to forget to water your plants, choose a glazed pot. The reason for this is because an unglazed pot will dry out the soil faster than a pot that is glazed. This means that if you choose an unglazed pot you will need to make sure that you water it frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Starting Your Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are planning to grow your eggplants from seed, it is a good idea to start your seeds indoors. You should plant your seeds about eight to ten weeks before the last expected frost in your area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seeds will need to be placed in growing pods and kept under lights for several hours each day. The lights will help the seeds start to sprout more quickly. In addition, using bottom heat on the tray of eggplant seeds can help speed up the germination process. A seedling heat mat can be placed under each of the flats of eggplant seeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mat should be kept under the flat and then kept there until the plants start to produce their first true leaves. Once the leaves have formed, remove the mat so that you prevent leggy growth. The seedlings should start to get leaves in just a few weeks from the time they are planted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Cleaning your Containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your seedlings are ready to be transplanted you will want to make sure that your larger pots are ready for them. If the pots held other plants at one point, make sure that you clean them very well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will want to use some warm water and soap to scrub both the inside and the outside of the pot. If you fail to take this step there is a chance that there may be microscopic insect eggs or harmful bacteria within the pot and these can cause damage to your eggplants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking a few minutes to make sure that your pots are clean can go a long way in protecting your future eggplants. Once again, make sure that the pots are clean before adding the soil. You also want to make sure that there are holes in the bottom of the pot so that they can drain when there is too much water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Soil Preparation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are growing eggplants in a pot it is important to make sure that you use the proper soil for the plants. One of the easiest options is to mix one part sand with two parts of potting soil. The soil will provide the plant with the nutrients that it needs in order to thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sand will help to control the moisture levels. In order to add in some additional nutrients, you can add in a bit of compost as well as a 5-10-5 fertilizer. This type of fertilizer will have a mild concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a little bit of extra phosphorus that will help to promote roots that are stronger and also increase the number of eggplants that the plant will yield. You will want to test the soil to make sure that it has a pH balance between 5 to 6 and to make sure that there are no nutrients missing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Sunlight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to growing eggplants you want to make sure that you are planting your eggplants in an area that will receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day. The plants need this much full sunlight each day in order to grow well. If the eggplants are in the shade too much the plants may become leggy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shade will also minimize the amount of fruit that you get from them. Eggplants are a warm-weather plant, which means that they do best in soil that is warm. You can do several things in order to keep your eggplants warm. First, make sure that you use a clay pot as this will help to retain the heat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, place the pots in areas that get plenty of sunlight. You may also want to cover the soil with some black mulch or some plastic to help keep the roots and soil as warm as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Watering and Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is a good idea to invest in a support system for your plants. If you do not provide the plants with any support your eggplants are not going to have much upward growth. This will result in a crop that does not produce very much fruit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A teepee stake or a tomato cage should do enough in order to provide your eggplants with enough support to grow. You need to make sure that you are watering your eggplants daily. In weather that is hot and dry you may need to water your plants several times each day. If the surface of the soil that the plant is growing in feels dry, make sure that you water it until moist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you allow the soil to become dried out it will limit the number of eggplants that will grow. If you take the time to make sure that your plants are watered and they have plenty of sunlight you should get a great yielding crop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Gathering your Harvest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eggplant is ready to harvest when the skin appears glossy. You should take your thumb and press on the skin of the fruit to test it. If your thumb does not leave a print, the fruit is ready to harvest. As mentioned, the different varieties of eggplants require different amounts of time to grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The smaller versions will be ready much sooner than the regular sized versions. When you cut the fruit from the stem it is important to make sure that you leave the calyx intact. You also want to make sure that you do not cut the stem as you will want it to stay intact so that the plant does not start to rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can store your harvested fruits in an area that does not get above 55 degrees. They can be stored for up to two weeks in a dark and cool location before you use them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Storing Eggplant
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After harvesting your eggplant, don’t rinse or wash them. Gently remove the excess dirt and debris with your fingers. Wrap each eggplant in a kitchen towel or place them in a paper bag. This strategy helps to absorb any moisture coming from the eggplant as it cures. 
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You can then add your eggplant to a sealable container, and store them in the crisper drawer of the fridge. Under optimal refrigeration, your eggplant will last for five to seven days before it starts to turn soft. We recommend that you store your eggplants whole, slicing and storing in plastic bags will turn them mushy overnight.\u00a0
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You can store picked eggplants at room temperature for a few days before thy start to turn soft. However, climates above 54F will see the eggplants spoil quickly. Keep them out of the direct sunlight after harvesting. Storing your eggplant in a root cellar offers optimal environmental conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10. Eggplant Pests
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As the ground thaws in the springtime, billions of insects start to hatch.
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In the search for food and reproduction, the bugs wind up on your eggplants, looking for a free lunch at the expense of your crop. You’ll need to inspect your plants for pest at least once a week from the beginning of summer for signs of insect invaders. Here are the most common types of pests affecting eggplant.
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Colorado potato beetle \u2013 The adult beetle is gold in color, with 10-black vertical stripes down the back. The beetles lay eggs at the base of the plant and on the branches, with the larvae tunneling into the stems, causing wilting and yellowing of the leaves.
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Spider mite \u2013 These pests look like miniature spiders, and they weave a web around the tops of the eggplant. Spider mites suck the sap from the eggplant, leaves, and stems, causing yellowing and wilting of the leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Eggplant Disease
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Pests are a problem for any gardener, but they are not the only threat to your eggplants. Bacterial and fungal diseases attack plants in the early summertime. If your plant contracts a pathogen, it results in lower yields and damage to the plant that could spread throughout all the other plants in your crop. Check your plants every week for signs of diseases, especially after rain.
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Bacterial wilt \u2013 This disease starts by wilting one or two leaves every day but steadily increases its effects on ruining the foliage as the week progresses. The stem remains upright and firm, but all of the foliage starts to turn yellow and dies off. This disease can survive for months in dead plant material and the roots of the eggplant.
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Cercospora leaf spot \u2013 Affects the stems and leaves while the fruit remains unaffected by the disease. The eggplant develops tiny yellow spots on the leaves with grey fuzz in the center, with a brown outer ring.
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Verticillium wilt \u2013This soil-borne pathogen blocks the vascular system of the eggplant, causing wilting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Build a Trellis
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When eggplants start to get over a foot tall, it’s time to add a trellis to your garden. As the plant matures and prepares to yield fruit, build an A-frame trellis, covering the entire growing area. We recommend you use mesh netting and wooden stakes to create the frame. 
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As the tops of the eggplant touch the trellis, train them into the mesh. When the plant starts to bear fruit, it relies on the support of the lattice to carry the weight, instead of the stems of the plant. As a result of not having to deal with the stress of developing a sturdy stem, the plant can focus its energy into producing the fruit instead. 
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If you use a mesh trellis, then don’t worry about trying to keep it till the following season. When fruiting finishes, cut the lattice and prune the eggplant. If you are preserving the roots, then bury the roots and stems under sand or mulch till the following spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Invite Pollinators
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Some eggplant breeder produces seeds that yield self-pollinating plants. However, if you are using traditional seeds, then you will need to invite pollinators into your garden to help with the production process. Individual pollinators like bumblebees, shake the stems of the flowers that pop up on the plant. 
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As they go from flower to flower, they fertilize the plant, causing the start of the fruiting process and the development of eggplants fruits. Without pollinators, you won’t be able to grow any eggplants. If your garden doesn’t get any bees visiting during the early parts of the season, you’ll have to fertilize the flowers yourself using a cue-tip. Another good strategy is to touch the stems of the flowers with an electric toothbrush to stimulate the buzzing of a bumblebee or carpet bee. A week after fertilizing the flowers, cut them off to preserve the plant’s energy, and enhance the fruiting process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Egg Plant Varieties for Your Garden
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Various types of eggplant are suitable for different growing conditions. In most cases, eggplants like a warm environment, and they do well in temperatures between 70 and 85-degrees Fahrenheit. Here are our top four choices for your garden.
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Ichiban \u2013 This variety of eggplant is a hybrid, producing longer and thinner fruit than the traditional fruits you see available in the store. However, they are heavy producers, and you can expect a dozen or more eggplants in a single growing season from one plant.
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Black Beauty \u2013 This is the traditional eggplant that everyone knows and loves. While we prefer the Ichiban, the black beauty is or the second choice, and it yields around four to six fruits during the season.
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Little Fingers \u2013 These are smaller plants meant for a windowsill or indoor gardens. The plants produce smaller fruit more frequently, making them the ideal addition for a singles dinner. 
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Easter Egg \u2013 Avoid this ornamental eggplant, as you can’t eat the fruit.
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