In our climatic conditions, growing eggplant often becomes an overwhelming task even for experienced gardeners, and for beginners it is like a star in the sky. Such problems are due to the fact that eggplant absolutely cannot stand our summer, sharp changes in temperature and weather conditions are contraindicated for it. It requires constant heat, moderate moisture and a complete absence of wind. Let's just say that this plant requires constancy and proper care.
But there are gardeners who are able to grow eggplants even in the most changeable places in terms of weather. They are not wizards at all, they just have certain knowledge and secrets that you will learn in this article.
Seven Secrets of a Good Eggplant Harvest
No picking
This plant is very fragile, therefore, if you even touch the root a little during the dive, there is a possibility of death or stunted growth of the plant. Therefore, to prevent such situations, it is best to plant eggplants immediately in special containers. It is possible to transplant into open soil only if the "transshipment" method is used - to transfer the plant together with a lump of earth, without touching the root.
Warm bed
Eggplant roots need to be kept warm for healthy growth. Therefore, the soil temperature when planting eggplants should be at least 20 degrees.
Constantly moist soil
The only way to keep moisture evenly in the eggplant bed is to mulching... Eggplants are mulched using a dense layer of grass, straw or sawdust, using all of the above means at once.
Evening watering
Eggplants just love water, so it is unrealistic for them to survive in a dry environment. The beds on which mulching was used should be watered once a week, but those beds where eggplants grow on bare soil must be watered every other day. In very hot weather, about 30 degrees, watering can be done daily. The most effective is watering at the root, the water should be warm (about 20-25 degrees). It is imperative to water it in the evening, because then the sun does not evaporate moisture and it goes into the ground. It is also not worth pouring eggplants too much, it will be difficult for a waterlogged plant to set fruits.
Sun access and wind protection
Although eggplant cannot grow in an environment that is too dry, fruit setting is impossible without a lot of sun. There is one more problem: eggplant hates enclosed spaces, but it does not tolerate wind or draft. Gardeners somehow need to get out of this situation, so they come up with various methods. For example, if the cultivation of eggplant is carried out in a greenhouse, then you can open the window for ventilation. If the eggplants are planted in open soil, then you cannot do without creating a special structure. The structure looks like this: iron arcs are installed with a covering material that is open only on one side.
Top dressing
Eggplants are those plants that just need feeding. The first feeding of eggplants is carried out within 15-20 days after planting the plants in the ground. For the first feeding, it is recommended to use chicken manure, infusion of fermented herbs or mullein. Further, during growth, it is recommended to feed the eggplants with various phosphate fertilizers. Another great feeding tool is ash... It can be placed in holes several times a month.
Bush formation
If the eggplants have grown tall and powerful enough, then it is imperative to form a bush. The formation of the bush consists of removing unnecessary stepchildren (shoots where there are no ovaries with fruits), removing leaves that lead to shading of the plants. Some summer residents even pinch the top of the bush if its height has reached 30 centimeters. Eggplant varieties that are low in height do not require shaping. In this case, you just need to get rid of excess leaves and twigs. It is important that after processing such varieties, no more than 3 branches remain.
As a result, in order to grow healthy and beautiful eggplants, you need to remember that they do not produce fruits at low temperatures (less than 18 degrees) or very high (more than 35 degrees), do not tolerate wind and draft, and do not relate to excessive and insufficient moisture. Following the seven rules described above, you will never be left without a proper eggplant harvest, the main thing is not to spare your time, and if the rules describe that eggplants cannot stand the wind, then you need to create the necessary shelter for them.
