When to plant eggplant?

Eggplant prefers warm climate and plenty of sunshine. If planted in early spring, it can often produce high yields and can be put on the market earlier, thus bringing higher economic benefits. Therefore, many farmers will start preparing to plant eggplant around Qingming Festival. Let’s learn and understand in detail below: When to plant eggplant?

1. When should eggplant be planted?

In the cooler northern regions, eggplant is usually sown and raised between March and April, and the plants can be transplanted after about 50 days. In the warm south, spring sowing is usually carried out in mid-to-late March, and the plants can be transplanted about 30 days later. For eggplant varieties planted in greenhouses in spring, the earliest sowing time can be advanced to November to December. The seedling period is about 70 to 120 days, after which transplanting can be carried out. The specific sowing and transplanting time should be flexibly adjusted according to local temperature conditions. The ideal temperature range for eggplant seeds to germinate is 25 to 35°C, with a minimum temperature of 11°C. If the temperature is below 10°C, the germination process of eggplant may be hindered.

2. What are the key points in growing eggplant?

1. Seedling cultivation and transplanting management

To successfully grow eggplant in early spring, choose varieties that mature early, are cold-tolerant, resistant to pests and diseases, and can grow in low-light conditions. When treating seeds, the variable temperature method can be used, that is, first treating them at 30℃ for 16 hours and then transferring them to 20℃ for 8 hours. Such treatment helps to improve the consistency of germination. Next, germinate the seeds at 28°C, making sure the seeds remain moist. When more than 80% of the seeds have germinated, they can be sown.

When planting eggplants, avoid continuous planting of Solanaceae crops and choose flat plots with loose soil and good drainage. Before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer to ensure that there are sufficient nutrients during the eggplant growth cycle. The base fertilizer should be mainly fully decomposed organic fertilizer and potassium sulfate. After applying the base fertilizer, deep till the soil to ensure that the fertilizer is evenly distributed. Water the plants sufficiently about 10 days before planting to increase the survival rate. When transplanting, choose a sunny morning or after 4 pm to avoid operations on rainy days. Since eggplant plants are relatively large, the plant spacing should be reasonably controlled, generally kept at around 30 cm.

2. Water and fertilizer management

After the eggplant is planted, water it once a week in the early stage, and then drip irrigation or flooding irrigation is carried out according to the soil moisture. During the growth process of eggplant, top dressing should be applied in time. Usually, the first top dressing should be done when the eggplant begins to swell, applying about 15 kg of urea or 20 kg of ammonium sulfate per mu, and then top dressing should be done every 15 to 20 days.

3. Pruning and thinning

Eggplant has lush branches and leaves. If they are not trimmed in time, it will affect ventilation and light. The side branches below the first branch, as well as the old leaves, yellow leaves and deformed fruits below the gate eggplant should be removed in time to enhance the ventilation and light transmission of the plant. When the eggplant has produced 7 fruits, it should be topped continuously to promote fruit growth and increase yield.

4. Pest and disease control

Common pests of eggplant include red spider mites and aphids, and major diseases include damping-off disease and Verticillium wilt. Taking timely prevention and control measures according to the occurrence patterns of diseases and pests can effectively reduce their impact on crops.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and key points of eggplant. There are many varieties of eggplant. You can choose suitable varieties according to regional climatic conditions and formulate appropriate planting and management plans.