Content
Eggplant Khalif is an unpretentious variety that is resistant to temperature fluctuations. The variety is distinguished by its elongated fruit and good taste without bitterness. Suitable for indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Variety characteristics
Description of the Khalif eggplant variety:
- average ripening time;
- 115-120 days pass from germination to harvesting;
- semi-spreading bush;
- plant height up to 0.7 m;
- lack of thorns.
Features of the Khalif fruit:
- elongated clavate shape;
- slightly curved fruit;
- length 20 cm;
- diameter 6 cm;
- dark purple color;
- glossy surface;
- weight 250 g;
- whitish flesh;
- lack of bitter taste.
The Khalifa variety has universal application. Its fruits are used to prepare snacks and side dishes. In home canning, eggs are obtained from eggplants, they are marinated with other vegetables, and an assortment is prepared for the winter.
Khalifa eggplants are removed 30 days after flowering. Overripe fruits lose their taste. The vegetables are cut with a secateurs. The shelf life of eggplants is limited. The fruits are stored in the refrigerator for no more than a month.
Growing order
Khalif eggplants are grown through seedlings that are obtained at home. Seeds are planted in prepared soil, and the necessary microclimate is provided to the sprouts. In cool climates, plants are grown under cover.
Planting seeds
Planting work begins in March. Previously, the seeds of the Khalif eggplant are processed. For 3 days, the planting material is kept in a solution of potassium humate. For disinfection, the seeds are placed in a solution of the Fitosporin preparation.
The soil for eggplant seedlings is prepared in the fall. It is obtained by combining peat, compost and garden soil in a ratio of 6: 2: 1. It is allowed to use a purchased substrate for vegetable crops, which contains the necessary components.
Khalif eggplant seedlings are grown in cassettes or cups. It is not recommended to plant seeds in boxes, as the plants do not tolerate picking well.
Eggplant seeds are buried 1 cm into moistened soil. The plantings are covered with foil to obtain a greenhouse effect. Eggplant germination occurs in 10-15 days. During this period, the moisture content of the soil is monitored and the film is periodically turned over.
Seedling conditions
After germination, the Khalif eggplants are transferred to a lighted place. Landings are provided with the necessary conditions:
- temperature regime during the day 20-24 ° С;
- night temperature is not lower than 16 ° С;
- introduction of moisture;
- airing the room;
- lighting for 12-14 hours.
Eggplant seedlings are watered with warm water. Drying of the top layer of the soil indicates the need to add moisture.
Plants require constant lighting. If the daylight hours are not long enough, then a backlight is installed above the seedlings. It is better to use fluorescent or phytolamps. Lighting devices are turned on in the morning or in the evening.
With the development of 1-2 leaves in Khalif eggplants, they need to be transplanted into larger containers. When growing in cups or cassettes, you can do without picking. The safest method for plants is the transshipment method. Seedlings are planted in larger containers without breaking the earthen lump.
Plants are placed on the balcony 2 weeks before planting. At first, the planting is kept in the fresh air for several hours, gradually this period is increased.Hardening will help plants adapt faster in a permanent location.
Landing in the ground
Eggplants are transferred to a greenhouse or to an open bed at the age of 2-2.5 months. Plants have 7-10 leaves, and the stem height reaches 25 cm.
The soil for growing crops is prepared in the fall. Eggplants develop best in sandy loam soil or loam. The site should be well lit by the sun and not exposed to wind load.
In the autumn, when digging the earth, humus is introduced. The properties of clay soil are improved with coarse sand.
If peppers, tomatoes or potatoes grew in the garden a year earlier, then another place should be chosen. Re-planting of the culture is possible only after 3 years.
In the spring, the soil in the beds is loosened with a rake and planting holes are prepared. A handful of wood ash is placed in each of them and a little earth is poured. Leave 30-40 cm between the plants.
After abundant watering, seedlings are placed in the planting hole. The roots of the plants are covered with earth, which is compacted a little.
Care scheme
According to reviews, Khalifa eggplants bring a high yield with regular care. Plants are watered, fed with organic matter or mineral solutions.
As plants develop, they need support in the form of a wooden or metal bar. It is also necessary to tie up brushes with fruits. 5-6 of the most powerful ovaries are left on the bushes, the rest are cut off.
Watering
Eggplant Khalifa requires constant moisture. Its lack leads to shedding of ovaries and wilting of leaves.
The intensity of watering is determined by the stage of plant development. Before flowering, eggplants are watered every 5-7 days. In drought, moisture is introduced every 3-4 days. To maintain the moisture content of the soil, its surface is mulched with peat.
For watering the plants, they take warm, settled water with a temperature of 25 ° C. It is poured strictly at the root, do not allow it to fall on the leaves and stems of eggplants. To prevent water jets from washing out the soil, use special spray nozzles for watering cans.
After watering, the soil is loosened to prevent crusting. Loosening saturates the soil with oxygen, and plant roots absorb nutrients better.
Top dressing
Regular feeding strengthens the immune system and increases the yield of Khalifa eggplant. For feeding, solutions from minerals or organic matter are used. It is best to alternate such treatments with an interval of 2-3 weeks.
Before flowering, eggplants are fed with nitrogen-containing products. A mullein solution is poured under the root of the plants in a ratio of 1:15. Of minerals used diammofosku in the amount of 20 g per 10 liters of water.
After flowering, Khalif's eggplants are watered with solutions based on potassium and phosphorus. For a 10-liter bucket of water, take 30 g of potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Nitrogen should be discarded so that the strength of the plant does not go to the formation of shoots.
Instead of minerals, wood ash is used. It is added to water when watering or embedded in the ground.
Diseases and pests
The Khalif variety is resistant to verticillium and fusarium wilt. Diseases are provoked by a fungus that penetrates plant tissues. As a result, the leaves wither, the harvest dies. Affected bushes cannot be treated, they are destroyed. The remaining plantings are treated with Fitosporin or Baktofit preparations.
For the prevention of diseases, planting material and garden tools are disinfected. The greenhouse is regularly ventilated and the soil moisture is monitored.
Insects often become carriers of diseases. Eggplants are susceptible to attack by the Colorado potato beetle, spider mites, aphids, slugs. To protect plants from pests, dusting with tobacco dust or wood ash helps.Of the chemicals used, Karbofos or Kltan.
Gardeners reviews
Conclusion
Khalif eggplants are valued for their simplicity, yield and good taste. The culture is grown through seedlings. Seeds are planted at home. Variety care consists in watering, fertilizing and loosening the soil. Subject to agricultural technology, plants are not very susceptible to diseases.
