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Most gardeners believe that eggplant is a whimsical, thermophilic culture that is difficult to grow in the middle climatic zone of Russia. However, this opinion is erroneous, and unsuccessful cultivation practice is most likely associated with the wrong choice of seed variety or with non-compliance with the cultivation rules. Below are the best eggplant varieties adapted to relatively harsh weather conditions and recommendations for growing them.
Variety selection
The middle zone of Russia is characterized by a short and rather cool summer. In this regard, for cultivation, you should select eggplant varieties that are not too demanding on the light regime. Also, the best harvest can be obtained if there is a greenhouse or greenhouse, which will become protection from wind and bad weather, and will keep warm at night. Disembarkation eggplant in open ground it is also possible, however, in this case, the planting method must be seedling, and young plants must be protected by a film cover.
The most adapted, cold-resistant varieties of eggplant for growth and fruiting in mid-latitude conditions include:
Purple Haze
Eggplant, which grows well both in open areas and in greenhouses, greenhouses. It belongs to the category of early maturing, since it ripens in 90-105 days after sowing the seeds. The bush is compact enough, no higher than 70 cm, in care it requires regular feeding, loosening. For relatively modest care, the plant will thank the owner with a decent harvest in the amount of up to 15 kg / m2.
The taste and appearance of the vegetable are excellent: the pulp is snow-white, does not contain bitterness, the peel is thin, light purple or bright purple. The shape of the vegetable is cylindrical, the length is small - up to 18 cm.
King of the north
One of the most cold-resistant varieties. It was bred specifically for relatively cold climates, in which it grows well, bears fruit abundantly. The culture is early maturing, it takes no more than 100 days after sowing to return the first harvest. This variety has excellent fruit set, which allows you to achieve a yield of up to 15 kg / m2.
The plant has a modest size, up to 40 cm in height, which makes it convenient for growing in greenhouses and in open areas, protected by a polyethylene shelter.
In addition to its excellent survival rate, the variety has an excellent taste, thin, delicate skin. The flesh of the fruit is snow-white, extremely tender and absolutely does not contain bitterness. The vegetable itself is quite long (up to 35 cm), cylindrical in shape.
Valentine F1
A very early ripe hybrid, ripening 90-95 days after sowing the seeds. Mainly grown outdoors, resistant to low temperatures.
Eggplants of this variety have excellent taste and appearance. Its rind is thin, dark purple, or rather even black. The length of the vegetable reaches 26 cm, and the weight exceeds 200 g. The pulp is white, does not taste bitter and is perfect for creating all kinds of culinary delights. The only drawback of the variety is its relatively modest yield - up to 5kg / m2.
Long purple
An early ripening variety that ripens in a greenhouse in 95 days. The plant is very compact, adapted to grow in sheltered and open conditions. The yield of the variety is low - up to 5 kg / m2however, it can be increased by artificial pollination during flowering.
The length of the fruits varies from 12 to 24 cm, respectively, and the weight of the vegetable can be at the level of 100-300 g, depending on the growing conditions. The eggplant pulp is juicy, soft, white.
Siberian early maturing 148
The brainchild of domestic selection, bred specifically for growing in central Russia. The variety has exceptional resistance to low temperatures and poor climatic conditions. An excellent harvest is guaranteed by breeders even in Siberia already 105 days after sowing.
The culture is grown both in greenhouse conditions and in open areas. The bushes are low, compact, yield up to 6 kg / m2... The average weight of a vegetable is 200g.
Another hybrid of the West Siberian selection, the Siberian argument F1, is also characterized by similar agrotechnical characteristics and high adaptability to cool summer weather, a short light period.
Early dwarf 921
A popular variety among eggplant lovers. He received his fame not only because of the ability to bear fruit abundantly in the conditions of middle climatic latitudes, but also because of its excellent taste, unpretentious care. The period of fruit ripening does not exceed 100 days from the day of sowing the seeds. The yield of the variety in a greenhouse reaches 10 kg / m2.
The eggplants are pear-shaped, with a dark purple skin. The average weight of a vegetable is about 250 g.
Epic F1
Ultra-ripe hybrid: a little over 64 days pass from seed germination to fruiting. Grown in open areas, bears fruit up to 6 kg / m2.
The eggplants are teardrop-shaped, with a black-purple rind. Their length reaches 21 cm, and their weight is 230 g. The taste of the vegetable is good.
Diamond
One of the best varieties, which is included in the TOP-5 of the most demanded eggplants. Its good yield (8 -10 kg / m2), excellent taste and unpretentious care are the main advantages of the variety. It is perfectly adapted to the climate of central Russia.
The bush is low (up to 55 cm), adapted to open ground and hotbeds, greenhouses. Fruiting 110 days after sowing the seed. Eggplants are small (length up to 17 cm, weight up to 160g), but very tasty. Their flesh is dense, greenish, with a sweet aftertaste. The vegetable is ideal for creating culinary dishes and winter preparations.
Czech early
An early maturing variety of eggplant, suitable for growing in greenhouses, hotbeds and outdoor areas. When planting seedlings in May, the first harvest can be tested in August. The plant is relatively short, up to 50 cm high.Unfortunately, the yield does not exceed 5 kg / m2.
Eggplants of this variety are egg-shaped. Their weight reaches 600 g.
Northern Blues F1
An early ripening hybrid, excellent for growing even in the harsh conditions of Siberia. Lands exclusively in a greenhouse. The considerable height of the bush (up to 170 cm) implies a mandatory garter.
Lilac eggplants, oval in shape with a diameter of up to 18 cm.Unfortunately, the yield of this northern variety does not exceed 3 kg / m2.
Alenka
The variety is unique not only for its adaptability to harsh climatic conditions, but also for its unusual light green skin color for eggplant. The culture is early maturing, its fruits ripen 110 days after sowing. Adapted exclusively to the conditions of the greenhouse.
The eggplant pulp is greenish, sweet, which allows you to consume the vegetable raw. Fruit length up to 15 cm, weight up to 320g, yield 8 kg / m2.
Fluff
A bright representative white varieties of eggplant... It is a small oval fruit with a white flesh and a very pleasant taste. The average weight of an eggplant reaches 200 g.
The culture is grown only in greenhouses, perfectly adapted to the middle latitudes. 105 days after sowing the seeds, the active fruiting phase begins. The plant is tall - up to 180 cm, requires a garter.Despite the fact that the fruits are relatively small, their mass makes it possible to achieve a yield of up to 5 kg / m2.
Amethyst
An excellent early maturing variety, adapted to open field conditions even when cultivated in mid-latitudes. You can enjoy the harvest within 100 days after sowing the seed of this variety. The yield is large enough (up to 8 kg / m2), which allows you to prepare a vegetable for the winter.
Dark purple eggplant, pear-shaped, has white flesh, excellent taste, without bitterness... Its rind is thin, tender. The average weight of the fruit is 250 g.
Kirovsky
One of the best varieties of domestic selection. Adapted to low temperatures and lack of light. The ripening period is minimal and does not exceed 90-95 days. The plant is very compact, no more than 65 cm high.At the same time, the crop yield reaches 5 kg / m2.
Eggplants are small, up to 15 cm long, with a dark purple color. The pulp of the fruit is snow-white, juicy, dense.
In addition to the listed varieties, the following Matrosik varieties are adapted to the harsh climatic conditions, Swan, Nutcracker and some others. You can get acquainted with some of them in the video:
Growing rules
In the middle latitudes of Russia, eggplants are mainly grown in seedlings. Seeds pre-grown in small cups at home. Eggplants have a long growing season and the plant needs about 2 weeks for the seed to germinate. The grown seedlings are hardened 2 weeks before the dive into the ground, periodically taking them out into the street.
The soil in a greenhouse or in a garden bed must be prepared. To do this, it is heated with the help of special additives or mulch. Sand, ash, peat and other components that are present in a glass with seedlings are introduced into the soil. This will allow the plant to take root painlessly in new conditions.
Eggplants are particularly demanding on the microclimate of the environment in which they grow. They love watering, but at the same time they do not tolerate excessively high humidity. Warmth and ventilation are also prerequisites for growth. A favorable microclimate for eggplants in a greenhouse can be created only with regular ventilation and watering. In the case of planting a plant on open ground, it is necessary to provide wind protection in the form of artificial screens, tall plants. Shelter with plastic wrap is also an excellent option for open areas, but this can only be done when choosing seeds of low-growing eggplant.
During the period of active growth, it is necessary to pinch the bush, so that 6-8 ovaries remain on the plant, this will allow the fruits to successfully form and ripen in a timely manner. Top dressing is also a prerequisite for a rich harvest. Particular attention should be paid to nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
Harvesting requires compliance with some rules:
- the fruits are removed upon reaching the characteristic color of the peel;
- regular harvesting will allow young eggplants to ripen safely;
- if you want to prepare seeds of a certain variety, 1-2 fruits can be left until full biological maturation.
Some tips for growing are shown in the video:
Conclusion
Eggplants are considered an exceptionally heat-loving crop, however, with the help of breeders, it has perfectly adapted to the conditions of middle climatic latitudes. By choosing the best varieties of eggplants, and providing a favorable microclimate for them, each gardener will be able to get delicious vegetables for consumption in the season and winter harvesting.
