Content
Every gardener has a list of outdoor vegetables. Among the most popular are eggplants. Eggplant varieties for open ground are of interest not only because of the large selection of shapes and colors. The main criterion is unpretentiousness, high yield and nutritional value. The list of varieties suitable for growing in the open field is constantly updated. Breeders around the world are working to create more efficient types of eggplant.
New developments are based on the following properties:
- fertility;
- taste qualities;
- stability during transportability and storage;
- the ability to produce crops in adverse conditions;
- ability to resist pests and major diseases.
In addition, in order to please gardeners, breeders are developing new varieties with different shapes and colors of fruits. From the usual deep purple shade to red, yellow and white - the color palette of the usual vegetable garden eggplant. Those who like to collect seeds on their own need to grow regular varieties. But the seeds of hybrids are not suitable for sowing next year. Rather, it is quite possible to sow and wait for the fruits, but the properties of such plants will be initial, not improved. There are several reasons for choosing the best seeds. Eggplants are quite whimsical:
- do not withstand frost;
- require optimal temperature conditions;
- good yield is given in fertile soil;
- need good lighting;
- do not tolerate watering deficit.
Therefore, the choice of a variety must be approached carefully, checking all varietal indicators with the capabilities of your site.
The main criteria for the selection of varieties
Before buying eggplant seeds for growing in the open field, you need to pay attention to certain properties of the vegetable:
- Fruit ripening period... The most reliable are seeds of early maturing varieties. Currently, you can pick up at the same time and high-yielding. But, if there is a choice between the ripening period and the number of fruits, you need to choose the first one. Eggplants are very sensitive to changes in external conditions, the effects of fungal microflora, insects. Therefore, the optimal way out is to get a harvest before the onset of the peak of activity of a number of parasites.
- The shape and size of the bush... For open ground, it is good to choose medium-sized plants, the height of the bush of which does not exceed 65 cm. Good branching of the bush is appreciated. This parameter affects the number of ovaries and fruits.
- Quality seeds... Seed material should be purchased from trusted producers. This will ensure that they are properly handled and disinfected. after purchase, you can independently check the seeds for germination, and also soak them for a day before sowing.
Before choosing one of the varieties, many have difficulty. If you need to provide the family with healthy vegetables, then you can successfully grow high-yielding varieties and hybrids of ordinary color and shape.
The seeds of these varieties must be sown in early spring. An excellent recommendation of vegetable growers received varieties with the usual color:
- Alekseevsky;
- Long purple;
- Vikar;
- Purple miracle;
- Banana;
- Black Moon;
- Diamond;
- Czech early;
- Vera.
But many growers love to experiment and decorate their garden. Recently, eggplant seeds of extraordinary color have become very popular. Therefore, gardeners begin to grow white, yellow, red, striped eggplants. These vegetables perfectly decorate the table both in summer and winter. In addition, the taste of these varieties is also excellent.
The best varieties of white eggplant
Until recently, many did not know about this type of eggplant. Now seeds of white varieties can be purchased quite easily, and look at the appearance in numerous photos. White eggplants have a peculiar taste, reminiscent of mushrooms or chicken. The absence of bitterness and a large number of seeds makes such fruits an unrivaled gift for housewives.
"White Egg"
High yielding super early variety of white eggplants. The fruits are ready for consumption 65 days after full germination.
They have the shape of an egg, which is the reason for the name of the variety. The weight of each vegetable reaches 200 g. Pleasant mushroom flavor and the flavor make this type of eggplant very popular. It grows well in open ground, withstands sudden changes in temperature, transportation. The fruiting period is long, which allows for a rich harvest. Has good resistance to tobacco mosaic.
"Pelican"
An early ripe hybrid with saber-shaped fruits. The bush is low up to 70 cm, medium leafy. It grows better outdoors in warm regions. The mass of the fruits is small - up to 200 g, but the taste is excellent. The plant is very beautiful. During the flowering period, it is covered with purple flowers, and then snow-white fruits are added to them. Resistant to familiar eggplant diseases.
"Swan"
Mid-season variety among white eggplant... Ripens in 110-115 days. The seeds are sown in mid-March. Differs in good keeping quality, high yield, excellent mushroom taste. It tolerates the hot season and pests well. From 1 sq. m of soil, up to 18 kg of fruits weighing 250 g of cylindrical shape are collected. The bush is compact, 70 cm high, powerful.
"Iceberg"
Mid-season variety with oval-shaped fruits. The bush is spreading, but not high (up to 60 cm). Fruit weight - 250 g, pulp without voids, tender, without bitterness. Benefits:
- flameproof;
- good transportability;
- resistance to viral diseases.
The variety gives a stable yield of high quality fruits.
"Bibo F1"
A favorite of many gardeners for its incredible yield, ability to resist diseases, large-fruited. A mid-season hybrid with oval-conical fruits that weigh up to 500 g. The flesh of the fruit is white and tender. Seedlings are grown without picking - this makes it possible to get a harvest earlier. The bush is tall, requires a garter. The abundance of ovaries guarantees a good harvest throughout the entire fruiting period.
Eggplant - minke
Among vegetables with this color, the most familiar are "Striped Flight" and "Matrosik". The interesting color of the fruits makes them an original decoration for dishes. Try to grow grateful varieties:
"Striped flight"
A mid-season variety with excellent heat resistance, maximum fruit set in all weather conditions and reliable resistance to viral and fungal diseases. Almost thornless. Sprawling bush with a lot of ovaries. Fruits are cylindrical, weighing up to 200 g. The pulp is almost without seeds, there is no bitterness. Good for harvesting for the winter. The main methods are freezing and drying.
"Matrosik"
Refers to the type of alkaloid-free eggplant.
The skin of the fruit is very thin, the flesh is tender. Therefore, this variety is often used for fresh salads.
Mid-season variety with large fruits. Even just a few plants planted on the site will be able to fully meet the needs of the whole family. The weight of one eggplant reaches 1kg. Requires protection from the Colorado potato beetle, due to the lack of solanine. Otherwise, the care is no different from other varieties.
Multicolored eggplant
In the open field, eggplants of different colors grow well. Yellow the color of eggplant fruits is quite rare. Their taste does not differ from ordinary eggplants, but the berries contain more carotene. The representative of ornamental eggplants is the Dutch variety "Golden Eggs"shown in the photo.
Green eggplants are no longer uncommon. Among them, the most famous varieties are - Chinese Green, Emerald and Green... The shape of the fruit is different for everyone, but the taste is very pleasant.
Eggplants look very original orange (Turkish Orange), pink (Pink Flamingo), red (Japanese red) colors.
For growing in open ground, you can choose a lot of amazing varieties of eggplant, the seeds of which are not difficult to purchase, and photos are posted on the Internet and in magazines.
Cooking seeds yourself
Often the seeds for the next year, gardeners collect themselves. If the cultivated variety is not a hybrid, then the harvested seeds of conventional varieties can be used within 5 years. Before sowing, they must be checked for germination.
For harvesting seeds, it is best to choose several plants called seed plants. They are determined at the beginning of the season already during the transplanting period. On such plants, only the first fruits (2-3 pieces) are left to ripen. If the eggplant weakens or becomes diseased during development, it is discarded. Late and diseased fruits are also plucked.
Depending on the ripening period, the fruits are removed during the period of full biological ripeness. The color of the berries changes to brown or brown-yellow. The seeds harden noticeably. Then the fruits are placed in a cool place for 2-4 weeks. Then it is crushed by placing it in a bowl of water. The seeds are washed and dried.
This simple technology will help you not to lose your favorite eggplant varieties for many years.
