How Do You Grow Eggplant (Solanum Melongena)?
Eggplant (Solanum melongena)is a delicious member of the nightshade family. The eggplant is a cousin to peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. Eggplants can be grown in hot or cool climates as long as there is sufficient water and full sun available. How to Sow Eggplant: Start seeds in a shallow dish with good quality potting soil. Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep. They will germinate in 10 to 20 days. The seeds need to be above 70F to germinate. Transplant the eggplant seedlings at 2 months. Place them 24 inches apart with rows 30 iches between. Eggplants prefer full sun and well drained soil. How to Care for Eggplants in the Garden: Weed and water as needed. When irrigating it is important to not get the leaves wet. Wet leaves are more prone to fungus and verticillian wilt disease (VWD). VWD is a soil born fungus. When rain drops hit the soil, the water and a little bit of soil, splash back up onto the leaves. The fungus than enters the plant through the leaves. Plants appear wilt-y and then d
