Among other vegetable garden crops, I grow eggplants on my plot. I plant them in seedlings and only in a greenhouse, since this culture is quite thermophilic. I don’t give preference to any particular variety, I like to experiment. So, for example, last season I grew Black Handsome eggplant and was completely satisfied with it. From an area of approximately 1 sq.m, I collected an average of 7 kg of dark purple, almost black, pear-shaped fruits weighing up to 200 g each. The texture of the pulp is dense, but tender, the peel is thin.
Rules for growing seedlings and caring for them
Seed preparation
I sorted them and disinfected them by soaking them for half an hour in a saturated solution of potassium permanganate in order to reduce the risk of infection of plants by pathogens, the pathogens of which may be on seeds.
And in order to stimulate further active germination of the seed, I keep it in a solution of natural stimulant such as sodium humate (according to the instructions), or in a solution of wood ash, stirring 2 tbsp. in 1 liter of hot water
Container for seedlings and soil
The root system of eggplant seedlings is weak, it can easily be damaged during transplantation, which is why I did not sow them first in one container, and planted each seed in a separate one, so as not to resort to picking later plants. I did not spend money on special store pots for seedlings. As a container, I used large plastic glasses, having made drainage holes in their bottoms with an awl.
I also prepared the soil myself, taking 1 part of peat and 0.5 parts of rotted sawdust and coarse sand for 2 parts of compost humus.
I put the containers themselves on the windowsill so that the seedlings then receive maximum daylight. But since the spring days are not yet very long, I illuminated them in the evening with a fluorescent lamp (I could not find a special phytolamp).
Sowing
- Before sowing, I wrapped the seeds in a damp cloth and, wrapping it in a plastic bag so that it did not dry out, left it for 5 days near a warm battery.
- Five days later, the seeds hatched and a sprout appeared on each. I sowed them in glasses filled with prepared soil, placing 2-3 seeds in each with their deepening up to 2 cm.
- After sowing, he sprinkled the seeds with a thin layer of loose earth, which he compacted a little. I did not water afterwards, because the seeds were still sufficiently moistened.
- Then he covered each glass with plastic wrap to keep the temperature under it at least +25°C.
- When the seeds germinate and green sprouts appear above the soil surface, I leave only one of them - the strongest and healthiest in appearance. The rest I ruthlessly delete.
Watering and fertilizing eggplant seedlings
I watered it in the morning, about once every 5 days, using filtered settled water at room temperature. After watering, carefully, trying not to touch the roots of the seedlings, loosened the soil around them with a wooden stick.
The first dressing of the seedlings of the Black Beauty was carried out with mineral fertilizers 2 weeks after the appearance of the first two true leaves on the sprouts. In the future, he carried out top dressing of plants with a solution of bird droppings and a solution, independently prepared from a mixture of ammonium nitrate (0.5 g), superphosphate (1.5 g), potassium sulfate (1 g), which mixed with 1 liter of water. I could also use special store-bought fertilizers, but even without them, eggplant seedlings went well for me.
Transplanting seedlings in a greenhouse
Transplanting seedlings of any crop into open ground is always the strongest stress for her. In order to at least slightly adapt the seedlings of the Black Beauty to the new conditions, a few days before the procedure I stopped watering them and subjected them to hardening, slightly opening the window frame for a while, while not creating in the room draft.
Transplantation of seedlings in a greenhouse was carried out in the first half of June, in the evening, but even before sunset. Before removing the seedlings from the seedlings, I poured plenty of soil into them with water so that the earthen ball would not collapse during the transplantation. Wells in the garden before planting also spilled water.
Further care for the Black Beauty
It is not much different from the agrotechnical rules for cultivating eggplants of any other variety. This is timely watering (without overflow) with warm water, as well as top dressing with mineral and organic fertilizers. Moreover, the first top dressing was carried out 10 days after planting the seedlings in the greenhouse, the second - after another 10 days. Well, the third - at the beginning of fruiting.
I did not forget about pest control, using both special store-bought chemicals and folk remedies (ground black pepper, nettle infusion, wormwood).
In general, for all its exactingness in terms of planting and cultivation, the Black Handsome eggplant variety did not disappoint me. For growing in a greenhouse in the middle lane, it is quite suitable.
Read also: Eggplant Clorinda: variety description
Another related article: Cucumber seedlings: which cups to choose for convenience and benefit
Friends, do not forget to subscribe to the channel and leave a LIKE if the article is useful!
#eggplant#eggplant variety black handsome#garden