Aubergines

[katynewbie]

I have three lovely healthy, green, two feet tall plants in pots in the GH. They show no sign of flowers yet. Is it late? Where did I go wrong? Any advice?

[katynewbie]

[antipodes]

Mine are outdoors, sowed in February! And I am only just now getting flowers! So don't think it's too late. Once the fruit start, they grow pretty quickly.
I love aubergine flowers, they are the most beautiful on the veg plants, such a lovely purple colour.

[saddad]

We have only just got flowers here Katy  :)

[1066]

from what I understand about Aubergines, they are slow starters. Mine have had a few flowers, but no signs yet of the fruit!

[Uncle_Filthster]

I got a couple of moneymaker plants to try as I've never tried growing aubergine before.  Both are about 18" tall and produced their first flowers last week.  I noticed there were plenty of new flowers forming on them too today so hopefully I'll have a fruit or two.

[queenbee]

Aubergines need a long growing period. Mine are flowering and one or two have small fruit forming, a bit like tomatoes behind the flower. I have tried to grow them before and they have failed, however, I have an old gardening book that recommends that at 12 inches high pinch out the tip and only allow five flowers on each plant. It seems to be working as I now have a better result than previous years. Worth a try. 

[vitruvius8]

I have 2 plants in the greenhouse and 2 in the polytunnel, never grown them before so just let them do their thing! got good sized fruit on both !!

[Vinlander]

Aubergines need a long growing period. Mine are flowering and one or two have small fruit forming, a bit like tomatoes behind the flower. I have tried to grow them before and they have failed, however, I have an old gardening book that recommends that at 12 inches high pinch out the tip and only allow five flowers on each plant. It seems to be working as I now have a better result than previous years. Worth a try. 

If you are growing small-fruited kinds you don't need to thin the flowers as much - though the main advantage is that you don't  lose as much if some get nibbled - eggfruit and baskets come to mind.

In a bad year you might only get one big fruit per plant - and if you lose that it is most irritating...

In a really bad year (2007, 2008) you might get one small fruit from 'slim jim' and bugger-all from 'long black'.

Slim jim is so ornamental that you haven't wasted your time even if you get nothing.

Cheers.

[Alex133]

Caliope is very pretty (purple/cream stripes) and I find quite prolific but only in a non-humid sunny greenhouse. Never bother with any special pollination, pinching out or thinning fruits. Already some just about big enough to eat.