50+ Organic Black Beauty Eggplant seeds-Italian Strain- Solanum Melongena- Non GMO- Heirloom Variety
Description:
The Black Beauty Eggplant is one of the easiest eggplants to grow. It is a very prolific grower. Growing eggplant is a must if you’re a fan of outdoor grilling! These stately plants grow well and look beautiful in containers, ornamental borders, raised beds, and traditional in-ground gardens. Dark purple to almost black skinned, glossy, oblong, large fruits that form early on sturdy plants. Grown for over 100 years, this heirloom is a heavy producer with up to 12 fruits per plant, but needs lots of heat. Try it under a cloche or with some plastic mulch over the soil. Even without extra help. Black Beauty Organic eggplant seeds will be productive in coastal gardens. Expect eight to ten fruits per plant. This variety performs well in containers that are five gallons or larger. Half barrels would be perfect.
Matures in 74 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)
Season & Zone Season: Warm season
Exposure: Full-sun
Zone: 4-10
Timing Sow indoors April 1-15th using bottom heat, and keeping seedlings warm.
Optimal soil temperature: 24-32°C (75-90°F).
Germination: 7-12 days.
Starting Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep. Use individual peat or coir pots to reduce root disturbance when transplanting. Transplant with 45-60cm (18-24″) between plants. 3 to 5 gallon containers work well.
Soil: Ideal pH: 5.5-6.0. with abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the soil three weeks prior to planting. Mix ¼-½ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. Using a clear plastic cloche or floating row cover helps growth by increasing heat. Cool temperatures increase leafy growth, but prevent fruit set. Harvest Pinch off blossoms 2 to 4 weeks before first expected frost so that plants channel energy into ripening existing fruit, not producing new ones. Harvest the fruit anytime after the fruit reaches half of their size. Harvesting early prevents fruit from becoming too seedy, and will encourage more production from the plants. Do not pull the fruit off the plant, but cut it with scissors or secateurs, being careful to avoid any sharp spurs at the stem end.
