On May 22 I saw my first purple bloom from my eggplant seedlings. Unfortunately, it never set fruit since its been so ridiculously rainy here this spring. But I transplanted them out a couple weeks ago and have been hoping for the best. We had a couple of dry – well, I can’t even say day, but maybe “dry afternoons” works. And here is what has become of those eggplants:
I counted 4 blooms when I went to bed Saturday night (June 27) and woke to find 12 blooms Sunday morning! Wow. The stems of the eggplants look very thick and sturdy. These are the small round Bambino Hybrid eggplant I planted, not the traditional ones seen in stores or markets. They grow in bush form, which is interesting to think of looking at them. They certainly are shorter and more rotund than the others. Interestingly, these have all given bloom but the Fairy Tale eggplant I tried didn’t make it past the “second-stage-seedling” point. Hummm.
Karen said,
July 2, 2009 at 7:38 am
This is my first year growing eggplant, too. Mine have been blooming up a storm, but haven’t set any fruit yet. Have my fingers crossed…
Kristina said,
July 2, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I think eggplants are one of the most gorgeous plants out there. I stick them in my flower border all the time.
Sadge said,
July 3, 2009 at 12:29 pm
You could try (gently) shaking your plants, or thump each blossom, to increase the chances that the blooms are getting fertilized. The bees and other pollinators won’t be out as much in the rain.
It’s been cooler and wetter than normal, here in northern Nevada this year, too.
pam said,
July 3, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Their blooms are so pretty! I hope they become eggplants for you, even though I don’t care that much for eggplants.