Use starter fertilizer for transplanting. Side-dress nitrogen fertilizer when the plants are half grown and again immediately after harvest of the first fruits. Given sufficient moisture and fertility, eggplant thrives in the heat of summer. The plants tolerate dry weather after they are well established but should be irrigated during extended dry periods for continued peak production. 

Large Oval Fruit Dusky (60 days to harvest, good size, early production) Epic (64 days, tear-drop shaped) Black Bell (68 days, round to oval, productive) Black Magic (72 days) Classic (76 days, elongated oval, high quality) Black Beauty (OP-80 days) Burpee Hybrid (80 days) Ghostbuster (80 days; white, slightly sweeter than purple types; 6 to 7 inch oval). Elongated Fruit Ichiban (70 days) Slim Jim (OP-70 days; lavender, turning purple when peanut-sized; good in pots) Little Fingers (OP-68 days; 6 to 8 inch, long, slim fruit in clusters). Ornamental Fruit Easter Egg (52 days; small white, egg-sized, shaped, turning yellow at maturity; edible ornamental)  

Eggplant is best started from transplants. Select plants in cell packs or individual containers. It is important to get the plants off to a proper start. Do not plant too early. Transplant after the soil has warmed and the danger of frost has passed. Eggplants are more susceptible than tomato plants to injury from low temperatures and do not grow until temperatures warm.

 

Harvest the fruits when they are 6 to 8 inches long and still glossy. Use a knife or pruning shears rather than breaking or twisting the stems. Many eggplant varieties have small prickly thorns on the stem and calyx, so exercise caution or wear gloves when harvesting. Leave the large (usually green) calyx attached to the fruit.

 

Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in the row, or even closer for small fruited types. Three to six plants are usually sufficient for most families unless eggplant is a favorite vegetable, eaten often. Allow 30 to 36 inches between rows or space plants 24 inches apart in all directions in raised beds.

 

Moist, Well-Drained
 

Full Sun
 

Fresh
 

Environmental Damage

• Drought
• Drowning and Edema

Fungal Disease

• Phytophthora Blight [Vegetables] (Phytophthora spp. [water molds])
• Verticillium Wilt [Vegetables] (Verticillium albo-atrum and V. dahliae)

Herbicide Injury

• Amino Acid (ALS) Inhibitor Herbicide Injury
• Photosynthesis (PSI and PSII) Inhibitor Herbicide Injury
• Pigment Inhibitor Herbicide Injury
• Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Herbicide Injury

Insect Damage

• Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
• Flea Beetles (several genera)
• Potato Leafhopper [Vegetables] (Empoasca fabae)

Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:

Insects

• Aphids
• Tarnish plant bug

Diseases

• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum sp.)
• Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici)
• Phomopsis blight (Phomopsis vexans)
• Southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii)

Eggplant is a cold-sensitive vegetable that requires a long warm season for best yields. The culture of eggplant is similar to that of bell pepper, with transplants being set in the garden after all danger of frost is past. Eggplants are slightly larger plants than peppers and are spaced slightly farther apart. Eggplant requires careful attention for a good harvest. Small-fruited, exotic-colored and ornamental varieties can be grown in containers and used for decorations.

 

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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