Harvesting Japanese Eggplant

November 25, 2024 Post a Comment

Harvesting japanese eggplant

As a warm-weather crop, your Japanese eggplants won't survive the frost. Timing when you plant them plays a big role in how quickly they grow. Roughly, they will be ready for harvest 65 to 80 days after transplanting. Depending on your climate, this should be around July through September.

What size should you pick Japanese eggplant?

Signs of Ripe Japanese Eggplant If you press your finger on the skin, it shouldn't leave a dent in the flesh. Pick your eggplants before while they're still young for the best flavor and texture. They should only be from 3 to 6 inches long, which is young enough for the sweetest flavor.

How do you know when a purple eggplant is ripe?

The skin should be slightly elastic. And spring back when you release it if indentations remain

What size to harvest Ichiban eggplant?

Upright, thornless plants are highly productive. These tender eggplants can be stir-fried, grilled, baked or fried. Prime when picked at 6-8 inches long. This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

How do you know if an eggplant is too ripe?

A good eggplant will have glossy, taut skin. You'll also want to test the texture of the flesh. When buying an eggplant, the flesh should be firm but give slightly when pressed, then bounce back. If your eggplant is soft to the touch, that's an indication that it's beginning to spoil.

How many Japanese eggplants does one plant produce?

The long, slender Japanese eggplant has a thinner skin and more delicate flavor. 'Ichiban': 10- to 12-inch, slim, purple/black fruit; bears until frost. Expect a dozen or more fruit from one plant.

Should you stake Japanese eggplant?

Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants should be staked for optimum growth and yield (Figure 2). Staking keeps the eggplant fruit from touching the ground, which reduces disease and improves fruit shape, particularly on elongated fruit. Staking also makes harvesting easier.

Should I prune Japanese eggplant?

ANSWER: Eggplants, like fellow nightshade family member tomatoes benefit from staking and pruning. In fact, eggplant actually produces more fruit when pruned. Pruning eggplant can also improve the fruit quality of the plant, and decrease the plant's susceptibility to disease.

Are Japanese eggplant leaves edible?

Native to South Asia, eggplant is a member of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It is a botanical relative of tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Like other members of the family Solanaceae, its leaves and flowers are poisonous.

Can you pick eggplant too early?

You cannot harvest eggplants too early. Baby eggplants are a delight to eat. But you can leave them too long. Eggplant should be harvested when they are one-third to two-thirds full mature size.

Does eggplant continue to ripen off the vine?

Tomatoes, when they are fully mature in the “green stage,” will continue to ripen once they are picked. What about other vegetables in the nightshade family, like bell peppers and eggplant? Unfortunately, these vegetables will only ripen on the vine. They won't ripen any further once they are picked.

Do you refrigerate eggplant after harvest?

The best place to store eggplant is not in the refrigerator, but at room temperature, where it's likely to last longer. Keep eggplant in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, and use it as soon as possible after harvesting or buying.

How many Ichiban eggplants per plant?

They perform well in containers, and they are prolific and very early, bearing fruit just 50-60 days after transplanting – with 12 fruits per plant, on average. You can find 'Ichiban' plants in 4-inch pots from Bonnie Plants via Home Depot.

Is it OK to eat unripe eggplant?

A. Yes, eggplant is safe to eat, both raw and cooked. As a part of the nightshade, it also contains the alkaloid compound solanine. However, solanine is not present in potent doses in eggplant.

What does a ripe eggplant look like?

Ripe eggplants should be firm but not hard. Flesh should be white with a slight green tint (orange eggplants ripen orange/green inside). If you are unsure of your eggplant's ripeness, cut one crosswise and check the seeds. They should be clearly visible.

Can you eat eggplant if it's green?

Green eggplants can be used similarly to purple eggplants in cooked preparations and generally contain a sweeter, milder, and less bitter flavor.

How often do you water Japanese eggplant?

Water eggplant deeply and infrequently, applying 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulching around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.

How many years do eggplants live?

Eggplant plants can live up to three years in very warm climates, like zones 10-12. But in most regions they're grown as annuals, and only live for one season.

How do you store Japanese eggplant?

No need to tightly close the bag or cover the bowl—eggplants require airflow to stay fresh. Keep the eggplant out of direct sunlight and place it in a cool room, about 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Garages, basements, or other spaces with cold temperatures make for ideal conditions. The eggplant will stay fresh for four days.

Can you plant eggplant next to tomatoes?

Nightshades: Other members of the nightshade family, like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, make good companions for eggplants because they share similar growing requirements.