The aubergine, eggplant, melongene or brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades) and genus Solanum.
It bears a fruit of the same name, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking.
As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato and is native to Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
It is a delicate perennial often cultivated as an annual.
It grows 40 to 150 cm (16 to 57 in) tall, with large coarsely lobed leaves that are 10 to 20 cm (4–8 in) long and 5 to 10 cm (2–4 in) broad.
(Semi-)wild types can grow much larger, to 225 cm (7 ft) with large leaves over 30 cm (12 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) broad.
The stem is often spiny. The flowers are white to purple, with a five-lobed corolla and yellow stamens.
The fruit is fleshy, less than 3 centimetres (1.2 in) in diameter on wild plants, but much larger in cultivated forms.
The fruit is botanically classified as a berry, and contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.
Nutritional levels should be pH 6 - 6.5 with N, P, K, Mg indeces around 3.
Sow early October to November, or Mid-November to December, or late January to February.
Germination in 10 - 20 Days, when germinating at 20°C.
Space the seeds 2cm apart in seed trays or 2 seeds per pot under glass at 20°C. and cover lightly with compost.
When plants are 3-4 inches high plant into 9in pots or 3 plants per grow bag and placed under glass.
Outdoors - plants may be transplanted to a sunny sheltered spot.
Plants should be supported with vertical strings or canes, and also with horizontal ties or loops around the plants to keep them from sprawling.
Pruning - While 2 or 3 stems can be taken, plants can be maintained on one stem with side shoots reduced beyond the flowers which form.
The basic object is to aim for 6 - 9 fruits per plant, though this can be exceeded on longer term culture.
Lower leaves are removed as they become yellow, otherwise they will trail and become diseased.
Mulching will help conserve moisture and prevent weeds and fungal diseases.
The flowers are relatively unattractive to bees and the first blossoms often do not set fruit.
Hand pollination will improve the set of the first blossoms.
Flowers are complete, containing both female and male structures, and may be self-pollinated or cross-pollinated.
Average of 80 days to harvest.
Fruits are typically cut from the vine just above the calyx owing to the semi-woody stems.
For best flavor and minimal seeds, pick the fruits as they reach full size.
Size varies from cultivar to cultivar; some fruits are “baby” sized and others very large.
Overripe plants develop dull, soft skin and an unpalatable taste and under ripe fruits tend to have tough, bitter-tasting skin.
The raw fruit can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked and develops a rich, complex flavor.
Salting and then rinsing the sliced fruit (known as "degorging") can soften and remove much of the bitterness though this is often unnecessary.
Some modern varieties do not need this treatment, as they are far less bitter.
The fruit is capable of absorbing large amounts of cooking fats and sauces, allowing for very rich dishes, but the salting process will reduce the amount of oil absorbed.
The fruit flesh is smooth; as in the related tomato, the numerous seeds are soft and edible along with the rest of the fruit.
The thin skin is also edible, so peeling is not required.
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