Q. I
have grown plants in whiskey barrels every year with a good harvest. This year
my eggplants have grown bigger than ever, beautiful, look healthy and have lots
of purple flowers but almost no fruit. Since planting it’s just been one giant
flower bush. Why is it not producing fruit?
have grown plants in whiskey barrels every year with a good harvest. This year
my eggplants have grown bigger than ever, beautiful, look healthy and have lots
of purple flowers but almost no fruit. Since planting it’s just been one giant
flower bush. Why is it not producing fruit?
A. I
am guessing it is a combination of probably three things; variety, weather
conditions and general care. Stick to varieties of eggplant that have done well
for you in the past. Don’t just buy any eggplant off the shelf and expect the
same results. Varieties are important.
am guessing it is a combination of probably three things; variety, weather
conditions and general care. Stick to varieties of eggplant that have done well
for you in the past. Don’t just buy any eggplant off the shelf and expect the
same results. Varieties are important.
.JPG) |
| Purple Thai eggplant, a good variety for the Mojave desert if you like Asian style eggplant |
Secondly
is the weather. At very high temperatures many vegetables will fail to set
fruit. This is because the pollen may become sterile at high temperatures and
the fruit will start to develop and fall off. Some varieties are better at
setting fruit at high temperatures than others.
is the weather. At very high temperatures many vegetables will fail to set
fruit. This is because the pollen may become sterile at high temperatures and
the fruit will start to develop and fall off. Some varieties are better at
setting fruit at high temperatures than others.
Thirdly
is soil enrichment and fertilizing. If your soil has been amended with a good
quality compost prior to planting then I would not fertilize with any nitrogen
fertilizer until I saw fruit developed that was a couple of inches long.
is soil enrichment and fertilizing. If your soil has been amended with a good
quality compost prior to planting then I would not fertilize with any nitrogen
fertilizer until I saw fruit developed that was a couple of inches long.
.JPG) |
| Eggplant forming fruit in July |
If
the soil is enriched heavily with good compost and then we fertilize the plants
with high nitrogen fertilizers we can end up with wonderful vegetable bushes
with little to no fruit.
I
would suggest you mulch the plants as well. This will help keep soil moisture
more constant. If soil moisture goes up and down during the day, the plant may
drop flowers or fruit as well.
would suggest you mulch the plants as well. This will help keep soil moisture
more constant. If soil moisture goes up and down during the day, the plant may
drop flowers or fruit as well.
Less
likely is a lack of bee activity. I am guessing your bee activity has been
about the same as previous years so that it is not likely to be the problem.
likely is a lack of bee activity. I am guessing your bee activity has been
about the same as previous years so that it is not likely to be the problem.