- Is the egg tree suitable for cool climates?
- How do I properly care for an eggplant plant?
- When can the fruit be harvested from the egg tree?
The edible fruits of the egg tree (bot. Solamun melongena) are very decorative, no matter what color they are. The dark (aubergine-colored) fruits are probably best known, but the aubergines can also be golden yellow, greenish and even striped.
The egg tree lives up to its name
Is the egg tree suitable for cool climates?
The egg tree is not hardy. It absolutely needs a lot of warmth and light to thrive. The Central European climate is therefore only partially suitable for growing aubergines. Therefore, the egg tree is often cultivated as an annual plant in this country. With the right overwintering, however, it can live for several years. The winter quarters should be light and warm (between approx. 15 °C and 18 °C).
How do I properly care for an eggplant plant?
The egg tree cannot be described as easy to care for, but the plant is not too demanding either. However, regular watering is essential, especially during growth, flowering and fruit ripening. The nutrient requirement is also considered to be rather high. If you would like to eat the fruit, it is best to use organic fertilizer for your egg tree.
The egg tree blooms from August to November. Since the outside temperatures can be very low at this time of year, you should bring your Eierbaum to a suitable winter quarters in good time. Alternatively, you can cultivate the plant from the start in a heated greenhouse or warm conservatory.
When can the fruit be harvested from the egg tree?
You can often find half-ripe aubergines in stores because the ripe fruits do not keep for very long. However, the taste of fully ripe harvested aubergines is much better, so it is best to always harvest just before eating or wait until they are fully ripe. Unripe or half-ripe fruits should only be eaten when they have been heated through.
The essentials in brief:
- fruits edible
- Plant not hardy, but perennial
- needs light and warmth to flower and mature
- be sure to water enough
- hibernate at approx. 15 °C to 18 °C
tips
Harvest the fruits from your egg tree when they are fully ripe, so they taste best.