What can I expect?

[huntoften]

This is my first year growing eggplant. I have a half dozen plants I started from seed. They are all in big, black pots and doing very well. I had a little problem with flea beetles, but some pyola nipped that in the bud quickly. I'm getting some flowers now...amazingly beautiful!

How tall will these plants get? I can't remember what kind they are...the regular purple hybrids from the Gurney's catalogue I think. Do they have male and female flowers like the curcurbits? Are they open pollinated, self pollinated, or do they need a pollinator (plenty of bees thanks to not using any pesticides so far this year). Also, how long until I should start seeing fruit big enough to eat? Can you pick them when they are small or is it best to let them get full sized and glossy before harvest?

Thanks for the help...looking forward to growing some of those other varieties next year!