need help with eggplant!

aimeruni · August 1, 2014

I am growing eggplant in 18 gallon storage containers; there are holes in the bottom for irrigation and there is one plant per 18 gallon container.

I fertilized them with a supplemental fertilizer on the surface of the soil a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately the fruit that is on them is setting and gaining size very slowly.

This month the temperatures have been very cool for eggplant in the mid 60's to low 70's.

The weather has warmed up but I want to put something called grow therm on top of the plants. It's essentially clear plastic mulch for raising temperatures in cool season areas.

However it's currently going to be in the mid to high 70's. Using the grow therm will bump up the temperature to mid to high 80's. Will this be too hot for eggplant? There are holes in it for ventilation.

SharonRossy · August 1, 2014

I'm no expert but ii do know egg plants prefer higher temps. I don't think high eightys should be a problem cause mine did very well in high heat. They need water consistently if it's hot. As long as your nighttime temps don't get too low they should be fine.

Goldie321 · August 23, 2014

I have the tallest eggplant plants I've ever had. My Black Beauty plants are close to 5 feet tall, but very few eggplant. Lots of water they get, but it never seems to be enough. Temps have been in the 90s lately so if it doesn't rain I have to water daily. Being in central Florida we have had lots of rain. My plants are in 5 gallon buckets.

August 1, 2014	#1
aimeruni Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Brooksville FL, zone 9a Posts: 67	need help with eggplant! I am growing eggplant in 18 gallon storage containers; there are holes in the bottom for irrigation and there is one plant per 18 gallon container. I fertilized them with a supplemental fertilizer on the surface of the soil a few weeks ago. Unfortunately the fruit that is on them is setting and gaining size very slowly. This month the temperatures have been very cool for eggplant in the mid 60's to low 70's. The weather has warmed up but I want to put something called grow therm on top of the plants. It's essentially clear plastic mulch for raising temperatures in cool season areas. However it's currently going to be in the mid to high 70's. Using the grow therm will bump up the temperature to mid to high 80's. Will this be too hot for eggplant? There are holes in it for ventilation.

August 1, 2014	#2
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	I'm no expert but ii do know egg plants prefer higher temps. I don't think high eightys should be a problem cause mine did very well in high heat. They need water consistently if it's hot. As long as your nighttime temps don't get too low they should be fine.

August 23, 2014	#3
Goldie321 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida USA Posts: 116	I have the tallest eggplant plants I've ever had. My Black Beauty plants are close to 5 feet tall, but very few eggplant. Lots of water they get, but it never seems to be enough. Temps have been in the 90s lately so if it doesn't rain I have to water daily. Being in central Florida we have had lots of rain. My plants are in 5 gallon buckets.