How Many Eggplants in a Grow Tub?

peebee · April 22, 2016

I have a large potato Grow Tub that I want to grow Japanese eggplants in. It is 20 gal, 18x18x14. Just by eyeballing it, I think I can easily grow 4 in there, if not five (4 in corners, 1 in middle). I also want to put this bag in a kiddie pool to do the self-watering thing. What do you think? Would I have better luck (and perhaps save some potting mix) if I planted them in 4-5 separate smaller grow bags?
Thanks for your thoughts.

taboule · April 22, 2016

I've done 2 plants (Japanese or equivalent) in 10 gal bags with good results. It depends on the variety, you probably can get away with 4 in the tub, but the larger plants (such as black beauty and others) would produce more if given more room.

Given equivalent volume, I've had better production from several plants (eggplants and peppers) in the same large bag, than in several smaller bags. Watering is easier.

peebee · April 23, 2016

Thanks Taboule, watering should not be an issue as I plan on putting them in a kiddie pool so I just have that to fill it up, not the individual pots.
Right now I'm undecided about which to use; seems like maybe the smaller bags will be easier to manage if I needed to move any, etc. Well, my weekend is shot with a funeral to attend and a wedding the following weekend so I will have to squeeze in some time during the next week days after work. I'll have to think this out some.

Greatgardens · April 23, 2016

I grow two in an EarthBox (which holds about 2 ft3 of potting mix. But one per box does somewhat better. Keep in mind that well-grown, eggplants produce a LOT. Yes, they really suck the water. Best-of-the-best suggestion -- Burpee's Early Midnight. Produces early and keeps on going, if kept fertilized and evenly watered.
-GG

JaxRmrJmr · April 23, 2016

I transplanted a black beauty into a SWC 5 gallon bucket in May of last year and got over 35 fruits off the one plant. Heavy feeders. I probably could have gotten more if I had fertilized more frequently.

This is the first year that I am trying the 27 gallon totes and the plants are liking them!

peebee · April 25, 2016

JRJ, how many are you planting in that 27 gal bag? Tomatoes or eggplants?

April 22, 2016	#1
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	How Many Eggplants in a Grow Tub? I have a large potato Grow Tub that I want to grow Japanese eggplants in. It is 20 gal, 18x18x14. Just by eyeballing it, I think I can easily grow 4 in there, if not five (4 in corners, 1 in middle). I also want to put this bag in a kiddie pool to do the self-watering thing. What do you think? Would I have better luck (and perhaps save some potting mix) if I planted them in 4-5 separate smaller grow bags? Thanks for your thoughts.

April 23, 2016	#4
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	I grow two in an EarthBox (which holds about 2 ft3 of potting mix. But one per box does somewhat better. Keep in mind that well-grown, eggplants produce a LOT. Yes, they really suck the water. Best-of-the-best suggestion -- Burpee's Early Midnight. Produces early and keeps on going, if kept fertilized and evenly watered. -GG Last edited by Greatgardens; April 23, 2016 at 06:19 AM.

April 22, 2016	#2
taboule Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: MA Posts: 903	I've done 2 plants (Japanese or equivalent) in 10 gal bags with good results. It depends on the variety, you probably can get away with 4 in the tub, but the larger plants (such as black beauty and others) would produce more if given more room. Given equivalent volume, I've had better production from several plants (eggplants and peppers) in the same large bag, than in several smaller bags. Watering is easier.

April 23, 2016	#5
JaxRmrJmr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Jax, FL - 9A Posts: 172	I transplanted a black beauty into a SWC 5 gallon bucket in May of last year and got over 35 fruits off the one plant. Heavy feeders. I probably could have gotten more if I had fertilized more frequently. This is the first year that I am trying the 27 gallon totes and the plants are liking them!

April 25, 2016	#6
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	JRJ, how many are you planting in that 27 gal bag? Tomatoes or eggplants?