Eggplant production and seed saving

gorbelly · July 25, 2016

I'll be trying to save eggplant seed for the first time this year. My question is, will letting an eggplant over-ripen to the seed-saving stage stop production on that plant?

Father'sDaughter · July 25, 2016

I'm not sure, but I've had great success with letting one mature on a plant to the just over ripe stage, then pick it and let it finish inside.

They'll get really hard and dull first, which is about when I pick them. Then I leave them until they soften up before harvesting the seeds.

ilex · July 26, 2016

Probably somewhat, specially if plant is not very big.

Note they cross easily

gorbelly · July 26, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilex

Note they cross easily

Yes, thanks. I've bagged the buds before they even open and will tickle the blossoms with a brush when they open to spread pollen around.

July 25, 2016	#1
gorbelly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Posts: 1,069	Eggplant production and seed saving I'll be trying to save eggplant seed for the first time this year. My question is, will letting an eggplant over-ripen to the seed-saving stage stop production on that plant?

July 25, 2016	#2
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I'm not sure, but I've had great success with letting one mature on a plant to the just over ripe stage, then pick it and let it finish inside. They'll get really hard and dull first, which is about when I pick them. Then I leave them until they soften up before harvesting the seeds.

July 26, 2016	#3
ilex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Spain Posts: 416	Probably somewhat, specially if plant is not very big. Note they cross easily