what varieties are you growing this year?

[habitat_gardener]

I got a Chu-Chu eggplant seedling last week, new to me. It's supposed to be an red-purple early variety, 40 days. Planning to grow it in a container.

I may also start another container variety.

What eggplant varieties are you growing this year?

[nctomatoman]

After trying many different eggplant over the years, our favorites are emerging - Antiguan, Casper, Green Giant, Listada di Gandia Lavender Touch, New York Improved, and Zebra are becoming regulars. Though productive, we like the fatter eggplant for nice big grilling slabs or making Parmesan dishes.

[barkeater]

I had given up in Vermont after 5 years of trying and having enough for eggplant parm only once. However, I'm very excited with another house in Champlain, NY, where average temps are 10 degrees warmer.

So, I'll be growing my all-time favorite again, Rosa Bianca, and an early, big pink/white hybrid called Beatrice which is supposed to be very early. Craig, if you'd tried it I'd appreciate any comments. I have a protected SE exposure on the corner of the house where there is a perennial bed, which will now include eggplants.

[nctomatoman]

I've grown Rosa Bianca - and the very similar Prosperosa - and like them, but find that the yield isn't quite as high as the others I've settled on. Even Listada di Gandia is similarly (and relatively) shy yielding when compared with some of the others, but the color is a must have!

[outsiders71]

I don't really care much for the Italian style eggplants. They get too tough, some have bitter taste, and are pretty much only good for eggplant parm.

So I grow Pingtung Long, and I love it.

[nctomatoman]

It is all when you pick them and use them....I've never found them to get tough or bitter and we use them mostly in Ratatouille - as long as you don't let them get overripe or sit in the refrigerator for days. I've grown Pingtung as well - and Machiaw and other slender types - they are just fine (and yield very heavily)

[ddsack]

I really like Lavender Touch, beautiful color and perfect size for me. Craig, have you saved any seeds from it and if so what were the results? I've been buying fresh every few years since it's a hybrid.

[Flame of Bodensee]

Hi,

i have Round Mauve, Rossa Biance, Lunga 2 , Listada de Gandia but only Round Mauve and Lunga are growing good the other are very tiny dunno if this is normal, also the leaves are gettin light brown and fall apart.

[nctomatoman]

Dee, I've saved seeds and grown out two plants, which were different. One was white blushed with Lavender, same shape as the F1, the other was pure white. Both were fine! That was in 2004...I need to regrow them for fresh seed (if they germinate!)

[DanishGardener]

I'm growing:
- Rima F1 (my favourite, very reliable)
- Skorospely (a heirloom variety from Russia, very very early)
- Applegreen (growing that one for the first time this year)

[Chara]

Hello!
I have never grown eggplants before. This season I'm trying the F1 hybrids Gretel and Little Fingers. I have them in the 5 gal. buckets. So far they are doing well. Couldn't find much of info on these varieties, maybe due to them being a relatively new hybrids.

[habitat_gardener]

Re Gretel: It's in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog. They sell Hansel F1 (purple) and Gretel F1 (white), both 55 days, bitter-free, compact plant, start picking at 3-4 inches long.

[Tomaat]

I am growing several types of aubergines this year: Casper, Ping Tung, Yellow Brinjal, Benarys and Terong asam. All seedlings are pretty big now except Terong asam as it took 2.5 months to germinate.
I was planning to grow Apple green too, but forget to order them...next year!

[GooberStraw]

This is also my first year growing eggplants. I settled on Applegreen and PingTung. I'm nervous about our short growing season, but it's reassuring to read that folks in colder climates have had success growing eggplants.

If all goes well this year, I'm hoping to try these varieties next season:
Antigua
Casper
Diamond
Edirne Purple Striped (has anyone tried this variety?)
Kamo
Ukrainian Beauty

[remy]

Goober,
I'm just below you in WNY and have no problems with eggplant. I have found they do better in pots on the deck though.

This year I'm growing:
Viserba - It is an Italian variety, but long, sort of like the Japanese types.
A Korean one from Korea(forgot name, it was not translated)- Have no clue what that will be like
One labeled Tiger Stripe from a trader - This could end up being Purple Tiger.
Pandora - A regular looking med. purple eggplant with white striping.

I also got hired out to start a bunch of seeds including the Eggplant Bambino. I might save a few for myself.
Remy