Suggestions for eggplant varieties

beatpoet · December 6, 2011

So, I think I'm going to take a crack at some eggplants this upcoming year, but am looking for suggestions on a good variety to start with. I do grow everything in containers, so it needs to be something that will do well there. I'm an eggplant Parmesan kinda gal, so I'd like a variety that works well there as well.

jgaleota · December 6, 2011

I grew quite a few last year and they did great in containers. There is thread here on TV on the subject of container-grown eggplants and all seem to agree that they do better in pots than in the ground (more heat). I really liked: Rosa Bianca, Rotonda Bianca Sfumata and Listada de Gandia. They are all large enough to be great for Eggplant Parmigiana. Someone commented on one of these eggplant variety threads that they all taste pretty much the same so grow the ones that are the size and productivity that you want and that you think are pretty! I agree. I also grew good old Black Beauty for years and it is a good, large and productive one too.. Many speak highly of Florida Market. Here is one thread below.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=12684

Judi

gourmetgardener · December 6, 2011

I would say Benecia.

pinakbet · December 6, 2011

Kamo is a great container egglant IMO. Tastes great too.

Gardadore · December 6, 2011

I can't seem to find any info on Benecia as a type of eggplant, just the name of a place in CA where people apparently grow eggplants, etc. Where does one get seeds for it and what does it look like?

Worth1 · December 6, 2011

With A big container Florida Market has always done well for me.
I have never grown one in a container though.
It is just a plain old good eggplant. Nothing fancy.

Worth

gryffin · January 27, 2012

I grow them in Earthboxes, 2 plants per box. Last year I had Swallow, Pingtung Long, Listada di Gandia, and Rosa Bianca. Swallow was the most productive (it is an early, Ichiban type), follow by Pingtung Long. I've grown Rosa Bianca several times and it has always been my favorite. It was my first time growing the others. Listada di Gandia is my new favorite. All of these were good and non-bitter.

ilex · August 15, 2012

My favorite after growing about 50 varieties is mitoyo. Great, even in the raw state.

ScottinAtlanta · August 15, 2012

I also like Kamo.

shelleybean · August 15, 2012

I like White Beauty, Diamond, Rosita, and Prosperosa.

beatpoet · August 15, 2012

I ended up growing Rosa Bianca this year. So far its doing well. Just made some eggplant parmesan last week and it was quite tasty.

ScottinAtlanta · August 15, 2012

Does anyone here believe you can distinguish between eggplant varieties solely by taste?

jgaleota · August 16, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

Does anyone here believe you can distinguish between eggplant varieties solely by taste?

I can't.

sicily · August 16, 2012

My favorite is Lavender Touch. Light purple lovely color, low on seeds, big on flavor. I grow mine in pots and they do quite well. Delicious in eggplant parm or grilled with some good olive oil.

plainolebill · August 18, 2012

Peng Tung is a nice compact asian type and quite beautiful, lavender and purple, thin skinned as well. Eggplant is not very productive here but I bought an 'Epic' start which has turned into a monster, we'll probably get 5-6 good sized fruit off it.

December 6, 2011	#1
beatpoet Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 214	Suggestions for eggplant varieties So, I think I'm going to take a crack at some eggplants this upcoming year, but am looking for suggestions on a good variety to start with. I do grow everything in containers, so it needs to be something that will do well there. I'm an eggplant Parmesan kinda gal, so I'd like a variety that works well there as well. __________________ "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley

August 15, 2012	#10
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I like White Beauty, Diamond, Rosita, and Prosperosa. __________________ Michele

August 15, 2012	#11
beatpoet Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 214	I ended up growing Rosa Bianca this year. So far its doing well. Just made some eggplant parmesan last week and it was quite tasty. __________________ "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley

December 6, 2011	#2
jgaleota Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 133	I grew quite a few last year and they did great in containers. There is thread here on TV on the subject of container-grown eggplants and all seem to agree that they do better in pots than in the ground (more heat). I really liked: Rosa Bianca, Rotonda Bianca Sfumata and Listada de Gandia. They are all large enough to be great for Eggplant Parmigiana. Someone commented on one of these eggplant variety threads that they all taste pretty much the same so grow the ones that are the size and productivity that you want and that you think are pretty! I agree. I also grew good old Black Beauty for years and it is a good, large and productive one too.. Many speak highly of Florida Market. Here is one thread below. http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=12684 Judi

December 6, 2011	#3
gourmetgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada (Zone 6b) Posts: 119	I would say Benecia.

December 6, 2011	#4
pinakbet Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pearl of the Orient Posts: 333	Kamo is a great container egglant IMO. Tastes great too.

December 6, 2011	#5
Gardadore Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Saylorsburg, PA Posts: 261	I can't seem to find any info on Benecia as a type of eggplant, just the name of a place in CA where people apparently grow eggplants, etc. Where does one get seeds for it and what does it look like?

December 6, 2011	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	With A big container Florida Market has always done well for me. I have never grown one in a container though. It is just a plain old good eggplant. Nothing fancy. Worth

January 27, 2012	#7
gryffin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 229	I grow them in Earthboxes, 2 plants per box. Last year I had Swallow, Pingtung Long, Listada di Gandia, and Rosa Bianca. Swallow was the most productive (it is an early, Ichiban type), follow by Pingtung Long. I've grown Rosa Bianca several times and it has always been my favorite. It was my first time growing the others. Listada di Gandia is my new favorite. All of these were good and non-bitter.

August 15, 2012	#8
ilex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Spain Posts: 416	My favorite after growing about 50 varieties is mitoyo. Great, even in the raw state.

August 15, 2012	#9
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	I also like Kamo.

August 16, 2012	#14
sicily Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 192	My favorite is Lavender Touch. Light purple lovely color, low on seeds, big on flavor. I grow mine in pots and they do quite well. Delicious in eggplant parm or grilled with some good olive oil.

August 18, 2012	#15
plainolebill Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Williamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 33	Peng Tung is a nice compact asian type and quite beautiful, lavender and purple, thin skinned as well. Eggplant is not very productive here but I bought an 'Epic' start which has turned into a monster, we'll probably get 5-6 good sized fruit off it.