Aubergines 2021

3 out of 4 Kermit were up this morning   . I’m growing aubergine again, from seed. It’s exciting     .

Plenty of Long Purple up and the first Violette di firenze has joined the party.

I've not had any luck with aubergines in the past, so I'm hedging my bets this year. I bought some Black Beauty seeds from Seedaholic, then I got a £10 voucher from Sarah Raven so I ordered 4 seedlings (two Moneymaker No2 and two Slim Jim) which will arrive in April.

Hopefully our new conservatory with the fancy UV-filtering glass will be a more even temperature and not kill everything I put in there!

I have the following aub seedlings all freebie seeds, recently transplanted into their own pots.
3 x versiba 3
1 x long purple
1 x black beauty

Germination wasn't great with any of them which us just as well, as the 'one' chilli I was going to grow has turned into at least 10 (some will have to be culled - agonising choice ahead) my own fault.

I have the following aub seedlings all freebie seeds, recently transplanted into their own pots.
3 x versiba 3
1 x long purple
1 x black beauty

Germination wasn't great with any of them which us just as well, as the 'one' chilli I was going to grow has turned into at least 10 (some will have to be culled - agonising choice ahead) my own fault.

Ha ha I knew you could stop at one.........of anything 
Don’t cull any of your spare plants until you’ve offered them on your local social media groups or how ever you you move on stuff you no longer need.

I have the following aub seedlings all freebie seeds, recently transplanted into their own pots.
3 x versiba 3
1 x long purple
1 x black beauty

Germination wasn't great with any of them which us just as well, as the 'one' chilli I was going to grow has turned into at least 10 (some will have to be culled - agonising choice ahead) my own fault.

Ha ha I knew you could stop at one.........of anything 
Don’t cull any of your spare plants until you’ve offered them on your local social media groups or how ever you you move on stuff you no longer need.

I'm unlikely to cull anything really, neighbours usually run when they see me coming with straggly tomato plants, now they'll have a surprise with chillies.  If a seedling is alive it usually gets a pot and an inappropriate place.  I can see me experimenting with outdoor chillies , aubs and peppers.  I have 3 neighbours  with GHs but none serious gardeners.  Social media?  What's that Perhaps I'll join a local horti society, but there's never time to be sociable in the spring and summer.

Ooh, I like your thinking! I’m going to start using my garden as an excuse for me being unsociable. Obviously it may be to late. Everyone already knows I’m unsociable   .

My aubergine babies are doing well.

Aubergines.

Do they need the side shoots to be pinched out? Some pundits say yes, others say no. Even the freebie seed pkt said no, but the magazine instructions for the same variety said yes. I have a feeling it's a matter of personal choice. What's the panel say?

I don't, just let them grow into a bush. But I am growing outdoors and don't have to worry about space or trying to force a crop.