First eggplant this year will be....
 

A recent hybrid called Millionaire, apparently an improvement upon Ichiban (long slender black purple fruit). First fruit on the plant is about 3 inches long...pretty amazing. Transplanted May 19, so the favorable weather is really moving things along. I looks like fruit has also set on Listada di Gandia, New York Improved, Black Beauty, and Slim Jim.

The first to set for me was Ichiban. This is the first time I've grown it, and probably wouldn't have this time, if I wasn't so disappointed in my Listada di Gandia seedlings. They just weren't growing to my expectations. The Ichiban is a pretty plant. Is the calyx on the Millionaire purple, similar to the Ichiban?

I ended up planting my LdG in containers, and placed them on the driveway in front of one of my garages, They're doing pretty well now, just haven't set fruit yet. I hope they do. I'm looking forward to them.

Applegreen for me. First fruit almost ripe.

Ciao all,

I'm hoping to get seeds for Listada di Giandia, Rosa Bianca, and Fairy Tale for next year. In the meantime, I've got fruit set on all 3 of my varieties, but Antigua looks like it will be the first one. It's about 4" long already. Craig, is it normal for it to start out white and then get its stripes? It's possible I may have mixed it with one of my Caspers otherwise.

I am jealous...while my tomatoes and peppers have set lots of fruit already, we just haven't had enough warmth for the eggplants.
I have 5 in a mineral tub on the roof for heat, another in a container on the patio, 4 in the garden and a few in the cold frame.
Thai long green is doing best , but no flowers yet. Highs 70ish and nights still 48-50.....Not eggplant paradise.

Jeanne

Ciao Jeanne,

Don't despair, my eggplants were started way early and my transplants were very big. I only have fruit set on four of my tomatoes, however: Sungold F1, Borgo Cellano, Kimberley, and now Sophie's Choice. That's it out of over 60 varieties, so you're ahead of me there.

Cheers!

First to set for me was Diamond, but the first to pick will be Little Spooky. Fairy tale is setting a bunch now.

My first eggplant this year was Fairy Tale - I picked it probably on 6/21. Of course, this is the only variety that I planted 8) . It is a wonder that they made it through the severe insect chomping of late spring.

Winner was Millionaire - about a foot long, slender, black purple - 36 days from transplant! Next ripe one will likely be Slim Jim....all of my eggplant are now blossoming and setting fruit. Rattatouille time!

We have eaten several Ichiban already and the plants are just starting to load up. One plant must have over a dozen fruit of different sizes. Is this usual for the oriental types?
Jim

Ciao all,

It looks like labels got mixed up for a few of my eggplants. The one I had thought was Antigua is actually a Casper. It's about 6" long and pure white. We'll probably make fritti out of it.

Cheers,
Julianna

The first in our garden will probably be a decorative Easter Egg Plant. In the edible section, Diamond will likely be first.

I picked my first eggplant two nights ago. As expected, it was an Ichiban. For dinner last night, I prepared it the way Craig described in the recipes thread of this forum.... using egg and bread crumbs, then baking it and made angel hair pasta to go with it. Thanks Craig! That was great, and you're exactly right... "not bitter at all - in fact, sweet".

I ate my first eggplant today cooked it on the grill.
Dont remember what the things are, fat and round for sure.LOL
One of them store plants I got on a spur.
Worth

mine will be cloud nine. i have just 3 plants all the same. i wanted ichiban but the green house did not have it this year. i am doing exactly the same as last year, 5 gal container, same exact mix, fertilizing but i am surprised at the size of these plants - just a bit taller but so full of leaves and such large leaves. i now have flowers so hopefully in a couple of weeks i'll be picking them.

tom