Collection of 2 aubergine GRAFTED young plants

Planting:

Grow the plants by transplanting the plug plants into trays or buckets with a diameter of 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5in), filled with compost. Attention: When transplanting grafted plants, do not bury the graft point! Place the plants in a warm and bright location. Water regularly.

Planting in open ground should be done around mid-May or June, when the risk of frost has passed. Plant the Aubergine in full sun, in a sheltered spot. It thrives in well-drained and rich soils. As the Aubergine is a hungry vegetable, it will be necessary to add well-rotted compost in the previous autumn. In cooler regions, it is advisable to plant the Aubergine in a greenhouse.

Soak the root ball in water briefly before planting. Space the plants 50 cm (20in) apart in all directions. Dig a hole, place your plant with the graft point at ground level, then cover with fine soil. Water thoroughly.

At the beginning of cultivation, protect the plants with a mini-tunnel or a frame to gain a few degrees in temperature.

The Aubergine can also be grown in a pot, as long as it is placed in the sun. In this case, you can plant the plug plants directly into the pot.

Maintenance:

Regularly hoe and weed. Remove the suckers that develop at the base of the plant.

Water regularly, being careful not to wet the foliage to avoid the appearance of fungal diseases such as mildew. Drip irrigation is well suited.

Pruning will be necessary to promote fruit development. In July, cut the main stem above the 2^nd flower. Repeat this operation on the new shoots that develop. This way, you can expect to harvest an average of 7 to 8 fruits per plant.

Diseases and pests:

The Aubergine is susceptible, like the tomato, to mildew. This is a fungal disease caused by the Phytophthora infestans fungus. Mildew develops in hot and humid weather. Small spots appear, white on the underside of the leaves and green-grey on the top. To limit the risks, space the plants sufficiently and do not water the foliage. In terms of crop rotation, wait 4 years before growing a plant from the Solanaceae family in the same location and do not grow them in neighbouring rows.

Harvest can also be hindered by the Colorado potato beetle, an insect from the order Coleoptera. You will recognize it by its yellow head and its yellow and black striped body. The best solution, although a bit time-consuming, is to remove them as they appear. As a preventive measure, sow blue flax seeds between your rows of Aubergines. Sow from April to June in shallow furrows. In addition to its repellent effect against Colorado potato beetles, flax will brighten up your vegetable garden with its pretty little blue flowers.

Finally, you can protect young plants from slugs and snails by placing ash or coffee grounds nearby, to be renewed in case of rain.