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An unusual type of fruiting is distinguished by carpal eggplants. Their fruits are collected in several pieces in one brush - hence the name. It is believed that these varieties were not so long ago bred and widespread. Many are worried about the question: is it worth growing new varieties on their plots? Let's take a closer look at this topic.
Eggplant as a culture
The advantages of eggplant are difficult to overestimate. This vegetable is beautiful and healthy. It includes:
- useful fiber;
- minerals;
- soluble sugars;
- pectin;
- vitamins of group B, PP, C.
It is useful for both young and old people.
More recently, in central Russia, it was impossible to meet this wonderful vegetable in the beds, and today it is planted even in open ground, not to mention greenhouses and film shelters.
Eggplant is a thermophilic culture. It bears fruit perfectly at temperatures from +22 to +30 degrees. This is the optimal growing regime. He is picky about fertilizing, fertility and loose soils, as well as moderate watering.
On our counters today there are hundreds of varieties of various selections, new ones appear every year. Among this list there are also time-tested varieties that are resistant to our climatic conditions. Recently, bristle eggplants have also begun to enjoy great popularity.
Carp varieties
There are still very few of them among the variety of varieties, but many gardeners have appreciated the quality and speed of their growth, as well as fruiting. Fruits, as a rule, are medium-sized, collected in a cluster of several pieces. Usually there are 2-4 of them, but there are also other hybrids.
The peculiarity of the carp varieties is such that some hybrids bear fruit abundantly, and the bush can sag under the weight of the fruit. Eggplants are always planted in the sun. Don't worry, the wide green leaves will provide the necessary shade.
The cultivation of such varieties is an interesting experiment, you can surprise your neighbors in the country or a plot with unusual eggplants, the taste of hybrids rarely happens with bitterness. As a rule, there are imported hybrids on the market, let's figure out which varieties can be planted today in our beds.
Names of varieties
Consider several varieties of carpal eggplant. By their type, their seeds are hybrids. That is why you should not expect the same harvest from them again. Each year, you just need to buy a new bag of seeds.
We will also present a comparative table of the varieties presented. Of great importance when choosing any planting material are such qualities as:
- ripening rate;
- yield;
- plant size;
- disease resistance.
Among the varieties we are considering:
- Balagur (Manul and other agricultural firms);
- Samurai (Kitano);
- Prado (Kitano);
- Mantle (decorative variety).
Let's talk first about each variety separately.
Joker
It is a specially bred variety with a bright purple skin color. It is most often found on our counters, and you can buy it in almost any store. Fruits are small, elongated, slightly pot-bellied.
The plant holds fruits well, of which up to 7 pieces are formed in one brush, if the growing conditions are met.
The bush is quite high, reaches a height of 130 centimeters, bears fruit abundantly and for a long time. Planting conditions and yield data are shown in the table.
Samurai
These seeds are most often imported from Ukraine, they managed to quickly gain popularity due to the resistance of the hybrid.Sometimes on the shelves you can find this hybrid from other manufacturers.
The fruits of the "Samurai" variety are very beautiful, the skin color is dark purple, glossy. The pulp is never bitter, the eggplant seeds are very small... Gardeners say that this variety is very loved by insects, which will have to be fought.
Prado
Another variety of Japanese selection, which is very similar to "Samurai". The color of the fruit is also dark purple, the taste is very good. Eggplants are smaller, short in length, pear-shaped.
Fruit weight is 200-230 grams with a length of 20 centimeters. The pulp is creamy, without bitterness. Due to the fact that the hybrid has a shallow seed chamber, the fruit becomes even tastier. Can be grown both outdoors and indoors.
Mantle
Perhaps the most interesting variety externally. Many, seeing these unusual eggplants in the picture, think that they are difficult to grow in our climate. It is not true. The variety grows well, first on windowsills (seeds are planted in February-March), and then in open ground. If the climate is cold, you can plant the seedlings in a heated greenhouse.
A large number of fruits are formed on each cluster, 6-7 pieces. They are small, striped.
When ripe, their color changes from greenish to orange. Reddish fruits are considered overripe and tasteless. Despite the fact that this eggplant is decorative, its fruits are eaten.
Below is a video showing how this magnificent variety grows.
comparison table
Using this table, you can easily determine which of the varieties suits you best.
Hybrid name / | Ripening period | Disease resistance | Yield per square meter | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Joker | early (85-100 days) | to the fall of flowers, to the tobacco mosaic | an average of 7 kilograms | fruits up to 130 grams, no more than 6 plants are planted per 1 m2 |
Samurai | early (100 days) | to stress and lodging | 5.5 kilograms | Fruit weight averages 200 grams |
Prado | early ripe (90-100 days) | to lodging, gets used to growing conditions | up to 6 kg | Grows well outdoors |
Mantle | mid-season (120 days) | to major diseases | 5 kilograms | It is important that the temperature during cultivation does not fall below 20 degrees Celsius. |
All bristle eggplants are very beautiful. This is their advantage. They bear fruit for a long time and abundantly. Back in September, you can collect a rich harvest of varieties.
Growing rules
It is quite difficult to grow eggplants, since this culture is thermophilic. Hybrids are famous for their resistance, they tolerate temperature extremes better. Regardless of which type of eggplant you purchased, the growing conditions will be similar.
Let's talk about how to grow varieties without making mistakes.
Soil requirements
All types of eggplant love quality soil:
- loose;
- fertilized;
- neutral or slightly sour.
Fertilizers need to be applied both in advance and during the growth of the plant. The scheme is as follows:
- mineral fertilizers are applied in the fall where you are going to grow your chosen varieties;
- in the spring, organic fertilizers are applied to the soil, this will not only enrich it, but also warm it up from the inside;
- when growing seedlings, it is better to use high-quality ready-made soil, the seedlings are additionally highlighted;
- during the growing period after transplanting, fertilizer can be applied 2-3 more times (especially during the flowering and fruiting period).
You will have to loosen the soil often, remove weeds... At the same time, be careful, the root system of all types of eggplants is very capricious.
Transplanting and growing requirements
When transplanting seedlings into the ground, do not crush or burrow them. You just need to sprinkle it on top.
Do not plant plants in partial shade, only in the sun. Don't worry about the fruits. The plant has wide, strong foliage that provides the necessary comfort. For each square meter, 4-6 plants of the same variety are planted. Do not plant plants too close to each other.Eggplants of all varieties grow poorly in crowded conditions, stretch out and bear little fruit.
If your area has cool summers, it is best to grow your chosen variety in a heated greenhouse. Pay attention to watering. It should be abundant, but not excessive. Control the watering of the eggplant depending on the temperature. However, do not let the air temperature drop. This can be detrimental to the aubergine varieties.
The predecessors of this plant in the beds can be:
- carrot;
- cabbage;
- melons and gourds;
- bow;
- legumes.
There are cultures that cannot be predecessors, and categorically. Among them are peppers and tomatoes, as well as potatoes.
When planting seeds directly in the ground, it is important to place them under a film. Organic matter is introduced into the soil a few days before planting, the soil is loosened. When decomposed, manure or compost will create additional heat.
If you do not follow three important rules about high-quality watering, loose soils and thermal conditions, the plants will turn out to be weak and will bear fruit poorly.
Ideal if the eggplants are in the sun for at least 12 hours. It is quite difficult to achieve this in our regions. However, it is hybrids that adapt well to new conditions.
Conclusion
Until recently, eggplant was considered a completely exotic vegetable, and today this southern fruit is widely represented not only in markets, but also in the beds of ordinary summer residents. Bristle varieties will gain popularity very soon and spread quickly. Every year we meet new varieties in specialized stores.
If you have the opportunity to purchase and grow a bristle eggplant yourself, be sure to do it! The harvest will delight you.
