Aubergines or eggplants are native to the Mediterranean region. They need high temperatures not only to germinate. If there is no sheltered location for the eggplants in the garden, it is worth cultivating them in the greenhouse.
Why should you grow eggplants in a greenhouse?
Eggplants in the greenhouse thrive better than outdoors because they receive constant temperatures and humidity. Sowing takes place in January, the plants are planted out in the greenhouse from May and the main shoot is cut. Yields are higher and ripen faster than outdoors.
Planting eggplants in a protected greenhouse
Growing eggplants in a greenhouse is much easier than outdoors. Under glass, the plants receive the high temperatures they need to germinate and grow.
Growing in the greenhouse
The eggplants are sown in January in a heated greenhouse. To do this, seed trays (€35.00 at Amazon) are filled with growing substrate. The seed is sown thinly and covered with a layer of soil.
The seeds are kept well moist and germinate within a few days. As soon as the plants are around eight centimeters high, they are pricked out or transplanted into pots.
Planting eggplants outdoors or in the greenhouse
From a height of 20 to 25 centimeters, the eggplants reach their final destination. If you want to plant early eggplants in the garden, wait until the end of May.
The eggplants are planted 50 by 50 centimeters apart in the basic bed of the greenhouse. Nutritious garden soil mixed with compost provides the best basis.
Eggplant care in the greenhouse
- Prefer in seed trays
- Put in pots
- Plant out in the final location from May
- Cut the main shoot
- Attach supporting scaffolding
As soon as the plant has formed six to eight leaves, the main shoot is cut off. The resulting secondary shoots are tied to supporting pillars.
Harvesting eggplants in the greenhouse
Due to the constant temperatures and consistent humidity, the eggplants ripen faster than in the open field, depending on the variety.
While the plant stops growing outdoors at around 15 degrees, it blooms much longer in a heated greenhouse due to the high temperatures. This means that significantly more fruit will ripen.
If the weather outside is cold and too humid, the harvest will be poor. In the greenhouse, the plant is well protected from cold and moisture.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to harvest eggplants in the greenhouse, shake out the shoots with the flowers regularly. Since there is no wind in the greenhouse, the gardener must support fertilization.