Aubergines originally come from subtropical regions of India and need a lot of warmth. Find out here what's special about eggplant roots and how to properly care for them for a good harvest.
How do eggplants root and how do they need to be cared for?
Aubergines areFlat-rooted. Their roots extend between 90 and 120 centimeters deep into the earth. When growing eggplants, pay attention tocorrect watering behavior. If the roots dry out or stand in water, this will cause serious damage to the plant.
How deep do eggplants root?
Aubergines, also known as eggplants, areshallow rootersThey have roots between90 and 120 centimeters deep Therefore they also need a loose, humus-rich soil to this depth. If eggplants do not have enough space (for example in a pot that is too small), this can result in the harvest failing or only small fruits developing. Therefore, when planting in the greenhouse and outdoors, make sure the soil is loose up to this depth.
How to care for eggplants for he althy roots?
A he althy and productive plant requires he althy roots. Therefore, you should maintain it as follows:
- Aubergines need warmth and love sun. Give your plants a suitable location, which also warms the soil.
- Water regularly so that the roots do not dry out. Avoid waterlogging. For example, use a saucer when keeping the pot.
- Fertilize with an organic vegetable fertilizer (€23.00 on Amazon) about every two weeks.
What are the biggest eggplant root care mistakes?
- Watering too much – this can easily lead to diseases such as root rot.
- Watering too little – the plant dries out and, in the worst case, dies.
- Don't fertilize enough - sufficient nutrients produce lots of fruit.
- The soil is not loose - the roots cannot spread and wither in soil that is too firm.
How do I save eggplants if they have received too much water?
As nightshade plants, eggplants cannot tolerate waterlogging and react quickly to too much water with root rot, which must be avoided at all costs. This causes irreparable damage to the plant and results in crop failure.
If you notice root rot on your plants, you need to act quickly. Remove soil from the entire root ball. Check it carefully andremoveallsick roots so that only he althy plant parts remain. In the future, make sure that the water drains well so that no water accumulates.
Tip
Protect the plant and its roots with a layer of mulch
The greatest danger for the roots of the eggplant is drying out, because the plant tolerates this poorly and reacts quickly with wilting leaves, dropping its flowers and no longer producing a harvest. To prevent this, you can protect the soil and roots with a layer of mulch made from grass clippings or straw. This means the soil stays moist longer.
