Eggplant Growing Stages (Full Guide)

Each stage of eggplant development is described in the list below. You will have better success cultivating this adaptable plant the more you understand eggplant growing stages, or how it develops.

In U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 through 12, the hardy, perennial crop known scientifically as Solanum Melongena is eggplant. It is a member of the Solanaceae family, which is currently widely grown for its palatable fruits.

It still goes through a similar growing period even though most gardeners in different areas of the world plant it as an annual.

The distinct phases of producing eggplant are crucial to understanding as a gardener, especially if you’re new to gardening. Every plant has its growth stages, including eggplant.

Seed, germination, seedling, mature plant, bloom, fruit, and harvest are the many phases of eggplant growth.

Eggplant Growing Stages

The stages of producing eggplant are the same no matter where you are. The more you understand this plant’s developmental stages, the more beneficial it will be for you.

Don’t misunderstand us, though; growing eggplant is by no means challenging if you follow the appropriate procedures and have the correct information.
So, let’s stick with the different growing stages.

Eggplant Growing Stage 1: Seeds

It takes seeds one to two weeks to germinate after being sown in warm soil. Because eggplant only exists as a seed, the seed stage is the initial stage of the plant. Small, rounded, smooth, and white-brown in color, its seeds are tiny.

Here, the first step is to plant seeds in warm ground. After that, you have to wait for a few days because it takes the seeds one to two weeks to germinate.

Meanwhile, an eggplant likely contains several seeds (there can be 40 or more per fruit). Ripening the fruit and selecting fresh seeds from a sustainable fruit is the ideal technique to select the best and highest-quality seeds for planting.

Make sure it is in a mature state when you see it since this is when it changes to a purple hue and produces the greatest seeds.

Eggplant Growing Stage 2: Germination

The next step is to wait for the plant to emerge after placing the eggplant seeds in the soil.

The seeds will begin to sprout after a few days, and eventually, the leaves will begin to emerge. However, as soon as you notice those sprouts sprouting and growing nicely, strive to nurture and care for them.

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Eggplant Growing Stage 3: The seedling stage

After the seeds have germinated, the next stage of eggplant growth is the form it adopts. To put it another way, they will sprout and develop into seedlings. Particularly if you wish to transplant your eggplant, this time is crucial.

The eggplant produces seedlings during this time that are still fragile and soft. Therefore, before transplanting them, you must care for and nourish them so that they develop healthily. The seedlings will take six to ten weeks to mature before you can transplant them.

If you see that your seedlings have started to generate four to six leaves, that is one definite sign that they are ready for transplantation. Additionally, bear in mind that eggplants do not flourish in cold weather. Therefore, frost or other cold weather risk must have passed before transplantation.

Eggplant Growing Stage 4: Mature plant

The eggplant’s mature stage, sometimes referred to as adult eggplant, is represented by the subsequent stage of development. The eggplant will start to develop stronger stems and branches at this point and will begin to produce more green leaves.

The greatest eggplant will be produced if you provide enough water, sunshine, and fertilizer.

It needs more care at this period than any other in its growth cycle; therefore, as a gardener, you should take the necessary steps to keep it healthier. The discharge will require additional work and energy.

Applying sufficient fertilizer and routine watering is necessary to grow healthier and stronger eggplants.

Your actions at this point will influence whether the plants continue to produce more blooms and fruits. This is the time to take action so you won’t have to worry about it afterward.

Eggplant Growing Stage 5: The blooming phase

The plants will start to bloom as they become older. As the plants begin to blossom and bud, it is more of a display phase. It also produces self-pollinating blooms, each having both male and female reproductive parts.

We suggest you deal with any pests and illnesses that might endanger the health of your eggplant at this point.

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Eggplant Growing stage 6: Fruit

The eggplant will start to yield fruit at this time. Depending on the eggplant kind, these fruits can be either white, purple, or striped. Taking care of the fruits is also essential to keep pests away from them.

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Eggplant Growing Stage 7: Harvesting

The last stage of eggplant development is the harvest phase. The fruit starts to grow at this point. Since you’ll obtain the fruits’ greatest flavor while they’re young, a few days after they reach maturity, you may harvest them now.

If you want to determine whether or not they are ripe, look for glossy skin and firm firmness. You must wait till the fruits have developed sufficiently with their light skins and become softer to the touch if you wish to collect the seeds for sowing.

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Conclusion

Whatever stage of development your eggplants are in will always require warm soil, full sun, and good soil to grow and prosper. The roots of eggplants extend two meters into the earth. Therefore, they also require a lot of water.

Give your plants at least 1 inch of water every week as soon as the fruit has begun to form. Organic fertilizers like manure or mulch also provide the nutrients your eggplants require to develop from seeds into complete plants.

I hope you’ve found this article on eggplant growing stages helpful, and if you did, you can share the image below to your Pinterest board and save it. Happy Gardening from Garden 24h!

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