The wild eggplant is spiny having bitter fruits and originated in the region of India and Pakistan. It was domesticated in the regions of Assam and Burma over 4000 years ago. The species name "melongena" is an ancient Sanskrit word for eggplant. Trade brought it to China where it was a favorite of the Emporers, and has been grown since around 500 BC. It migrated to Africa and Europe through Arabia and Persia. Arabic records show eggplant as being immensely popular from the early 9th Century onwards.
The Spanish Moors introduced eggplant to Southern and Eastern Europe where it gained popularity from Spain northwards. The Spanish introduced it to Central America in the 1500s, but it did not gain popularity in America until the 1800s, when Thomas Jefferson introduced a white, prickly skinned variety in 1806 from a friend in France.
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Approx 25 seeds per pack.
Planting Instructions
Indoors: 8 - 10 weeks before soil and temperature are thoroughly warm, plant seeds 1/4 - 1/2" deep in flats. Keep soil temperature at 70 - 75F. Germinatioon takes 14 - 21 days.
Transplant seedlings when 2 - 3" high into individual pots.
Transplant out into garden site in full sun, 2 1/2 - 3' apart about 3 weeks after last frost date. Provide sufficient moisture, especially when fruits are setting.
Eggplants are ripe when skin has a high gloss. Once nighttime temperatures are above 70F, continuous harvesting will ensure continued fruiting.
Listada de Gandia eggplant was introduced into southern France from Spain around 1850.
Thin skinned Italian type with stunning white egg-shaped fruit covered with purple to lavender stripes, 6-10" long. 14 " tall plants are heavy producers.
Thrives in hot weather, sets fruit well in heat, not recommended for northern states. Very delicious, creamy texture and non bitter.
Certified Organic. 75-90 days
Approx 100 seeds per pack
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In Stock
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Black Beauty Eggplant is the classic eggplant that is the standard by which large eggplant are measured.
Very productive and early, uniform ripening made this the eggplant of choice by market growers and home gardeners. Introduced in 1902 by W. Atlee Burpee. Best used fresh, just after harvesting.
Bushy spreading 24-30 in. plant with 4-6 in. purplish black smooth oval 6.5 x 5 in. diameter fruit, blunt & broad at blossom end, retains color well, 1-3 lbs., holds well, high quality, fine flavor, yields well in the North if the season is long.
72-85 days
Approx 25 seeds per pack
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In Stock
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Ruffled Red Eggplant, Tomato Eggplant or Hmong Red Eggplant is from Thailand, brought to America as an ornamental in the 19th Century. Highly decorative, grown extensively for flower arrangements industry where they are called miniature pumpkins or pumpkin tree. Ribbed red-orange fruits are about twice the size of a quarter, produced abundantly on 2 - 3 ft tall stalks. So prolific, you will have plenty to cook, to decorate with and to give away!
Well known in Asian cuisine and used in stir-frys it is not bitter unless allowed to ripen to the red stage. Picked green and prepared as you would any other eggplant, they are an unusual, attractive and very tasty dish. Their real appeal lies in their unusualness, so use them in dishes that showcase their size.
65 - 75 days
Approx 100 seeds per pack
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In Stock
Will be shipped via: FIRST CLASS MAIL VIA U.S. MAIL
