How to feed eggplants for a good harvest

Eggplants have earned a reputation for being difficult to grow and producing low yields, not only in the northern regions, but even in the central ones, where the climate allows for the cultivation of most crops. This plant has a long growing season and matures on time only with plenty of warmth and light, and only in soils rich in micronutrients and sufficient oxygen. However, a bountiful harvest and the preservation of young plants from the moment of transplantation can be achieved by choosing the right timing and types of fertilizer.

Types and timing of fertilizing

To choose the right fertilizer, you need to understand the plant's characteristics. It's a nightshade plant. It draws a lot of minerals from the soil from the very beginning of ovary formation. Among the most important elements are:

• phosphorus;
• nitrogen;
• potassium;
• boron;
• iron;
• manganese.

During the early stages of germination, nitrogen is essential to promote stem and leaf development. Phosphorus should be added in large quantities as the plants adapt to new conditions and rapidly build root mass. Potassium protects eggplants from temperature and humidity fluctuations and helps build their immunity. Boron and iron promote inflorescence formation and fruit ripening. A high manganese soil improves the eggplant's flavor.

Superphosphate provides the best results. It's useful when cultivating seedlings, immediately after transplanting them to open ground, and during the period of active fruit set. Nitrophoska is best used in poor soil and when the recommended crop rotation for eggplants hasn't been followed. This substance is more concentrated, so it's best used during the most critical periods: in spring, when frost is likely, and in late summer, when it's important to speed up fruit ripening.

Eggplants absorb the same nutrients from organic matter very well, but in smaller quantities. This type of feeding helps avoid overdosing and chemical burns. Fertilizers such as cow manure, humus, and compost also produce good results. A solution of bird droppings can also be added throughout the growing season, but in dilute concentrations. During the formation of flowers and fruit buds, it's best to use humus and compost to avoid stimulating the growth of green parts. When transplanting outdoors, however, manure will produce good results.

Feeding schemes

The fertilizing schedule is selected based on soil conditions and climate. If the soil is poor, fertilizer will need to be applied once every 10 days. If crop rotation has been followed and the area has been pre-cultivated, for example, in the fall, only four applications per season will be required.

The easiest to implement is a scheme that alternates mineral and organic fertilizers. This is a good option for beginning gardeners. It's best to choose the root-applied method. With this approach, the entire application volume is distributed evenly throughout the season, with 4 to 6 applications planned.

The classic fertilizing regimen is a bit more difficult to follow, but it's well suited for outdoor cultivation in unfavorable climates. In this case, it's important to determine the required number of fertilizing applications, which averages from 4 to 8.

The first step in the classic scheme is to apply superphosphate 14 days after transplanting the seedlings. Potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus will stimulate root growth and protect the eggplants from potential frosts, pests, and fungi that thrive in moist soils. When fruit set begins, nitrogen and a small amount of potassium are added, eliminating all other elements. When the first fruits appear, phosphorus and iron are added, along with potassium. At this stage, eggplants respond well to treatments with ash and herbal infusions. Two weeks before the end of the growing season, the plants are fertilized again with phosphorus, manganese, and nitrogen. This stimulates fruit growth, prolongs the plant's development, halts the dying process, and improves flavor.

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Important rules

Eggplants don't have a very extensive root system and don't produce many leaves, so it's easy to ruin your plantings with improper fertilization. On the other hand, all nightshades quickly absorb nutrients from the soil, so you can assess the plant's condition after just 2-3 days. Before the next fertilization, inspect:

• leaves for the presence of yellow, black, white spots;
• trunk for signs of burns;
• ovaries for traces of parasites and fungi;
• soil.

If the leaves have turned yellow, the stem has become soft and slightly wilted, don't immediately increase the nutrient concentration. This could indicate a mineral overload. Eggplant reactions are very similar to those of tomatoes, about which there's a wealth of information.

Foliar top dressing for eggplants in the open soil It's rarely used, only when irrigating with herbal infusions or organic mixtures. The leaves don't tolerate any external influences well. Therefore, when watering, it's important to avoid damaging the green parts.

It's commonly believed that eggplants grow and ripen outdoors only in the south. However, with proper care, you can reap a bountiful harvest outside of greenhouses and hotbeds. It's important to begin working with the plant immediately after transplanting, while roots are still forming and the first ovaries are appearing.