Eggplant is a vegetable crop that requires meticulous care and favorable conditions. One of the most important procedures when growing eggplant in containers is transplanting. This involves transplanting the seedlings from a common container into individual cups or peat pots. This procedure is only necessary in certain cases.
Advantages and disadvantages
If the seeds were planted in a common container, replanting the seedlings is essential. Neglecting this procedure will leave the root system with insufficient space for proper growth. Additionally, transplanting eggplants is necessary for the following purposes:
- strengthening the root system;
- acceleration of seedling growth;
- better subsequent adaptation of the plant to new conditions after its transplantation into open ground;
- it is easier to provide additional lighting;
- It is easier to create conditions for the full supply of oxygen to the roots of the plant system.
Disadvantages of this procedure The disadvantages are obvious: it's easy to damage the seedling during transplantation, and after transplantation, the eggplant will need time to recover, which will slow its growth. Therefore, it's best to avoid transplanting eggplants if possible. Sow the seeds directly into individual cups or pots. If the plant was planted in a common container, replanting it is essential, otherwise it will not germinate fully.
Deadlines
An important point: separating plants into individual containers can only be done at a strictly defined time. In 2021, the planting dates for pots or cups depend on the lunar position and the growing region. Also, pay attention to the seedling's maturity to determine whether it is ready for transplanting.
According to the lunar calendar
Every year, experienced gardeners consult the gardening calendar before undertaking any work. According to it, eggplant transplanting should not be done during the Full Moon or New Moon. There's a risk that the seedlings will adapt poorly to the new environment. According to the 2021 lunar calendar, eggplant transplanting after germination should be done on the following days:
| Month | Auspicious day |
| February | 4, 5, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24 |
| March | 3, 4, 17, 18, 22, 23, 30, 31 |
| April | 8, 9, 14, 18, 19, 28 |
It is better not to carry out any earthworks on unfavorable days - during the period of February 10, 11, 12, 27;
March 12, 13, 14, and 28. It's also not recommended to transplant eggplants in April—the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 27th. On these days, don't replant eggplants, fertilize them, apply pesticides, or loosen the soil. The only exception is watering.
By region
Central Russia has cold and short summers, making growing this heat-loving plant challenging. For other regions, favorable days for transplanting eggplants are as follows:
| Region | Planting period |
| Moscow region | End of March |
| Leningrad Oblast | Mid-March |
| Southern region | End of February |
| Far East and Siberia | Beginning of April |
A more precise estimate of the eggplant transplanting time can be determined based on the region's climate. By the time of planting outdoors, the air temperature should have warmed up to 18 degrees Celsius. Sow the seeds for seedlings 60 days before this time. Plants can be transplanted when they are 20-35 days old.
By signs of maturity
Pay attention to the plant's maturity. Eggplants are ready for transplanting only after the seedlings have developed two true leaves. Doing this before the allotted time increases the risk of damaging the fragile seedlings. Avoid transplanting later than this, as the root system will have time to develop, making transplanting more difficult. Depending on the variety, eggplants reach maturity 20-35 days after planting.
Dive order
It's important not only to adhere to the deadlines for moving the plant to a new container, but also to perform the procedure correctly. To do this, follow these steps:
- Water the seedlings generously 2 hours before transplanting. This is necessary to ensure the soil adheres well to the root system.
- To help the plant adapt better, it should be fertilized with a special mixture beforehand. To prepare it, dissolve 300 g of cow manure and 20 g of urea in a bucket of water. You can also add a little ash.
- Disinfect the cups or pots and fill them with soil suitable for the plant. Make small indentations in the center.
- Carefully remove the seedling from the old container; you can do this with a teaspoon. Free the root system from the root ball.
- Place the sprout deep into the hole, ensuring the root doesn't bend. Cover the stem with soil and press it lightly with your fingers at the base.
You can water the eggplants no sooner than 1-2 days after transplanting. It's best to place the containers in a warm, well-lit area. Don't be alarmed if the leaves start to wilt slightly. Once acclimatized, they will return to their original appearance and continue growing.
Common mistakes
Even if a plant was moved from one container to another according to the instructions and timeframes, it may fail to establish itself in the new location. This may be due to one of the following errors being made during transplanting:
- root damage occurred;
- the picking was carried out earlier or later than the favorable time;
- the soil for planting eggplants was chosen incorrectly; it does not contain enough vitamins and minerals for the full growth of the plant;
- there were no favorable conditions - it was necessary to maintain the correct temperature regime of about 20 degrees during the day and 17-18 degrees at night;
- the containers chosen were too small – the optimal diameter is from 8 to 12 cm;
- too deep or insufficient deepening of the sprout.
It is important to follow proper care after picking. Grow eggplants Only in a warm, well-lit location. Water the seedlings generously as the soil dries out. Harden off the seedlings before planting them outdoors by exposing them to the fresh air for a few minutes a day, gradually increasing the exposure.
Eggplant is a warm- and light-loving plant that requires careful care. Gardeners don't recommend transplanting it, as this process is harmful to its weak root system. However, it is essential if the seeds were sown in a single container. When transplanting, follow the timing and sequence of steps, and avoid common mistakes. This is the only way to grow a worthy harvest.

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