Eggplants with no flowers? Let's save them together with simple methods.

Barren flowers on eggplants are quite common, despite the vegetable being self-pollinating. It's incredibly frustrating when so much time and money has been spent on plants, only to have them fail to live up to expectations.

First, you need to understand the reasons that caused the barren flower. Then, you can begin to solve the problem.

Causes of the appearance of barren flowers

There are many reasons for the appearance of barren flowers. Eggplant is an easy-to-grow plant, but changes in weather conditions and inadequate care affect its development and fruiting.

The ovary falls off or does not appear for the following reasons:

1. The air temperature, either outdoors or indoors, has warmed up to above 28°C. This is because high temperatures render the pollen of nightshade plants sterile. It travels from the anthers to the pistil, but fertilization does not occur. The eggplant blooms as usual, showing no external changes, but ultimately, no fruit appears.
2. Untimely or excessive fertilization. Barren flowers are caused by excess nitrogen or a deficiency of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and boron.
3. Sudden changes in weather conditions. This is caused by prolonged rains, which lower the air temperature and excessively saturate the air and soil with moisture. If the nighttime temperature doesn't warm up to 18°C, fruit set doesn't occur, and the plant concentrates all its energy on surviving in unstable conditions.
4. Insufficient watering. Eggplant, like all nightshades, is a heat- and moisture-loving plant. A lack of moisture prevents ovary formation, as the plant lacks the energy to form flowers and further develop them.
5. Increased soil acidity. Vegetable crops will not develop normally, much less bear fruit, in acidic and heavy soil.
6. Lack of sunlight causes flower buds to fall off.
7. Poor self-pollination.

What should we do?

Depending on the reason for the lack of ovary, use the following recommendations to normalize eggplant fruiting:

• You can't influence the air temperature in any way. But you can moderate it somewhat. In a garden bed, you can lower it by shading it with awnings, which will absorb 50-80% of the sun's rays. If you're growing vegetables in a greenhouse, placing water containers around the perimeter, as well as shading and ventilation, will help reduce the temperature.
• Do not apply nitrogen fertilizers during the fruit setting period. Instead, use boric acid, potassium, and phosphorus.

• If it rains for a long time and the nighttime temperature drops to 15°C, cover the eggplants with agrofibre at night. This will protect the plants from cold air masses, which will promote fruit set.
• Establish a moderate watering regime for your vegetables. It's recommended to water eggplants with warm, settled water. To avoid wasting electricity or gas on heating the water, fill barrels and leave them in the sun. The water will warm up throughout the day, and you can water the plants by evening. Water the eggplants at the roots, ensuring the water reaches a depth of at least 15 centimeters.
• Wood ash, slaked lime, dolomite flour, and chalk can help reduce soil acidity. The recommended application rate is 200-500 grams per square meter, depending on the soil's acidity.
• Eggplants should never be planted under trees. Choose sunny or slightly shaded areas in the garden.
• You can help with pollination artificially. Periodically shake the flower buds to ensure pollen from the stamens falls into the pistil.

Prevention

Simple but effective agricultural practices will help prevent the lack of ovary:

• To prevent eggplants from suffering from sudden changes in weather conditions, grow them in a greenhouse. In a greenhouse, it's easier to monitor temperature and moisture, which are important factors in setting fruit.
• in the fall, after harvesting, dig up the soil and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizers;
• Don't wait until there is no ovary, make sure to water your eggplants regularly;
• During the period of bud formation, spray with ash infusion or a solution based on boric acid.

Adviсe

Experienced gardeners recommend:

1. Spray eggplants with growth stimulants. These will not only accelerate development and increase plant resilience, but also promote abundant fruit set.
2. Plant eggplant varieties that are zoned for a particular area:

• For regions with unstable and cool climates, the "Almaz" variety is recommended. It's mid-season and productive, requiring little care. Even a novice can grow it.
• In central Russia, agronomists recommend planting the "Banana" eggplant variety. Its yield is average, but it's ideal for growing in this region.
• In the South, gardeners prefer to grow the hybrid variety "Epic F1"

There are a large number of zoned varieties, so you should not limit yourself to the proposed types of vegetables.

A successful eggplant harvest depends on the number of ovaries. Don't ignore the appearance of barren flowers, as this can lead not only to a reduced yield but even to a complete lack of yield.