Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Also known as eggplant, due to the shape of the fruit of earlier varieties, aubergines are becoming an increasingly popular choice for the grow-your-own enthusiast. Given a good summer, plants can be very productive, especially when grown under glass. However, aubergine plants are sensitive to cold winds and heavy rain, making them less reliable when grown outdoors.
Solanum melongena 'Melanzana Violetta di Firenze' is lovely Italian variety, bearing large, ribbed, oval fruits with an excellent flavour, from late-July to October.
Pinch out growing tips when 30cm high to encourage branching, feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser once plants have started to flower, and mist fruits with water to encourage fruit set. Remove fruiting sideshoots after five to six fruits have set, and pick fruits before the skin loses its gloss – a symptom of over-ripeness.
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Plant calendar
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Sow
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Plant
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Flowers
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Fruits
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Harvest
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Solanum ‘Melanzana violetta di firenze’ and wildlife
Solanum ‘Melanzana violetta di firenze’ is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/Moths
Butterflies/Moths
Is not known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators
Is Solanum ‘Melanzana violetta di firenze’ poisonous?
Solanum ‘Melanzana violetta di firenze’ can be toxic.
