Solanum melongena 'Pingtung Long'

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 'Pingtung Long' is an unusual variety, bearing slender, lavender-purple fruits up to 30cm long. Plants are vigorous and resistant to disease.

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.