Eggplant Diamond – MIg

Description

Diamond Eggplant is a classic heirloom variety prized for its smooth, glossy, deep purple fruits and tender, creamy flesh with very few seeds. The slender fruits typically grow 15–20 cm long and are known for their mild, sweet flavor and excellent eating quality. This vigorous, high-yielding variety is ideal for grilling, roasting, frying, curries, stir-fries, stuffing, and Mediterranean or Asian dishes. It thrives in warm weather and performs exceptionally well in the UAE.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Indoors: Start seeds indoors in July.
• Outdoors: Transplant seedlings or direct sow from October through March, when temperatures are warm.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light & Soil: Plant in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost.
• Depth & Germination: Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep. Germination typically occurs within 7–14 days in warm soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 45–60 cm apart, with 60–90 cm between rows.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruit development, but avoid waterlogged conditions.
• Feeding: Apply compost before planting and feed with a balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks. Increase potassium once flowering begins to encourage abundant fruit production.
• Harvest: Fruits are ready to harvest in approximately 70–85 days, when they are glossy, firm, and have reached full size.
• Harvesting Tips: Harvest fruits regularly using clean pruners, leaving a short section of stem attached to encourage continuous production.