Growing Aubergine, Brinjal or Eggplant (From seeds to fruits)

Aubergine or Eggplant can be propagated from seeds, stem cuttings or graftings. However the cutting does not root readily unless applied suitable rooting hormone such as Indole Acetic Acid at the appropriate concentration. The success rate is not promising under commercial scale. Therefore the most preferable method to propagate brinjals is by germinating the seeds under protection and transplant the young plants in large pots or open field to fruit. This process takes a minimum of 2 to 3 months depending on the cultivars and the environmental condition. The following pictures show my Eggplant growing from seeds to fruits.



The seeds are planted 5mm deep using compost. It must be kept moist all the time and germination occurs as early as Day 5 post planting. I am germinating it in the tropical climate. Temperature ranges 28 to 32 degree Celcius. In temperate climate, a heating mat may be beneficial in speedig up germination and improving rate of germination.



Day 7: More seeds germinated.

Day 10: Seedlings sprouting its very first true leaf.

Day 15: The true leaves gradually expanding.



Day 20: The true leaves expand further to receive more sunlight.





Day 25: Transplanted individual pots.





Day 35: Transplanted into polystyrene pots.







Day 45: Transplanted into teracotta pot. One of the shoot has been removed from the plant for grafting onto appropriate rootstock.

 

Day 60: Post grafting, the shoot has developed into a vigorous eggplant tree.



Day 55: Flowering.



Day 60: Fruit bud formation.

Day 65: Fruit bud grows bigger.

Day 75 > Fruit maturity.

Day 80: More fruit growing bigger.

Day 90: Multiple fruits.