Growing eggplants in Siberia in the open field now does not seem like a fantastic task.
Modern science offers many varieties that are resistant to harsh conditions.
On how to grow eggplants in Siberia and about all the difficulties and subtleties that will have to face on this path - in our article.
When to plant eggplants for seedlings in Siberia?
Since the summer in Siberia is short, therefore, the choice of eggplant for growing should be done in favor of early varieties or hybridsThis is the first rule, it will allow them to fully ripen and get a good harvest.
The second rule: you must choose varieties that are resistant to temperature and tolerate low temperatures. Now on the market a lot of these seeds. Read more about seed preparation before sowing.
Varieties suitable for sowing eggplants for seedlings in Siberia: "Purple Miracle", "Nutcracker", "Sailor", "Robin Hood". In the short Siberian summer, these varieties have time to fully mature, in addition, they have good yields and a number of other advantages.
To avoid problems at the very beginning, it is necessary to strictly observe the lighting mode: seedlings loves light, temperature and watering.
You should also monitor harmful insects that can cause irreparable harm to small shoots. A very important point will be the choice of containers for growing seedlings, they should be spacious and disinfected.
How to plant eggplants for seedlings in Siberia? Seedlings are grown only in heated greenhouses. Since another option is not possible not only in Siberia, but even in the southern regions. From the moment the seeds were planted in the ground and up to their shoots 80-90 days pass.
Planted seedlings in late May, even early Junewhen the threat of frost has passed. It turns out the seeds for seedlings should be planted in late February, early March. Strongly delay the time is not worth it, since the plant has a long vegetative period and eggplants do not have time to mature, even early-growing varieties.
Planting in open ground
IMPORTANT! The best time for planting eggplant seedlings in open ground is the beginning of June, when the threat of frost is guaranteed to pass. Varieties of early ripening are recommended for planting in open ground.
Severe conditions can be offset by soil composition. It must contain a lot of organic matter and be of a neutral composition. To reduce the acidity, you can use chalk or dolomite flour, both products are good and effective and most importantly safe, since they are completely natural.
By mechanical qualities loose and loamy soils are best suited. Therefore, it is better to prepare it before landing.
To do this, take the sand at the rate of one bucket per square. m. of land. Then dig up everything and how to loosen it. Areas where potatoes grew in the past season are not recommended for planting eggplants.
For cultivation in unprotected soil should choose a lighted place, preferably without shadow and drafts. To create optimal conditions, use the following planting pattern: between seedlings of 40-50 cm and 50-60 cm between rows.
This method of planting does not give thickening and all plants will have enough light, this is especially important in the conditions of the Siberian summer. After planting in open ground, young shoots at first should be protected at night with covering material.
For this, gardeners use non-woven "Agrotex" or "Spunboard". After the bushes finally strengthened, protection can be removed.
Features care for seedlings
Eggplant can be attacked by a spider mite, Colorado potato beetle, and other pests that eat solanaceous crops. With aphids, mites and thrips can be fought by washing them with soapy water, but the drug "Confidor" and "Barrier" will be more effective.
From the Colorado potato beetle effectively take the means "Prestige". Since eggplant seedlings are still grown in greenhouses, she is also threatened by the greenhouse whitefly, for many years the drug "Confidor" has been successfully used against her.
Most modern varieties and hybrids of eggplant, especially for northern latitudes, have a very high resistance to diseases, including fungal ones. But this does not mean that gardeners can relax, prevention has not been canceled.
Timely watering, plentiful, but not frequent, good lighting and low landing density - This is the first step to healthy plants. But on the site there is everything. If your planting was affected by root rot, watering should be reduced.
Black leg is an incurable disease that threatens to move to other plants. To avoid this, the affected bushes are removed, and the places where they grew, are treated with a disinfecting solution. Unfortunately, only such radical measures can prevent the spread of the disease to the rest of the bushes.
In addition, to provide eggplant bushes with micronutrients, feedings with such preparations as "Zircon +" and "Tsitovit" should be carried out every 25-30 days. This will fully satisfy the plant’s need for all the necessary substances.
Eggplant Bushes need a garter, and its branches must be strengthened with supports, since the fruits are quite large, which can cause them to be broken off.
When the plant reaches 30-45 cm in height, it can pinch, leaving no more than 6 ovaries.
Growing a good crop of this capricious sucker-seed in the Siberian conditions is not more difficult than in the south, if you take the appropriate variety. Following our instructions and advice you will succeed, good luck to you.
So, we figured out when to sow eggplants for seedlings in Siberia, gave approximate dates of sowing seeds, and gave advice on how to grow eggplants in Siberia?
Useful materials
Read other articles about growing and caring for eggplant seedlings:
- Different methods of cultivation: in peat tablets, in a snail and even on toilet paper.
- All features of sowing according to the lunar calendar.
- Golden rules for growing from seed.
- Features of cultivation in various regions of Russia: in the Urals and in the suburbs.
- Dive tips.
