Guide in Planting Eggplant

Overview

Common Name: Eggplant / Talong
Scientific Name: Solanum melongena
Plant Type: Warm-season vegetable (perennial vine/shrub grown as an annual)
Uses: Culinary (tortang talong, pinakbet, grilling, stews), market crop; leaves and fruits used in many Filipino dishes.

Best Varieties for the Philippines

Variety	Features	Disadvantages	Typical Height
Dumaguete Long Purple (OP / local)	Long, slender deep-purple fruit; historically tolerant to temporary waterlogging; popular in Visayas and Mindanao	Fruit size can vary; older open-pollinated lines less uniform than hybrids.	60–100 cm
Casino (local / improved)	Glossy purple long fruits; widely used commercially	Moderate susceptibility to insect pests	60–90 cm
Mistisa / Mistisa F1	Productive, tender flesh, often striped or lighter purple; good for local fresh market	Some types require protection from heavy rain	50–90 cm
Calixto F1 / other commercial F1 (e.g., Sikat, Sulit, Tanglaw, Tanyag)	Modern F1 hybrids bred in the Philippines/seed companies: higher yield, uniform fruits, some disease tolerance (NSIC-approved hybrids available)	Seed cost higher (hybrids)	50–100 cm
Morena / Batangas Long Purple (local names)	Locally preferred types with glossy dark fruit and good eating quality	Regional names/traits vary; performance differs by locality	60–110 cm

🟢 Best Choice (summary): For home gardens: Dumaguete Long Purple (hardy local type) or Casino/Mistisa for reliable backyard yields. For market/serious gardeners: choose NSIC-approved F1 hybrids like Sikat / Tanglaw / Tanyag or company hybrids (Calixto F1, etc.) for uniformity and higher yield.

Germination from Seeds

Propagation Method: From seeds (most common) — or stem cuttings for some local types.
Seed Treatment: Soak seeds 6–8 hours in warm water to speed germination (optional). For commercial seed trays, use fresh seed with known germination %.
Germination Time: 5–14 days (typical under warm nursery conditions).
Ideal Soil pH: 5.5–6.8 (slightly acidic is preferred)
Soil Type: Light, well-draining sandy loam or loam mixed with compost and rice hull/sand for aeration
Why: Prevents damping-off and root rot while supplying early nutrients.
Planting Depth: 0.5–1 cm (cover lightly)
Light Exposure During Germination: Bright indirect light; seedlings respond well to warm, bright nursery benches.
Tip: Keep seed medium consistently moist (mist) but not waterlogged.

Transplanting

When to Transplant: 4–6 weeks after sowing, or when seedlings have 4–6 true leaves and are sturdy.
Spacing Between Plants: 50–60 cm within rows; 70–90 cm between rows for field; for compact varieties you can use 40–50 cm.
How Deep: Plant at same depth as nursery container; for long-fruited types you may bury slightly to encourage stem rooting.
Best Time to Transplant: Cloudy afternoon or early morning to reduce shock.
Sun Requirement: Full sun (6–8 hours daily) for best flowering and fruit set.

Growth & Soil Conditions

Sunlight Exposure: Full sun preferred.
Watering Needs: Regular watering, keep soil moist; reduce watering right before harvest to avoid fruit cracking.
Avoid: Waterlogging — causes root rot and increases disease pressure.
Ideal Soil Condition: Loose fertile loam, well-drained, plenty of organic matter.
Mulching: Rice straw or dried leaves to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Airflow: Maintain plant spacing and prune lower foliage to improve airflow (reduces fungal disease).

Fertilizer Needs

Stage	Fertilizer Type	Frequency	Purpose
Seedling / nursery	Vermicast, diluted compost tea	Every 1–2 weeks	Root establishment
Vegetative growth	Balanced (14-14-14) or organic compost	Every 3 weeks	Foliage & stem growth
Pre-flower / Flowering	Lower N, higher P & K (e.g., 10-20-20)	Every 2–3 weeks	Flowering & fruit set
Fruiting	Potassium boost (banana peel tea, wood ash)	Every 2 weeks	Fruit size, color, shelf life

⚠️ Note: Excess nitrogen after flowering favors leaves at the expense of fruits.

Pruning & Maintenance

Remove yellow/diseased leaves and lower suckers that crowd the stem.
Stake tall or heavy-fruited varieties to prevent lodging.
Thin excessive flowers/fruits if the plant is overloaded to improve fruit size.
Rotate crops: avoid planting eggplant in same bed >1 year to reduce soil-borne disease.

Common Pests & Diseases

Problem	Symptoms	Prevention / Control
Fruit borer / shoot borer	Holes or frass inside fruit; bored shoots	Roguing infected fruits; pheromone/sex traps; timely neem/chili sprays
Aphids / Whiteflies	Sticky honeydew, curled leaves	Neem oil, insecticidal soap; introduce beneficials
Bacterial wilt	Sudden wilting of healthy plants	Crop rotation; use resistant varieties; avoid waterlogged soils
Anthracnose / Leaf Spot	Brown/black spots on leaves/fruit	Improve airflow; organic fungicides (copper or compost tea)

🟡 Companion Tip: Plant marigold, basil or lemongrass around plots to help deter certain pests.

Flowering & Fruiting

Days to Flower: ~40–60 days after transplanting (varies with variety and climate).
Days to Harvest: Most local and hybrid varieties mature between 60–110 days from transplanting depending on the cultivar (e.g., some F1 hybrids are 55–70 DAT, local types often 70–100 DAT).
Pollination: Mostly self-pollinating, assisted by bees and wind.
Harvesting Tip: Pick glossy firm fruits; remove promptly to encourage more fruiting.

Growth Conditions & Lifespan

Lifespan: Typically treated as annual in intensive production; plants can fruit for 4–8 months under good care.
Can Regrow From: Rooted stem cuttings can be used for quick propagation of some local types.
Temperature Range: 22–32°C optimal.
Soil: Loose, well-draining loam with compost.

Best & Worst Planting Months (Philippine Climate)

Season	Months	Recommendation
Dry Season (Amihan)	November – April	✅ Best time: less disease pressure, better fruit set
Rainy Season (Habagat)	June – October	⚠️ Possible heavy disease/pest pressure — use raised beds or protected beds

Additional Tips

Seeds & Hybrids: If you want consistent fruit size and disease tolerance, choose NSIC-approved hybrids or reputable company F1 lines (Calixto F1, Sikat, Tanglaw, Tanyag, etc.). For low-cost, hardy backyard planting, trusted local open-pollinated types (Dumaguete Long Purple, Casino, Batangas Long) are still very common.
Soil Reuse: Rotate with legumes to restore nitrogen and reduce buildup of eggplant pests/diseases.
Seed Saving: Only save seed from open-pollinated varieties (not hybrids); dry seed from fully mature fruits.