Due to its high taste properties, the vegetable is becoming increasingly popular. Eggplants are a capricious crop and many summer residents are sure that it is difficult to grow beautiful, large fruits in open ground. For a rich harvest, it is enough to have the necessary knowledge about the features of growing and caring for bushes. The eggplant variety Violet Miracle is ideal for open ground.
Description of the variety Purple Miracle
The variety does not like extreme heat.On especially hot days, the growth of fruits and bushes stops. As a result, the harvest is delayed by several weeks.
Description:
- from the moment of seedling germination to technical maturity, 95-100 days pass;
- The length of the fruit reaches 20 centimeters. Diameter – 4-6 centimeters. Maximum weight – 135 grams;
- fruits are cylindrical, dark purple in color;
- A harvest of up to 8 kilograms is harvested per square meter. In a greenhouse - up to 13 kilograms;
- suitable for preservation;
- The dense, greenish-white flesh has a pleasant taste without bitterness.
Characteristics of eggplant
Purple miracle is a hardy variety that does not require special care.
Characteristics:
- bushes are semi-standard, compact;
- suitable for open ground;
- foliage is slightly pubescent, green;
- there are no large spines on the calyx;
- Purple miracle is an early ripening variety;
- fruits have a long period of transition from technical maturity to biological maturity;
- maximum height of bushes – 90 centimeters;
- eggplants tolerate transportation well and are characterized by their ability to be stored for a long time;
- even in bad weather conditions the bush forms ovaries.
Growing eggplants in open ground
Purple miracle is profitable to grow in open ground. The bushes easily tolerate temperature changes and produce a bountiful harvest. Even the smallest bushes produce several large fruits. To get maximum yield, follow simple recommendations.
Landing dates
The seedlings are transplanted into the ground 40-50 days after sowing the seeds. Therefore, seeds are planted in the second ten days of March.
Soil preparation
An important factor influencing the development of the bush and yield is the planting location. Choose a neat and sunny area.Also, fruit growth depends on the crops that grew in the garden last season.
It is not recommended to plant after:
- potatoes;
- tobacco;
- peppers;
- eggplant.
It is recommended to plant after:
- greenery;
- melons;
- legumes.
Soil preparation begins in the fall:
- A mixture of fertilizers is distributed in an even layer on the beds. Use mineral and organic;
- dig up.
In the spring, they dig up again and form beds. The recommended width is 70 centimeters. The row spacing is 60 centimeters.
Preparing seedlings
For seedlings, special containers are used, with a separate section for each sprout, or pots.
Seed preparation:
- The seeds are checked for germination. To do this, they are placed in water and left for three hours. Empty seeds will float on the surface. They cannot be used for sowing.
- Those that have fallen to the bottom are laid out on moistened gauze, which is rolled up in several layers. Keep warm for 6 days. Occasionally spray with a spray bottle.
Before sowing the seeds, the soil is calcined in an oven. Use special soil designed for eggplants. Sprouted seeds are placed in the soil to a depth of three centimeters. Then water generously and cover with film.
Store in a dark place. The ideal temperature is 25 degrees.
After 7 days, the first shoots will begin to appear. The film is removed and the containers are moved to the windowsill. To ensure uniform growth of seedlings and root systems, seedlings periodically turn in the direction against which the sprout is stretching.
Landing
A month before transplanting, they begin to harden the seedlings. The containers are exposed to open air for a couple of hours, gradually increasing the residence time.To protect plants during this period from diseases, the bushes are sprayed with a weak solution of copper sulfate. By the first days of June, the seedlings are fully formed and ready for transplanting.
Important rules:
- on the day of transplantation, in the morning, dig holes at a distance of 45 centimeters from each other;
- pour plenty of water and leave until evening. It is recommended to replant bushes after sunset;
- containers with seedlings are filled with water. Carefully move the bushes with a lump of earth into the hole;
- water and, compacting, sprinkle with dry soil.
How to care for the “Purple Miracle”
During the entire growth period, you will have to regularly perform simple actions:
- watering;
- feeding;
- weeding.
Watering and weeding
Eggplants need moist soil. For irrigation use settled water. After transplanting, the bushes are watered at the root. After the liquid is absorbed, the soil around the plant is loosened. When the plants take root, water is released into the furrows. Watering is carried out in the evening hours, after sunset.
Eggplants cannot grow normally when adjacent to weeds, so you will need to constantly weed the beds.
Fertilizer
The bushes are fed for the first time two weeks after transplantation. To do this, mix:
- 10 liters of water;
- 40 grams of superphosphate;
- 20 grams of potassium salt;
- 30 grams of ammonium nitrate.
Chicken manure diluted in 10 liters of water with 200 grams of ash is also used for feeding.
After three weeks, a second feeding is carried out. Fertilize with a solution:
- 10 liters of water;
- 40 grams of potassium salt;
- 80 grams of superphosphate;
- 30 grams of urea.
The third feeding is carried out at the beginning of fruiting with the prepared solution:
- 20 grams of potassium chloride;
- 70 grams of urea;
- 10 liters of water;
- 70 grams of superphosphate.
To avoid burning the bush, after fertilizing the soil is spilled with clean water.
A week after fertilizing, you can additionally fertilize the soil with wood ash. She:
- helps contain the spread of rot;
- thanks to the potassium it contains, it improves the taste of fruits;
- helps protect bushes from slugs and slugs;
- alkalizes the soil.
Sprinkle the beds with ash after watering.
Bush formation
To enhance the branching of the tops of the bushes, pinch out the grown stems at a height of 30 centimeters. To prevent the formation of small fruits, constantly pay attention to the correct formation of plantings.
Each bush should have:
- 5 side shoots;
- 7-8 ovaries.
During the entire period of bush growth, yellowed foliage is removed.
If you follow all the recommendations, the Purple Miracle will give a bountiful harvest of strong, tasty fruits.
Protection from diseases and pests
Bushes are often attacked by:
- white and green aphids;
- Colorado beetle.
The bushes are regularly inspected. If insects are found, treat them with a tobacco-soap solution. The procedure is carried out in the evening. Drops of water under the influence of the sun leave burns on the leaves, which often leads to the death of the bushes.
Colorado beetles pose a great danger to bushes, as they can completely eat all the leaves within a day.
Before the first ovaries appear, insects can be controlled using chemicals. The beetles are then collected by hand. A fine net stretched around the bushes helps prevent insect attacks. A sufficient height is a meter. The beetles will not be able to climb higher.
The plant is resistant to:
- spider mite attacks;
- verticillium wilt.
Collection and storage
The variety has a long fruiting period. The harvest is harvested before the first frost, around October.Twice a week, bushes are inspected for the presence of fruits that have reached technical maturity. For long-term storage, the fruits are cut off along with the stalk. Mature specimens are placed in a dry room with a temperature of 4-6 degrees. After two weeks, the fruits are sorted, leaving only strong, undamaged specimens. Wipe with a dry cloth. Wrap in thick paper and store for up to three months.
