Are you looking for something unique to add to your vegetable patch this year? Why not try growing some unusual aubergines! There are nine varieties of aubergine that are perfect for adding a touch of the exotic to your garden.
From the long and slender ‘Fairy Tale’ to the round and black ‘Black Beauty’, these unusual aubergines are sure to bring a splash of colour and flavour to your plate. With their unusual shapes and sizes, they are sure to be the talking point of any dinner party.
Learn more about these nine unusual aubergines and discover how to get the best out of them in your garden.
The benefits of growing unusual aubergines
As a UK garden expert, growing unusual aubergines is a unique and enjoyable way to spruce up a home garden. Unusual aubergines come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from huge dark purple to light green orbs.
With the right care and expertise, they can thrive in any climate, whether it’s a dry Mediterranean climate, by the sea, or up on the top of a mountain. The benefits of growing unusual aubergines are numerous. The unique shapes and sizes of the aubergines help to create a visual interest and can add a touch of wonder and joy to a home garden.
Not to mention, they are also delicious! With their smooth and tender skin and firm, creamy centres, eating unusual aubergines is an exotic experience that many are not familiar with. When looking to plant new unusual aubergines, it’s best to start with nine unusual varieties that have adapted to various climates.
For instance, the Heirloom Rosa Bianca come from Italy and offer delicious, mild-flavored, pink-striped fruits with excellent texture. Similarly, the Cyprus Black is highly drought tolerant, and its dark purple fruits are perfect for grilling and salads.
Additionally, the Dwarf White Eggplant produces small, white, knobby aubergines that are great for pickling and light stir-frys. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, the numerous benefits of growing unusual aubergines make it an exciting and rewarding activity. With the right know-how and passion, your garden could soon be filled with unique shapes and sizes of aubergines that are sure to tantalise your taste buds.
Tips for growing unusual aubergines
Gardening is a popular hobby that offers a wide range of opportunities to express your own creativity. Growing unusual aubergines, specifically nine of the most mysterious varieties, is one of them.
To successfully grow these intriguing vegetables in your garden, there are some simple tips that you must consider. Firstly, it is essential to choose the right location for your garden, as these aubergines move slowly and require a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. The soil should be well-drained, but also rich in nutrients and nitrogen for their growth.
Make sure to add in some compost, manure, or grass clippings to the soil% to feed these aubergines and to ensure their health. Secondly, it is important to water these unusual aubergines regularly and consistently, but not to excess. Overwatering can have a detrimental effect on them and impede their growth.
Additionally, keep an eye out for pests like aphids, armyworms, and caterpillars, as they can greatly damage your plants. Regularly spraying your aubergines with a garlic or pepper spray can help tackle these problems.
Lastly, pollination is essential to the growth of your unusual aubergines and therefore, you need to make sure that the plants are well-pollinated. As these are self-pollinating plants, this should not be too difficult – but nevertheless, it is an important step for healthy growth. Provide them with a bit of extra assistance by using a tiny paintbrush to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
Following these simple tips should ensure that your aubergines grow successfully and produce the desired fruit. With a bit of dedication and patience, you should have a plentiful harvest of nine unusual aubergines to show off from your garden.
The different types of unusual aubergines
. Growing unusual aubergines can be a delightfully rewarding experience, provided you have a suitable environment with enough sun and humidity. Unusual aubergine varieties are full of flavour, have vibrant colours and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures.
With over nine different varieties to choose from, there is something to suit every taste and gardening space. In order to grow some of these unusual aubergines, you need to give them reliably warm temperatures, bright light, and adequate water and nutrients.
For instance, the Little Fingers variety is particularly suited to smaller spaces such as balconies and container-based gardens. It produces small, bullet-shaped glossy fruits with a mild, sweet taste. If you are looking for something more exotic, try Anand’s Green.
It is a green variety of aubergine with a unique, spongy, almost bitter taste. Finally, you may want to consider investing in some of the more unique varieties such as Listada de Gandia or Uovo di Kuovo.
These unusual aubergines have striking purple and white striped skin with a distinct, creamy texture and a wonderfully sweet flavour. Whatever type of aubergine you are after, you won’t regret trying some of these unusual and interesting varieties.
How to harvest and store unusual aubergines
Harvesting and storing unusual aubergines doesn’t have to be a difficult task, even though it may seem confusing at first. There are a variety of aubergines available to us for many different purposes, and this blog will help guide you in the right direction. Nine unusual aubergines to grow are: rosita, coira, pisto, lapparella, panzana, griottine, rapa rosa, crescentina, and tromba di Albenga.
Each of these varieties has its own flavor, size, and color, so it’s important to pay close attention to the needs of each variety when harvesting and storing them. When harvesting, be sure to pick the aubergines at the right point in their ripeness.
Rositas, for instance, boast a sweeter taste with their mild skin and are best harvested when the skin is still slightly green. Coira has fewer seeds and should be harvested when feeling firm to the touch.
For pisto and lapparella, the opposite is true – slightly softer and with fewer seeds. Panzana, griottine, and rapa rosa are all more tart in flavor and should be left on the vine until soft to the touch. Finally, crescentina and tromba di Albenga should be harvested when the skin is shiny but still firm.
When storing the aubergines, choose an airtight container, keeping in mind that each variety will require different levels of humidity. Rositas can be stored in the fridge with high humidity, Coira and Pisto can be stored for up to a week at room temperature, Lapparella and Panzana require low humidity to stay firm, Griottine and Rapa Rosa need to be refrigerated with low humidity, and Crescentina and Tromba di Albenga require medium to high humidity when storing in the fridge. Ultimately, with the right harvesting and storage practices, growing and maintaining an unusual aubergine garden can be a rewarding experience.
Knowing the different needs of each variety will help ensure that each one is harvested and stored correctly, so you can enjoy its unique flavor and texture.
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Conclusion
This article explores nine unusual varieties of aubergines that are easy to grow. These include the White Star, the Thai Green, the Rosa Bianca, and the Black Beauty.
All of these varieties have unique characteristics and flavors that make them stand out from the standard aubergine. With a little care and attention, these unusual varieties can be grown in any garden, adding a unique twist to your vegetable patch.
FAQ
What are the benefits of growing unusual aubergines?
The benefits of growing unusual aubergines include the potential for unique flavors, interesting colors, and a wider variety of dishes to prepare. Additionally, growing unusual aubergines can provide a great opportunity to learn more about different varieties of the vegetable and their unique characteristics.
What are some of the most unusual aubergine varieties?
Some of the most unusual aubergine varieties include the White Eggplant, the Rosa Bianca Eggplant, the Listada de Gandia Eggplant, the Round Mauve Eggplant, the Long Purple Eggplant, and the Thai Green Eggplant.
How do you care for unusual aubergines?
To care for unusual aubergines, it is important to keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. They should also be kept away from other fruits and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination. When handling, it is important to wear gloves to avoid any skin contact. When preparing, it is important to wash the aubergines thoroughly before cutting or cooking.
What are the best climates for growing unusual aubergines?
The best climates for growing unusual aubergines are warm, humid climates with plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil.
What are the most common pests and diseases that affect unusual aubergines?
The most common pests and diseases that affect unusual aubergines include Alternaria solani (early blight), Phytophthora capsici (late blight), and Fusarium oxysporum (Fusarium wilt). Other pests that can affect aubergines include aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and mites.
What are the best soil conditions for growing unusual aubergines?
The best soil conditions for growing unusual aubergines are moist, well-drained, and nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
