Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Again this year, I had to resort to the eggplant seeds from 2009. I wait for a hot summer, so I again can harvest mature seeds. This year we ate the whole harvest. I harvested on September 30, and the following week we had the luxury of our own tender eggplants.
Rima F3 No.3
The seed envelope from 2009 where I wrote “Rima F3 No.3” is a treasure. It is with no doubt my best eggplant seed envelope. This year more than half of the plants fruited in the open ground (seedlings was sown indoor before transplant, as the other years) despite a cool summer. However, in this cold summer I can’t imagine they can set seeds. Instead we have eaten them all, except one, which revealed some seeds that might mature, as I cut it open in the kitchen.
In the greenhouse, I have grown their cousins, Rima F3 No.1. (motherplants were siblings). I did so to highly increase my chances to harvest ripe seeds. Since this is the third year in open ground without harvest of mature seeds from my eggplants, I’m testing a new strategy. Should I grow my seedlings in the greenhouse, save seeds from each fruit separately and numbered? Then I can make comparative cultivation out in the kitchen garden, and this way recognize the best seed envelope for next generation (to be grown in the greenhouse…). It will not be quite as dogmatic plant breeding, but maybe it will speed up the process? I will sow my Rima F4 No.1. seeds next year, to learn if this strategy works for me. I would of course prefer to harvest my seeds from plants in the kitchen garden. Hopefully I come to that in the future.
PS. My garden tiles measures 40x40cm.
In the toad's garden 
October 15, 2012 at 10:10
NICE, I try twoo times to grow them with no success
October 15, 2012 at 19:09
Next time I harvest good seeds after a warm long summer, I’ll send you some seeds to try in your garden.
November 5, 2012 at 15:19
For the first time, I had 4 plants ( Gura Viola) in open ground and harvest only 4 aubergines ! I think I wont grow them next year. My garden is in Brittany (France). I dont have a green house, I grow my seedlings in the lounge, close to the french window. This summer was particularly cold in Brittany.
Congratulations for your beautiful harvest!
February 9, 2013 at 21:54
Thanks. The cultivar is very important for succes in open ground in a cool climate. I try to breed my own cultivar, to have a reliable harvest most years in open ground
February 9, 2013 at 03:12
I had exactly one seed from your eggplant the year I grew it (not last year which is for the best for it was a drought) and I plan on growing it out next year. Fingers crossed. Looking good 2009 Rima3 seed.
February 9, 2013 at 21:55
I cross my fingers for that seed to succeed 🙂
February 23, 2013 at 12:37
Very impressed!!
February 23, 2013 at 21:44
This is the best way to create hardier varieties – selection, selection, selection – 500 generations of farmers can’t be wrong 🙂