Speaking Of Eggplant.....

[GoDawgs]

I've noticed that my eggplant plants produce best during the first six weeks or so. After that, the quantity is there (maybe even more as the plant is larger by then) but the size of the fruit is smaller. Does that happen to anyone else?

I'm wondering if I pruned the plant when fruit size starts to decrease would help. Or what about removing flowers to concentrate energy into the fruit I've let set? Kind of like thinning fruit on fruit trees to let the remaining fruit get larger. That may be the better option. Do any of you do this?

An experiment is in order this summer, I think.

[pepperhead212]

You might be right - the fruits get a little smaller, because the numbers increase. And even the ones that stop producing due to heat, then start up again, don't have the larger ones starting out then. But, they still produce like crazy! I never pull any blossoms, to increase the size, however.

[PlainJane]

I noticed that as well ... and started harvesting a little earlier so the plant had only a few fruit ripening at any given time.