We have grown aubergines in our polytunnel and they look healthy but set very few fruits. Do they like to be misted or perhaps no water on the plant? Any knowledge as to how to get aubergine to set fruit appreciated.
Try hand-pollinating them Catherine. The problem with growing them under cover is that the insects can't easily get to them. Take a small very soft brush (like an artists paintbrush or make-up brush) and gently push it into the centre of every open flower. If you do that every day, most of the fruit should set providing other conditions are right.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
I don't have a heated greenhouse so had no success in growing from seed but do have success buying a couple of cheap grafted plants from B&Q (before they kill them)
A tip from my Turkish neighbour: remove the 2 side flowers from each set of 3 to encourage fruits to form and loads of tomatoe feed! definetly made a difference!
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certain varieties can, however if you are any further north than Manchester you'll still have trouble outdoors.
even in a greenhouse I find they're more hassle than they're worth the grow. much better to use the space for tomatoes or peppers.
We have grown aubergines in our polytunnel and they look healthy but set very few fruits. Do they like to be misted or perhaps no water on the plant? Any knowledge as to how to get aubergine to set fruit appreciated.
Try hand-pollinating them Catherine. The problem with growing them under cover is that the insects can't easily get to them. Take a small very soft brush (like an artists paintbrush or make-up brush) and gently push it into the centre of every open flower. If you do that every day, most of the fruit should set providing other conditions are right.
I don't have a heated greenhouse so had no success in growing from seed but do have success buying a couple of cheap grafted plants from B&Q (before they kill them)
A tip from my Turkish neighbour: remove the 2 side flowers from each set of 3 to encourage fruits to form and loads of tomatoe feed! definetly made a difference!