Eggplant Blue Queen [Solanum melongena]

The perennial eggplant 'Blue Queen' is an old and early variety that produces a generous yield. The undemanding variety is also suitable for outdoor cultivation in cooler climates. It develops purple fruits that have a very pleasant, intense and not bitter taste. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing in spring, good for mixed culture, harvesting the fruits.

 Description 
The 'Blue Queen' eggplant is an old and very early eggplant variety and surprises with a generous and long-lasting harvest. The variety is ideal for outdoor cultivation, but can also be grown well in pots. The compact, rather elongated small variety brings reliable yields and impresses with its medium-sized, approx. 200g purple fruits, with good plant health. The taste is pleasantly intense and not bitter. Overall, the variety is very undemanding, does not require any kind of support or intensive fertilization and is therefore ideal for the home garden.

 General information 
Plant family: Solanaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 120 days
Plant height approx.: 60 cm
Root type: Deep and shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 5.5 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 20-28 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 40x60 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 8-9 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Cabbage, Marigold, Lettuce, Spinach, Bean, Ice plant, Thyme, Radishes
Unfavorable mixed culture: Tomato, Pepper, Pea, Fennel, Potato, Beetroot, Physalis

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Pre-cultivation from January to April is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from March to May is recommended. The plants should ideally be located in a sheltered, warm and sunny location.

 General recommendations 
The best time to sow eggplants is spring because of the long development period. After the seeds have germinated in warm temperatures, the seedlings need cooler temperatures of around 15°C. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow to the first visible eggplant leaves, then transplant into the desired container. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed after the last frost, from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Eggplant 'Blue Queen' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Sufficient and consistent watering has a positive effect on fruit quality. At temperatures below 5°C, the plant reduces its growth. Regular harvesting increases yield. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds and cuttings.

 Plant care 
Loose, nutrient-rich and constantly moist soil is fundamentally important for growth and quality fruit formation. Depending on the condition of the soil, fertilization is recommended after 10 weeks and at intervals of 8 weeks.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Solanum melongena
English names: Eggplant, Aubergine
German names: Aubergine, Melanzani, Eierfrucht, Eierpflanze
Portuguese names: Beringela
Spanish names: Berenjena
French names: Aubergine

 Origin 
Country: Portugal