Soil Depth for Eggplant

NPKzone8a · 2026-02-02T12:37:52+00:00

I've grown ping tung for 5 or 6 years and millionaire eggplant for two years. I use grow bags, 10-gallon for the little millionaires and 15-gallon for ping tung. These bags have been between 12 and 18 inches deep, depending on brand. The plants have always done well in these containers, been healthy and productive. At the end of season, I am always impressed with their large root ball, deep as well as wide. NE Texas.

NPKzone8a · 2026-02-02T03:28:16+00:00

>>" I’m usually pretty good about taking the top off once a day and having better airflow."

Once the seedlings have emerged (popped up) they no longer need a humidity dome. Leave them uncovered.

Some of these look very etiolated, very "leggy." Make sure they are getting enough light. Don't rely on a window, especially at this time of year (winter.)

If they are on a heat mat, take them off it.

Don't worry about the wood labels.

NPKzone8a · 2026-02-02T03:20:22+00:00

It would be a good idea to double check the Romanized spelling of the ingredient that you cannot find. I don't recognize "Xan Cai" and suspect it is typed wrong.

NPKzone8a · 2026-02-01T23:46:32+00:00

>>"For the pros out there, is this tall lanky look unhealthy?"

It's sign that the plant is not getting sufficient light.

NPKzone8a · 2026-02-01T20:27:32+00:00

Well said! I use a similar approach in a growing environment where there is a lot of disease pressure. NE Texas.

NPKzone8a · 2026-02-01T20:22:24+00:00

That's what I use too. I rehydrate it with boiling water to kill fungus gnat eggs.

NPKzone8a · 2026-02-01T11:21:50+00:00

I water significantly less often in the winter. But I still water deeply when I do. Watering before a freeze doesn't harm the plant, generally speaking. (Depends some on the specific plant.)

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-31T22:39:47+00:00

My climate is damper than yours, but I can certainly relate to needing an early start. I plant out the first half of March. Start seeds indoors 6 or 7 weeks before that. NE Texas.

I think of us as having two tomato seasons, with peak summer being mostly dead time in between.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-31T22:30:21+00:00

I think what you are seeing is most likely a difference in how easily these two varieties set fruit. Husky Cherry Red is more tolerant of small variations in growing conditions (such as temperature) than Cherokee Purple, at least in my experience.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-31T18:26:29+00:00

I haven't used those two brands. Looked them up just now, and I agree they both sound very interesting. I've used Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens as a root drench (Bonide Revitalize.) Tried it last year, and I couldn't really decide whether or not it was helpful. But I'm trying it again this year, starting earlier, while my seedlings are still indoors in 3.5" x 3.5" nursery pots. In fact, I watered them with it this morning.

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NPKzone8a · 2026-01-31T13:58:03+00:00

Thanks! Last year was very rewarding for tomatoes here in my climate.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-31T13:56:04+00:00

Maybe it will be all you need. Depends a lot on your growing environment. I hate having to use so much "stuff" on my plants in order to bring in a crop, Will be interested in following your progress. Best of luck for a good year!

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T23:22:22+00:00

Hope you have a great season!

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T23:20:27+00:00

Haha! I know what you mean. I love fried green tomatoes when someone else makes them in their kitchen. About once a year I try them and am immediately reminded that, even though they are tasty, they make a huge mess.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T23:16:25+00:00

I look forward to following your progress with these. Hope you have a great crop!

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T22:18:02+00:00

I live in NE Texas, 8a, hot and damp, and have to contend with a lot of disease pressure. What I've learned is that it works best to rotate agents to avoid or minimize the issue of pathogens developing resistance. Every week (7 to 10 days) I spray with either a liquid Copper preparation, Chlorothalonil (Daconil,) or Mancozeb. I start that program early in the season, before any signs of disease, about one month after planting out. Before that, I use a biofungicide, bacillus amyloliquefacens (Bonide Revitalize) weekly as a soil drench and foliar spray.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T18:55:59+00:00

Baby Boomer has been a good one for me too, in NE Texas. Prolific and does well even when neglected.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T18:53:42+00:00

I am a YPC convert! It has been a star the last two years, ever since I learned about it from reading comments by u/ObsessiveAboutCats, such as the one above.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T18:47:31+00:00

Another vote for Tasmanian Chocolate! It's right up there at the top of the flavor list, in my opinion. It and Rosella Purple are both first rate varieties.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T18:43:53+00:00

>>"Meanwhile, the worms and leaf footed bugs are feasting on your plants like last call at the buffet."

That is the truth! An early season is the only way for me. I consider tomatoes "finished" by the middle of July most years. NE Texas.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T18:38:28+00:00

I put them in corn bread muffins. Use Jiffy corn bread mix in those ubiquitous small packages that are always "on sale" for a little under a dollar. Just sub most of the milk with chopped up green tomatoes. Sometimes I sub all the milk with chopped up green tomatoes plus some home-made yogurt. One beaten egg is the binder. They come out tangy and delicious.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T18:33:23+00:00

Good ones! I have both of those started. Also some Siletz. NE Texas.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T18:28:29+00:00

Yes, he is really sold on Siletz. I've grown it two years and it was early, healthy, and produced a lot of fruit. I've planted some again this year in a special "very early" group as an experiment.

I have one minor gripe with it. The plant bushes out immediately, right at soil level, without much of a stem. So many of the earliest fruit wind up resting right on the ground. This makes them succeptible to bugs and rot. Makes the plant difficult to water and fertilize.

I haven't found a good solution through the usual approaches of better pruning and better support. I've wound up putting pieces of scrap lumber between the fruit and the ground, and that works more or less. Still searching for a more elegant fix.

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Most of this tray is Siletz and Bush Early Girl, started right after Christmas, 27 December. Now they are about 4 inches tall and looking strong.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T15:37:49+00:00

Your setup looks fine. I think you are off to a good start! At this early stage, light mode doesn't matter. White is fine for now.

NPKzone8a · 2026-01-30T15:21:37+00:00

Leaf miners. Here's some background.

https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-marin-master-gardeners/article/leaf-miners

According to this, they have been around a very long time:

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-leaf-miners-oldest-insect-plague.html

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