Different stages of Eggplant development
Hi fellow eggplant lovers! If you’re growing eggplant for the first time this gardening season, or if you’re just curious as to how this versatile and tasty little fruit grows…yes I did say fruit! You’ve come to the right place!
Here are some pictures of what you can expect from flower to harvest. For reference, I am growing a Black Beauty eggplant, one of the most common varieties.
Tiny flower unopened:
Flower opened and ready for pollination:
Flower closed
Flowers will close up after they have either been pollinated (leading to fruit) or if they have not been adequately pollinated. Not pollinated, the flower will eventually dry out and fall off of the plant. One way to know if the flower was pollinated and is going to produce fruit is by checking to see if the top spiked green “hat” looks slightly swollen.
Flower was pollinated, petals are gone, and the fruit is beginning to form:
Getting bigger:
Bigger still…
Harvest!
A “full-size” fruit can vary from variety to variety, depending on temperatures and growing conditions. What you look for in determining whether an eggplant is ready for harvest, is a good size (larger than you hand), with a slight “give” when you press it gently. Also, you want the skin to still have some shine to it; otherwise, if it is dull, you run the risk of it being overripe and not as tasty. Don’t worry about picking it on the “smaller side” as long as it is ripe!
I want to highlight the thorns you will find on the tops of the eggplant greens. These are NASTY. I have definitely hurt myself a couple of times with these thorns. I recommend wearing gloves and using pruning shears to cut the fruit from the plant since it will not twist off like other fruits and vegetables do when being harvested.
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or just a fan of eggplant, I hope you enjoyed seeing the developmental process in pictures and are motivated to grow eggplant too.
May God bless you and those you love!
<3 K & J
