Can I grow eggplants from store-bought produce?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Can you grow eggplants from store-bought produce? You sure can, but you won't get identical hybrids (heirloom varieties, however, will give you true replicas). This can save a significant amount of money and help you preserve the unique flavor of a cultivar you've found in the produce section. I've grown Rosa Bianca myself from finds in the supermarket.
Fruit Selection
- Choose fully ripe heirloom eggplants with glossy skin
- Avoid hybrids labeled F1 which produce unstable offspring
- Organic fruits often have viable untreated seeds
Seed Preparation
- Scoop seeds into jar with water for fermentation
- Stir daily for three days until pulp separates
- Rinse through fine mesh strainer repeatedly
Drying Technique
- Spread seeds on paper towels in single layer
- Dry in dark ventilated area for one week
- Store in labeled envelopes in cool dry place
Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last expected frost date using a quality seed-starting mix. Maintain soil temperatures between 75°F and 80°F using heating mats (if necessary). Transplant seedlings once they've developed 4 to 6 true leaves. Gradually harden off the plants over a period of 7 to 10 days before transplanting them into the garden.
Don't expect all your plant traits to be uniform, even amongst heirlooms. You may encounter some whose fruit shape or maturation timeframe varies from that of their siblings. This phenomenon occurs throughout nature and sometimes leads to pleasant surprises. I've gotten purple striped fruit from solid purple parents. Document what you find so you can track it in the future.
Low germination rates? Fresh seeds germinate best if used within the first two years. Soak overnight in chamomile tea to prevent fungal growth. Place the bottom water in trays, so the seeds won't be disturbed when watered from above, thin seedlings early to prevent promoting damping-off disease.
Harvest the fruits of your homegrown plants and repeat the seed saving cycle all over again. Every year, select seeds from your best plants and develop locally adapted strains. Exchange seeds with your gardening communities, and help to preserve genetic diversity.
Read the full article: How to Grow Eggplant Successfully at Home
