Turkish Orange Eggplant – 10 Seeds

Turkish Orange Eggplant Seeds. Also known as Scarlet Eggplant or Ethiopian Eggplant,  Solanum melongena ‘Turkish Orange’, is a Turkish Heirloom brinjal. Originally from Turkey and quite popular in all the Mediterranean countries. It produces dozens of tennis ball sized orange-red fruit that resemble small tomatoes.

It is a very heavy producer. The plants are very compact plants and you can grow in containers as well as the garden. The fruit is best picked when the fruits begin to turn from green to cream. It is far sweeter than Asian varieties.

Growing Turkish Orange Eggplant

Indoor Sowing: Late Winter and Early Spring.

Direct Sowing: Spring and Early Summer.

• Eggplants grow fastest when temperatures are between 21 and 30°C and grow very slowly during cooler weather.
• Although usually grown as an annual, the plant can be grown as a perennial in areas with mild winters, by pruning the plant back in Late Autumn or Early Winter. In areas with very cold winters, potted plants can be placed indoors or in a greenhouse during winter.
• Direct Sow in Spring to Mid-Summer or start seeds indoors in Late Winter to Early Spring.
• Surface sow the Eggplant Seeds in 5 – 10cm pots and cover with a thin layer of soil or seed starter mix.
• Keep the soil evenly moist and place the pots in a sunny location protected from harsh rays.
• Germination takes about 14 days.
• Harden off the plants before transplanting them in a sunny location of the garden.
• Eggplants can also be successfully grown in containers. If you’re growing eggplant in pots, use a dark-colored container that will absorb more sunlight.
• Eggplant will fall over once loaded with fruit, so be sure to stake tall plants or use a cage to keep the plants upright.
• If growing eggplant in containers, stake the stems before the fruit forms.