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| Hi all, I live in zone 3 (temps more around zone 2). The day I took this picture it was no more than 80 degrees outside. I found some eggplants on sale when they were just babies at a local nursery, and even though I heard they were picky, I just snagged some anyway. I stuck them in the ground, but due to my cukes and zukes getting too big, the poor little eggplant got shoved against a trellis so I potted him which they suggest anyway. So far, they're doing ok I guess, though I don't expect them to bear fruit just cuz they're not really big and it doesn't get super hot here on a consistent basis. What's confusing me is the wilting in the sun. During the afternoon when he's in full sun, he just wilts and curls away. It's really amazing because in the morning and evening when the plant is looking healthy, the leaves are so firm you could almost "snap" them if you bent them to far. But an hour in the sun and they feel like onion paper until the sun goes back down again. It's left me scratching my head, water doesn't really help. Don't these guys like lots of sun? I also have some eggplants in the ground in the veggie garden sharing a bed with some other things and he's doing fine even on the hottest days. Any thoughts? In Canada where I am, I dare not move him in the shade for fear that he just wouldn't get the warmth he needs. Thanks in advance! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by Bloomin_Onion none (My Page) on Thu, Jul 3, 14 at 16:08
| PS. the pics were taken just minutes apart, ty! |
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| That isn't wilt. It is called Physiological leaf Roll and is caused by stress of some kind. The most common cause of it is inconsistent soil moisture levels. Either overly dry followed by soaking wet by too dry, etc. or by heavily over-watering - keeping the soil consistently soaking wet. It is common following periods of heavy rain but if you haven't had that then the most likely cause is you keeping the soil too wet. Eggplant, just like peppers prefer to dry out some (not totally) between waterings, and then to be watered lightly, not soaked. Simply put they don't like mud. :) Dave |
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- Posted by Bloomin_Onion none (My Page) on Thu, Jul 3, 14 at 20:06
| Wow, thank you Dave! Very helpful! |
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- Posted by Slimy_Okra 2b (My Page) on Thu, Jul 3, 14 at 20:14
| I too would guess moisture fluctuations as the most likely cause. Eggplants are a little slow to root and establish when nights are cool (as I imagine they are - where do you live, btw? I'm near Saskatoon). Maintain even moisture - not too wet and not too dry. As for lower leaves that senesce, they wilt naturally before falling off. What variety is it? Most of the Asian varieties especially the new hybrids will mature quickly - a 6 week picking period is standard around here, and it can be extended to 10 weeks with some babying. |
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