Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 12/21/2006 by pepperhead212 - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Gloucester, New Jersey, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
This was a novelty I had to try, given my love for Thai food, and, while it was good, I won't grow it again in this area. The seeds took an incredibly long time to germinate, the plants were very slow growing, at first, then, unlike other eggplant, they turned into trees! Wtih thorns on them nonetheless! They didn't produce until mid Aug., after starting them in very early Feb., but once they started I had to pick them nearly every day. I grew one in the ground and one in a 5 gal bucket, and it quickly became rootbound, as I didn't know how large these things got - over 8 feet, and still growing when killed by a freeze. (maybe a perennial in warmer areas?) I transplanted to a 20 gal container, and that got larger than the one in the ground. The flavor was good, but unusual, as it was bitter from the beginning (AKA bitter eggplant), but it was delicious in the traditional Thai curries - the reason I grew it. If only it were quicker and smaller! My source for seeds was http://www.rareseeds.com/