Eggplant is known to most people as a delicious vegetable used in many dishes. But not everyone knows how many varieties and hybrids of this plant exist. It takes a lot of time and effort to get this vegetable on our tables. Among the variety of varieties, we can distinguish those that were recently bred. They are more resistant to diseases and are optimal for growing both in greenhouses and in open ground. Many gardeners have long chosen the eggplant "black handsome." We will talk about the features of the variety and the technology for growing this vegetable in our article.
Plant history
Where did this strange, at first glance, vegetable come from? He came to us from India. There and now you can meet a plant in the wild, very much like an eggplant. Initially, it was used as a medicine. Only in the 15th century they began to eat it, and they learned how to cook it even later. In Europe he was nicknamed the "apple of love", or "crazy apple."
Everything depended on the effect that he produced. Gradually, Europeans began to fry it with butter and pepper like mushrooms. In the 17th century, eggplant came to America, and in the 18th to Russia. In our country, this plant has spread in the southern regions. The climate here was suitable, and for the color of the eggplant they began to call it also "blue."
Modern varieties
Today, many varieties of this plant are bred. Eggplant "black handsome" is one of them. There are hybrids of a round, oval, pear-shaped and ovoid form. Eggplant color is also diverse, from traditional purple to white, pink or purple. The eggplant variety "handsome black" has a wide pear-shaped shape. The fruits of this plant are large. Their length reaches 19 centimeters. The weight of eggplant "black handsome" can reach 900 grams. This variety got its name for its beautiful black and purple color.
Eggplant has a fairly dense pulp of
white color, which has virtually no bitterness. It is advised to eat young fruits that can not be peeled. Eggplants of medium ripeness should peel the skin before use. Then they are sprinkled with salt and left for some time so that unnecessary bitterness is gone. Eggplant "black handsome" can be eaten with peel.
The nutritional value of eggplant
The value of this vegetable was known in ancient times. It was appreciated earlier than taste. Eggplant is rich in potassium, so it is useful to eat it to improve cardiac activity. The fruits of this plant reduce blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of edema.
Fiber contained in eggplant normalizes intestinal function and prevents the onset of sclerosis. The fruits contain copper and iron, which helps to improve the
composition of the blood. With all its advantages, eggplant is a
low-calorie product and is recommended for dietary nutrition.
Choose varieties
To get a rich harvest and enjoy the taste of this magnificent vegetable, you need to choose the right varieties or hybrids. The latest generation hybrids are very resistant to diseases and their cultivation gives good results, but at the same time they require higher agricultural technology and better care.
Among hybrids, we can distinguish eggplant "black handsome". Reviews about him are only the most positive. Those who have tried to grow this hybrid, note a high yield and disease resistance. Especially this eggplant is recommended for cultivation in greenhouses or protected ground. The height of this plant reaches no more than 70 centimeters.
Features of agricultural technology
What you need to know to grow eggplant "handsome black"? The description is always on the bag with the seeds, but you should know a little more about the growing methodology. Like any other variety of this plant, it requires special conditions. This is a thermophilic culture that does not like drafts and sudden changes in temperature. The vegetative period of the hybrid, unlike other varieties, is not very long. From the first seedlings to the harvest takes from 110 to 145 days. It all depends on compliance with agricultural technology and the quality of seedlings. It is necessary to grow seedlings beforehand.
This applies to any varieties and hybrids of this plant. Eggplant "black handsome" is very picky about heat and light. Its growth may slow down if cloudy weather has established for a long time, the soil is highly acidified, high humidity of air and earth, and a very dense planting. All these factors greatly affect the development of the plant.
We plant seedlings
To get a strong and productive plant, you should choose the right seeds. They need to be purchased only from trusted companies. Only in this case, the eggplant "black handsome" will show excellent germination. Seed quality is the main criterion for a future crop. Then they are planted to obtain seedlings. What soil does the “black handsome” eggplant prefer? Reviews and expert advice recommend choosing a light, fertile land. The greenhouse should be well lit. It should not have wind or drafts. Sowing should be carried out from March 10 to March 20. This should not be done before, because by the time of transplanting, the seedlings will outgrow and will be difficult to take root in the ground. For greater effectiveness, seeds can be germinated beforehand. For seedlings, it is better to take separate small pots. The root system of eggplant is very vulnerable, and when transplanting it is better not to disturb it. As the seedlings grow, they can be placed in a large container. Black eggplant has a good leaf surface, so watering should be plentiful. At least two weeks before planting, it is necessary to begin hardening the seedlings in order to prepare it for natural conditions.
Transplanting
Eggplant "black handsome" is planted in the ground from May 15 to 30. By this time, plants should reach 20-25 centimeters and have about 8 healthy leaves. Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology, seedlings are compact in size, green in color and have strong roots. When planting eggplant in the suburbs in the open ground, it is better to cover them with foil. For the plant, it is necessary to equip the beds, the width of which is about 90 centimeters, and the height is 20-25 centimeters. The distance between the bushes should be at least 50 centimeters. These are large plants with a good leaf area.
For planting, make holes, pour a little humus and pour warm water. Eggplant is planted and sprinkled on top of the ground. Additional watering at this moment is not required. When the seedlings take root, be sure to mulch. Further care consists of watering and top dressing (nitrogen and phosphorus are needed for growth), cultivating the soil and weed control. Subject to all conditions, the yield of eggplant "black handsome" will be very high.