New Small White Eggplant

January

Every winter, the All-America Selections committee picks the best new plants for home gardeners.

For 2009, the committee has chosen four winners: Viola ‘Rain Blue and Purple,’ Eggplant ‘Gretel,’ Melon ‘Lambkin’ and Squash ‘Honey Bear.’ Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at each of the winners; today, the early-blooming new eggplant. (To see last week’s article on the viola, visit www.lohud.com/gardening.)

The glossy white ‘Gretel’ can be harvested in as little as 55 days, well before other eggplants make their way to the kitchen.

The 3- to 4-inch fruits grow in clusters and are surprisingly sweet to the taste, with very tender skin on the outside. And they remain sweet even if you let them mature beyond their ideal size.

‘Gretel’ plants stay relatively small, about 3 feet wide and tall, making them ideal for patio containers. If you do opt for a container, the AAS committee recommends that you choose a large one that’s about 16 inches deep.

Known botanically as Solanum melongena, this new eggplant was bred by Seminis Vegetable Seeds in Oxnard, Calif.

Look for AAS seeds and plants at the better nurseries, garden centers and mail-order Web sites.

For a look at other All-America Selections winners, visit www.all-americaselections.org. The Web site also has a retail locater section.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am by Bill Cary.
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One Response to “New Small White Eggplant”

stacy July 17th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
My white eggplant has begun curling it’s leave.The leaves are big and green and plena ty of flowers are blooming,but then fall off after closing up. Any idea of what is happening?

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