Superbly slender and tender, this excellent heirloom eggplant originated in Ping Tung, Taiwan, where it is the standard variety. Introduced to the United States in the mid-1900s, Ping Tung Long is one of the most sought-after Asian eggplants.
Ping Tung is easy to grow and does well in cool and warm temperatures. The stout plants are sturdy, resistant to pests and grow well in containers. Ping Tung is an early producer, ripe and ready in about 70 days. The bright purple fruits get to be 30 plus cm long and 5 cm in diameter. Firm, crisp flesh is mild and subtly sweet, the thin skin need not be peeled. Because of their size, the eggplants are easy to manage, prepare, portion and process.
Ping Tung Long is an international star because of its ease of growth and versatility in the kitchen. Grow your own eggplant and experience the joys of stir-frying, grilling, roasting and pickling with this Asian delight.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
Eggplant is a warm weather crop of the nightshade family. These plants will bear delicious and beautifully coloured fruits when given attention and an abundance of heat and sun.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Use flats and plant 4 seeds per 2 cm, 1 cm deep. Germination will not occur in cool soil. Keep temperatures from 27-32°C until seeds sprout and then maintain at least 21°C for optimal growth.
When true leaves appear, thin to 5-8 cm apart or transplant into pots. Harden off gently, cold weather may weaken the young plants. The ideal daytime temperature is 27-32 degrees. At night, the temperature shouldn’t drop below 10°C, or it may compromise production.
Grow your eggplant in the sunniest possible site. Soil should be well drained, an addition of compost in the spring will improve fertility. Transplant when the danger of frost has passed and temperature is consistently warm. In the garden, plant seedlings 45 cm apart, in rows 75-90 cm apart.
Water well and apply mulch after transplanting. Stake plants as they grow and develop heavy fruit. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruiting. Fertilizer should be applied a couple times throughout this phase.
Expect at least 100 days until maturity when starting from seed. It’s a long season, but eggplant should be abundant by this time. Using a pair of hand pruners, remove fruit by cutting the stem close to the main stalk. Be wary of the spines. Continually harvest small eggplants to promote production. Use care when harvesting, the skin and flesh bruise easily when ripe.
QUICK FACTS
- Eggplants have been cultivated in Asia since prehistory, where they continue to grow wild today. Eggplants were grown throughout the Mediterranean area since the middle ages.
- Good at absorbing cooking fats and sauces, eggplants are an excellent meat substitute in vegan and vegetarian cuisines.
- Eggplants can be pruned and staked like tomato plants.
- Eggplant seeds will remain viable for 3 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
Notre garantie sur les semences
Vous savez qu'un jardin luxuriant et fructueux a besoin d'un bon sol, d'arrosages fréquents et du soleil pour pousser, mais ce sont les semences qui font vraiment la différence. Cueillies et ensachées pour 2024, la grande majorité de nos semences ont des taux de germination de plus de 85 %. Toutes nos semences sont entièrement naturelles, sans OGM, non hybrides, non traitées et à pollinisation libre pour récolter les semences année après année. Nos semences sont soigneusement emballées dans des pochettes refermables, en papier kraft/aluminium de qualité alimentaire. Nos commandes sont ensuite expédiées dans des enveloppes rembourrées respectueuses de l'environnement. Nous utilisons un scellage thermique pour chaque sachet de graines afin de garantir une protection maximale contre l'humidité , les odeurs et la lumière, vous permettant de conserver vos semences jusqu'à 3 fois plus longtemps que dans du papier ou plastique. Plantez-les toutes, faites-en germer quelques-unes à l'intérieur, gardez-en pour la saison prochaine - à vous de décider !