Description of the variety of eggplant Black handsome, features of cultivation and care
Eggplant is one of the crops that novice gardeners grow with caution, believing that this capricious vegetable will require special care. One should not be afraid of difficulties - every year breeders offer new varieties that are distinguished by their endurance, undemandingness, and taste. The main thing is to understand the peculiarities of agricultural technology and strictly follow the rules of care.
Growing eggplant Black handsome is a simple and pleasant process, because this is one of the varieties that will thank you with a generous harvest for minimal attention.
Description of the variety Black handsome
Black handsome - a variety recommended for planting in beds (for residents of the southern regions) and in greenhouses (in harsh climatic conditions). If you do not be late with the planting dates, the plants will please with the average ripening period - in 115-120 days it will be possible to harvest.
For commercial purposes, the Black Handsome is rarely grown. Eggplant is often found in private small farms. Undemandingness and productivity are considered the best characteristics of the variety.
Bushes
Eggplant bushes Black handsome are short and compact, reach 80 centimeters, and require pinching. The internodes are short, the stems are powerful, they can bear a considerable weight of the fruit. The plant has a dense fluff along the entire length of the lashes.
The leaves of the plant are dark green. With a lack of nutrients, they brighten. The leaves have hard, dense thorns underneath.
Fruit
The fruits of the Black Handsome resemble a regular pear. Eggplant characteristics:
- length - up to 20 centimeters;
- weight - from 120 grams;
- the color is dark purple, at harvest it is almost black.
The pulp has no bitterness, few seeds. The rind is dense, thin. There are thorns in the calyx, but there are few of them.
Variety characteristics
The peculiarity of the variety is its yield. Proper care, the use of recommended agricultural techniques will allow you to harvest a good harvest. Everything depends on the growing conditions - in the open field the fruits are larger, but there are fewer of them, in greenhouses, on the contrary - there are many times more eggplants.
Productivity - one bush accounts for up to 2.5 kilograms of fruit. In favorable conditions, up to 3 kilograms are harvested from the plant. The seeds are distinguished by excellent germination - at least 98%.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the plant, as experienced gardeners note, are much more than disadvantages. The advantages include:
- unpretentiousness;
- good taste without bitterness;
- yield;
- the ability to grow in beds or in a greenhouse;
- disease resistance;
- friendly fruiting.
Of the shortcomings, only one is usually noted - the fruits do not always have a presentation, therefore, the variety is practically not grown for commercial purposes.
Growing rules
There will be no particular difficulties in growing the Black Handsome - care is no different from the agricultural technology of other vegetable crops. Main requirements:
- regular watering;
- introduction of nutrients;
- weeding, loosening the soil;
- treatment against pests, diseases.
The features of care in the beds and in greenhouse conditions are the same and do not require special knowledge and experience.
Landing dates
The cultivation of eggplant Black handsome occurs only through seedlings - planting seeds in open ground will not allow harvesting, although the bushes will grow powerful and tall. In warm regions, it is recommended to send planting material to containers with a substrate at the end of February, in cool areas - at the beginning of March. In Siberia, it is better to start growing seedlings between the 20th and 25th of the first spring month.
Seed preparation
Before sending the planting material to the substrate (it is recommended to purchase a ready-made mixture for seedlings), the seeds must be disinfected. To do this, prepare a solution of potassium permanganate, lower the planting material for half an hour, dry it on paper.
Choosing a landing site
Experienced gardeners recommend growing seedlings on sunny windowsills. It is imperative to ensure that direct sunlight does not harm the delicate leaves - on too hot days, create an artificial shade or remove containers deep into the room.
Seedling care
Young eggplant plants do not need to be fed. Caring for the seedlings of the Black Handsome consists of regular watering (it is recommended to do this along the edge of the containers) and loosening the soil surface with a thin stick. The pick should be carried out 5 weeks after the appearance of the first leaves.
Landing scheme
Plant young eggplant bushes at a distance of at least half a meter from each other. Leave 55-70 centimeters between rows, this is enough for the development of plants and easy movement between them when watering or loosening.
Plant care rules
There will be no particular difficulties in caring for the Black Handsome, especially if you already have experience in growing eggplants. The main thing is to observe the regularity of watering, the introduction of nutrients, and monitor development. The plant is resistant to diseases and pests, therefore, it is often enough to observe preventive measures in order to prevent insects or fungal diseases from affecting the bushes.
Watering
Overdried soil or excess moisture are detrimental to eggplants. Frequent watering is recommended, but with a small amount of liquid. Be sure to monitor the water temperature - it should not be lower than 23 degrees.
Watering has several important requirements:
- irrigate the soil before fruiting at a distance from the bushes - water can damage or knock the ovaries;
- loosening the soil before irrigation;
- after the formation of the fruits, watering is carried out from above, above the bushes.
It is recommended to pour water into containers in advance and place it near the garden bed or in the greenhouse for warming up.
Loosening
The root system of plants is located close to the soil surface. It is recommended to take this into account when loosening the soil - do not penetrate deep into the ground so as not to damage the delicate roots of the plant. An improperly carried out process can destroy the bushes.
Fertilizer
The introduction of nutrients is recommended when planting seedlings. 25 grams of ash are sent to each well so as not to burn the roots, mix the substance with the soil.
During flowering, the following dressings are recommended:
- Mullein (1 liter), 200 grams of ash per bucket of water.
- 20 grams of urea, superphosphate, potassium chloride per 10 liters of water.
- 35 grams of ammophoska per bucket of liquid.
During the fruiting period, preference should be given to potassium and phosphate dressings - they promote fruit growth, prevent the ovary from falling off. It is recommended to use the following formulations:
- 40 grams of potassium salt and superphosphate per bucket of water.
- Dissolve 20 grams of potassium sulfate in a bucket of water.
- For a bucket of water 45 grams of superphosphate and 20 grams of urea.
A prerequisite is to irrigate the soil well before adding nutrients. This will prevent scalding of the root system.
When the temperature drops, it is recommended to add 100 grams of wood ash under each bush. This promotes fruit set and prevents them from falling off.
Bush formation
The black handsome man, in the absence of formation, is able to grow up to a meter in height, which will affect the yield. Timely pinching of the shoots will help to get a compact bush. When the plant reaches 25 centimeters in height, pinch the main stem - this stimulates the growth of lateral lashes. Remove all shoots and leaves until the first internode.
Diseases and pests
Among all existing diseases, the Black Handsome is most often affected by the black leg and late blight. The main reasons for the development of diseases are excessive moisture. Careful observance of the rules of agricultural technology will allow to prevent danger to plants - watering should be carried out only as needed.
Pests are treated with insecticides or home remedies. It is better to collect slugs by hand - if you start pest control in a timely manner, there will be no particular difficulties. An important rule of thumb is to apply chemicals no later than 3 weeks before harvest.
Harvesting and storage
It is not worth delaying the collection of fruits - this will affect the shelf life and taste. Remove the eggplants with the cup, leave part of the stalk - this will extend the shelf life.
It is recommended to start harvesting fruits in the phase of technical ripeness, after the eggplants acquire an almost black hue. Send immediately to a dark, cool room - the shelf life in this case will last up to 25 days. If the eggplants were collected unripe, use a refrigerator for this purpose.
Black handsome - one of the blue varieties, which has many positive qualities. Growing will certainly bring pleasure even to an inexperienced gardener, and an excellent harvest of tasty and healthy fruits will serve as a reward for your efforts.
