Striped Toga

Cultivation Break

Season Overview

Description

Widely used in African cuisine, this eggplant surprises with its small two-colored fruits, green and orange, which are very decorative. This unusually colored eggplant variety is a real crowd-pleaser. The elongated fruits are approx. 5 - 8 cm long. They are harvested from the end of July to October and can be eaten raw or cooked. They taste more intense than "normal" eggplants. The young leaves can be prepared like spinach. Originally from Africa, this variety is suitable for greenhouse cultivation as well as for outdoor cultivation and is particularly suitable for cultivation in pots. Cultivation under a tunnel or in a greenhouse is recommended. These climbing, upright-growing vegetable plants usually grow 1.4 to 1.8 m tall and 40 to 60 cm wide.

Growing tips

Sowing time - Optimal: February to early April - The earlier, the better - eggplants need a lot of warmth and a long development period 🌡️ Germination conditions - Temperature: constant 24-28 °C - Light: bright, but not directly on the seedlings - Germination time: 7-21 days - Tip: Heating mat or warm window sill above the heater 🌱 Substrate - Fine, loose sowing soil - Optional: 10-20 % perlite for better aeration - Moisten the soil slightly, not wet 🌾 Sowing technique - Plant seeds 0.5-1 cm deep - Press down lightly - Use a mini-greenhouse or transparent cover - Ventilate daily to avoid mold 💧 Watering - Evenly moist, but no waterlogging - It is best to water from below (saucer) - After germination: remove the cap, keep slightly drier ☀️ Light after germination - Very bright, ideal: south-facing or plant lamp - Without additional light, eggplants will quickly become long and thin (become wilted) 🔄 Pricking out - When the seedlings have 2 true leaves - Transplant into nutrient-rich soil - Plant deeper than before, but not as deep as tomatoes 🪴 Further cultivation - Keep warm: at least 18-20 °C - From a height of 20-25 cm: tie up with a stick - From mid-May (frost-free): Harden off and place outdoors or in a tub ☀️ Location - Very sunny, warm and sheltered from the wind - Ideal: south-facing wall, greenhouse, foil tunnel or balcony in full sun - The more warmth, the faster and more abundant the fruiting 🪴 Cultivation in a pot or bed - Works very well in pots - Minimum pot size: 15-20 liters - Climbing/upright growing: 1.4-1.8 m high, 40-60 cm wide 🌱 Soil / substrate - Well-drained, humusy, nutrient-rich - No waterlogging - make sure there is good drainage - Ideal: Tomato/vegetable soil + 20 % perlite or sand 💧 Watering - Low water requirement - Practice: Keep evenly moist, but never wet - Pot: Avoid saucers, water must drain away 🍽️ Fertilization - Heavy feeder → weekly liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer - Particularly important from the start of flowering ❄️ Frost - Not frost-hardy - Only put outside when stable above 10 °C at night - Overwintering possible: bright, 10-15 °C, little watering ✂️ Care - Tie up the main shoot (climbing/upright) - Thin out side shoots only slightly, not as strict as for tomatoes - Mulching keeps moisture stable 🍆 Fruits & harvest - Shiny, striped fruits - Harvest time: August to October - Ripe when the skin is shiny and gives way easily - Young fruits taste milder 🦠 Robustness - Striped Toga is generally easy to care for, but: ◦ Loves warmth ◦ Reacts sensitively to waterlogging ◦ only reliable outdoors in very warm locations

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Light germinator

Germination temperature

24 - 28 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

40 cm

Row spacing

60 cm

Seeding depth

0.5 cm