Aubergine Morden Midget is a early, cold resistant eggplant variety which makes it very suitable for colder climats like in most European countries. Very suitable for outdoor growing in containers. The circa 50-60 cm tall, very productive plants produce purple, elongated approx. 12 cm fruits. Because of its small size and cold resitance particulairy suited for containers, best put in a sunny spot in the garden, terrace or patio. Harvest in 60 - 70 days after transplant.
Aubergine is a very healthy and versatile vegetable. Aubergine contains a.o.: vitamin B1, B2, B6, B11 and C. And the minerals: sodium, potassium, selenium, calcium, phosphor, iron, magnesium and zinc. And a lot of fibres, a tiny amount of fat and carbohydrates and gluten. You can cook, bake, stew, steam, cook in the oven, grill, deep-fry, stir-fry, roast, barbecue and fill them with minced meat or rice. Make a delicious ratatouille, soup or mixed vegetable dish with aubergine. Aubergine is very delicious in combination with: Olive oil, cheese, onions, parsley, basil, potatoes, oregano, beef, lamb, chicken, minced beef, eggs, goat chees, red pepper, pork, coconut, Cayenne pepper, pasta and vegetables like: paprika, lettuce, courgette, tomatoes, peas and leek. Non hardy annual.
Indoor sowing: end of February - beginning of April
Germination: 10 - 20 days
Germination temp: 21 - 25°C
Sowing depth: ½ cm
Transplanting when the seedlings are approx. 7½ - 10 cm
Transplanting outdoors: middle of May - beginning of June
Plant spacing: 50 - 75 cm
Planting position: sunny - (heated) Greenhouse
Harvestperiod: May - September
Sow indoors from the end of February in seperate pots filled with moist moist potting soil. Sow per pot 2 seeds about ½ cm deep and cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Put the pots away at 21 - 25 °C. Keep the seeds moist, warm and light. Keep the temperature as even as possible and don't let the temperature drop during the night. Put the seedlings, when they're approx. 7½ - 10 cm in size in larger separate pots. Harden the seedlings of by putting them for about 10 - 14 days outside during the day and putting them back indoors during the night, from the beginning of May. Aubergine heats cold, so put the pots outdoors in a (not) heated greenhouse or glasshouse. You can also grow them on a very sunny, warm, sheltered spot on the southside. Mostly you get lesser fruits on your plants. Keep moist, pest free and give the plants a good support.
To aid the developement of fruits, you should water them regurlarly and add some liquid tomato fertilizer togehter with the water. You can impregnate your aubergines by using an old electric toothbrush. Pick the fruits regurlarly to enhance the growing of new fruits. Harvest the fruits by cutting them with sciccors. You should harvest before the shine disappears on the skin. Keep aubergine outside the fridge on a cool, dark and dry spot. You can keep them fresh for a week this way. You shouldn't keep aubergines in a fridge because they rot from low temperatures. Don't let the temperature drop under 16 °C. You can freeze aubergines.
