Aubergines

[meestasmeeth]

Hi there, this year I thought I'd try and grow some aubergines but they haven't came to anything.
They were planted in a greenhouse and watered and fed reguraly. However, the flowers became dusty/mouldy and the leaf edges became dry and discoloured.
Anyone any ideas about what went wrong?

[fran]

Can't help you with what went wrong as my aubergines did exactly the same. So will look at the replies to this post with interest.

[meestasmeeth]

Thanks Fran, I wondered if it was a lack of sun but I see you're in Essex and you had a decent spell this summer, didn't you?

[grahamhobbs]

Aubergines are very prone to red spider mite - perhaps that was the problem. I find it best not to grow them in an enclosed greenhouse, better in an open but sheltered spot.

[oldjerry]

Me too,they don't seem to do well in small greenhouses\tunnels,I'd always put this down to ventilation difficulties,as when the summer was good they were ok outside.When I was younger there wasn't the variety and quality of outdoor tomatoes,so we'd knock up some temporary protection with plastic and canes,maybe this would work with aubergines.

[Thomzo]

I've had limited success indoors but they are very prone to whitefly, spider mite, caterpillars and anything else that's flying by. They do need an amazing amount of water though, probably more than tomatoes so you may not be giving them enough. Also, they do seem to be prone to some sort of blight.

Zoe

[Millymollymandy]

I tried to grow some last year outside but only got one solitary fruit from 6 plants and that was rotten inside.... as Thomzo said they did seem to be affected by a kind of blight and as they are related to toms and spuds I guess it was the same blight. So I won't try them again here.

[oldjerry]

That'll be why I cant grow cauli then !

[meestasmeeth]

There didn't appear to be any pests on them so it looks like blight may have been the reason, that and being enclosed. I've since spoken to others who have had the same problem, so I may give them a miss next year - we'll see.
Thanks to all for the advice, every little helps.

[sleepyowl]

mine have only just flowered

[ellie-in-wellies]

Please don't give up-They're what makes a mousaka so wonderful!
Aubergine are susceptible to so many P&Ds, a variety of blights too- not to put you off-eeek?
The first thing to do is to look at which parts of the plant are most affected, and how? Stems? leaves? or just the fruit. Could you upload a picture?
This may give you an idea of where things went kaput, more often than not its easily explained and overcome. It's usually about identifying the stage of the disease or development of the Pest which if spotted early enough can be nipped in the bud- pardon the pun!
Still, I feel I should say that obviously if the plant is particularly badly affected starting again is the best plan.

If you upload some piccies I'd be happy to help where I can
xxSun&Rainxx