Solanum melongena 'Pingtung Long'

RHS Plant Profile
aubergine 'Pingtung Long'
aubergine 'Pingtung Long' visionspictures.com
Annual Biennial Fruit Edible

A cultivar of aubergine, a tropical perennial grown as an annual, with grey-green, downy foliage. Pale purple flowers are followed by long, slender purple fruit from late summer into autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Can be grown outdoors in a sunny, sheltered position in mild areas, or in a in a greenhouse or tall growing-frame in colder areas. Start from seed or buy as small plants and grow on in a heated greenhouse or on a warm windowsill. Move to an unheated greenhouse or outside once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly and feed every 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser, switching to a high potassium liquid feed once the first fruits have set. See aubergine cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Edible fruit

Pruning

Pinch out the growing tip when the plant has reached about 30cm high to encourage branching

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)