Name: Eggplant 'Udumalpet'
Brand: Le potager ornemental de Catherine
SKU: POC-SEMENCES
Price: 4.19 CAD
Availability: InStock

Sale Sold out

Open-pollinated seeds Solanaceae

eggplant

Le potager ornemental de Catherine

Solanum melongena

From seed to harvest

HeirloomOpen-pollinated

Common nameEggplant

FamilySolanaceae

GenusSolanum

Speciesmelongena

CultivarUdumalpet

TypeOpen-pollinated seeds

Botanical nameSolanum melongena

Reproducible seedsYes

Heirloom varietytrue

Quantity per packet±35 seeds

Eggplant 'Udumalpet' belongs to Solanum melongena. Oval eggplant striped purple and white, 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in.) in diameter. The supplier describes a pleasant flavour. Harvest young, before the white turns yellow. Early and productive. Plant height: 60 to 80 cm (23.6 to 31.5 in). Heirloom variety originating in the city of Udumalpet in India. These characteristics help you choose its position in the garden and compare this selection with other cultivars in the same group. Plan its location around its growth, leaving enough room to observe and care for the plant.

Start seeds indoors 10 to 14 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the temperature is above 10 °C (50 °F). Warmth is needed for germination, approximately 30 °C (86 °F). Sow the seeds at a depth of 6 mm (0.2 in). Leave 60 cm (23.6 in) between plants. In Quebec, wait for the soil and nights to warm before planting out; the last frost date varies by location. Gradually get the plants started indoors accustomed to outdoor wind and direct sunlight before you plant them out in the garden.

Harvest eggplant fruit while the skin still looks fresh and the fruit matches the variety's expected size. Waiting solely for very large fruit can allow the seeds to develop further. Cut the stem with a clean tool while supporting the fruit, as branches can break if you pull on them. Prepare eggplant fruit cooked, according to its texture and your intended use. Set the plants in a warm place where watering remains easy to monitor. At season's end, harvest before cold nights and temporarily protect the crop if local conditions require it. Keep these vegetable seeds dry until the next sowing.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Life cycle: Annual

Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

6 mm (0.2 in)

Spacing / density

60 cm (23.6 in)

Germination temperature

30°C (86°F)

Sowing period

Start seeds indoors 10 to 14 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when temperatures are above 10°C (50°F).

Propagation

Seed sowing

Growing method

These seed-starting tips for Eggplant 'Udumalpet' concern gardening in Quebec and can be adjusted to local frost risks. Start seeds indoors 10 to 14 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the temperature is above 10 °C (50 °F). Sow the seeds at a depth of 6 mm (0.2 in). Leave 60 cm (23.6 in) between plants. This crop is identified as Solanum melongena. Place eggplant plants in the warm part of the vegetable garden, clear of shade from a nearby trellis. Leave enough space to cut the fruit and observe its colour changes. Cold spring nights should not be confused with the warmth needed for their growth. Prepare the final growing site and seed-starting supplies first. For seed starting in pots, moisten the growing mix before filling the cells, then sow without compressing it into a hard mass. For direct sowing, remove large soil clods and mark a row that you can locate again after watering. Distribute seeds according to the intended spacing rather than pouring several into one spot. Water the growing medium gently so that the flow of water does not displace the seeds you have sown. Once the seedlings have emerged, keep the healthy young plants and allow enough space for them to continue developing. If seedlings are started indoors, gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions before planting them out. Handle the root ball carefully without pulling on the stem. Transplant into prepared soil, then water to help the soil settle into contact with the root ball. Udumalpet produces oval eggplant fruit striped with purple and white.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Moisture

Even moisture without saturation

Care level

Moderate

Watering

For Eggplant 'Udumalpet', adjust watering to the stage of growth. Monitor the root ball as fruit develops, without waiting for the potting mix to dry out completely before acting. Water the seedbed gently so that the seeds remain in place. After establishment, check moisture near the roots rather than judging only by the appearance of the leaves. Direct water to the base and adjust the amount according to rainfall. Check a wind-exposed container more often; excess water must be able to drain freely.

Soil type

To prepare the site for Eggplant 'Udumalpet', loosen the sowing area. Prepare soil that the roots can explore, without large clods around the seeds. Assess drainage after rain as well: water should not remain around the crown for long. In containers, use a growing mix rather than heavy, compacted garden soil. The fertility requirements described for this plant should guide additions, without automatically adding large amounts of compost.

Fertilization

When feeding Eggplant 'Udumalpet', begin with the fertility of the growing medium. Do not try to produce a large mass of leaves by applying heavy amounts of nitrogen; respect the actual needs of this crop. Before applying fertilizer, examine the soil or growing mix already in use. Measure each application according to the label and the crop's needs, without combining several products at once. In containers, account for nutrients already present in the growing mix. A plant that is suffering from a lack of water cannot be helped simply by applying additional fertilizer.

Seasonal care

When caring for Eggplant 'Udumalpet', keep the following defining characteristic of the plant in mind: Udumalpet produces oval eggplants striped purple and white. Pick them young, before the white colour turns yellow. The fruit measures 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in) in diameter; plants reach 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in). During establishment, watch for resumed growth before adding more fertilizer. As soon as fruit appears, compare its colour with the variety's picking stage. Before the cold nights of autumn arrive, pick fruit that can be used in cooking; do not rely on every small fruit reaching full ripeness. Start the season with a prepared site and labelled seedlings. During emergence, check that moisture reaches the seed zone without creating a persistent puddle. After planting, observe establishment before adding more fertilizer or pruning. Remove small weeds and check damaged leaves so that isolated damage is not mistaken for a need for fertilizer. Throughout summer, adjust watering to the condition of the soil and the rain received. Check support ties after windy weather, and do not let a tie constrict a thickening stem. Make cuts with a clean tool; do not remove a healthy stem simply to improve the view. In fall, separate what should be harvested, left in place or removed according to the plant's life cycle. After detaching the stems, put the supports away and clean your tools; take care not to move diseased plant debris into other growing areas. Whether the plant returns in spring depends on its stated life cycle, not simply on the word garden in its description. Harvest at the young stage described for the variety, checking colour and size.

Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in)

Edible parts

Fruit at the recommended culinary stage

Fruiting

For harvesting Eggplant 'Udumalpet', follow the stage specific to this crop. Harvest at the young stage described for the variety, checking colour and size. Cut the fruit stem with a clean tool without pulling on the plant. A eggplant fruit changing colour as it reaches botanical maturity is not necessarily at its best stage for cooking. Monitor the parts to be harvested as they develop. The stated timing does not replace this crop's specific signs of maturity or tenderness. Cut or harvest without injuring neighbouring stems.

Harvest

Udumalpet produces oval eggplant fruit striped with purple and white. Pick them young, before the white colour turns yellow. The fruit measures 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in) in diameter; plants reach 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in). Harvest at the young stage described for the variety, checking colour and size. Cut the fruit stem with a clean tool without pulling on the plant. A eggplant fruit changing colour as it reaches botanical maturity is not necessarily at its best stage for cooking.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

When choosing companions for Eggplant 'Udumalpet', consider light, access and space. Place this plant alongside crops with compatible light and moisture needs, preserving the space required for its foliage. Plan companion planting around the available space and growing requirements. Leave enough light and air around the plant, and keep taller neighbours from covering its foliage. A practical arrangement of plants makes watering and harvesting easier to manage; it does not, by itself, guarantee protection against insect pests or an increase in yield. Keep every crop accessible and maintain its individual spacing.

Garden use

Reserve a place in the vegetable garden for Eggplant 'Udumalpet' to harvest eggplant fruits before the seeds harden. Udumalpet produces oval eggplant fruit striped with purple and white. Pick them young, before the white colour turns yellow. The fruit measures 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in) in diameter; plants reach 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in). Place eggplant plants in the warm part of the vegetable garden, clear of shade from a nearby trellis. Leave enough space to cut the fruit and observe its colour changes. Cold spring nights should not be confused with the warmth needed for their growth. Draw out where this crop will be positioned in the garden before you begin sowing the seeds. Distinguish the area occupied by the roots from the space where stems and leaves will spread. An aisle lets you reach the plant with a watering can and harvesting tool without stepping on the soil around its roots. Check the shade cast by buildings and supports during the growing season. The spacing between two plants does not replace the width of a working aisle. Remove weeds while they are small so that large roots will not need to be pulled beside an established plant. Position the hose or watering can so that you can reach the base without tugging on the stems. When adding mulch after establishment, keep the crown clear and maintain access to the parts you need to observe. A clearly organized flower bed simplifies care once foliage becomes dense. Cut the fruit stem with a clean tool without pulling on the plant.

Recipe and storage

Recipe idea

From garden to table

Here is a preparation suited to cooking the harvest from Eggplant 'Udumalpet'. Prepare herb-roasted eggplant. Rinse the young fruits, remove the stems and cut the flesh into evenly sized slices or cubes. Toss with a little oil, garlic and thyme, then spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Cook until the flesh has become tender, turning the pieces over if this is necessary. Serve alongside rice, cooked tomatoes or a sauce made with yogurt. Small fruits can also be cooked whole once their stems have been removed, provided their size allows them to cook evenly. The colour at maturity depends on the variety: follow its proper harvest stage rather than systematically waiting for the fruit to become larger. Neither the leaves nor the stems are included as part of this recipe. Taste the prepared dish before adding any more salt, and keep the leftovers refrigerated. This cooked dish idea is not a recipe for storage at room temperature. Udumalpet produces oval eggplant fruit striped with purple and white. Pick them young, before the white colour turns yellow. The fruit measures 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in) in diameter; plants reach 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in).

Frequently asked questions

How do you start Eggplant 'Udumalpet' seeds in Quebec?

For Eggplant 'Udumalpet', start seeds indoors 10 to 14 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the temperature is above 10 °C (50 °F). Sow the seeds at a depth of 6 mm (0.2 in). Leave 60 cm (23.6 in) between plants. To choose a sowing date in Quebec, begin with your local frost risk, then apply the timing recommended for this crop. Always plan indoor seed starting by counting backwards from the expected planting date; do not start the seeds too early simply on principle. Prepare containers before sowing and label the variety. Maintain moisture suited to the seeds without leaving standing water. When sowing directly in the garden, prepare the row before distributing the seeds and water gently.

How much space should you allow for Eggplant 'Udumalpet'?

For Eggplant 'Udumalpet', udumalpet produces oval eggplants striped purple and white. Pick them young, before the white colour turns yellow. The fruit measures 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in) in diameter; plants reach 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in). Place eggplant plants in the warm part of the vegetable garden, clear of shade from a nearby trellis. Leave enough space to cut the fruit and observe its colour changes. Cold spring nights should not be confused with the warmth needed for their growth. Choose the position according to this plant's habit and growth, then leave access for watering and cutting. If the plants require a support, put it in place before their stems begin to grow longer. The distance between plants does not replace a working aisle.

How should you manage watering for Eggplant 'Udumalpet'?

For Eggplant 'Udumalpet', monitor the root ball as fruit develops, without waiting for the potting mix to dry out completely before acting. Check the growing mix or soil near the roots before watering. Water must reach the root ball, and excess water must then be able to drain from the container or soil. Recent rain, wind and heat affect how often watering is needed. Water at the base rather than routinely wetting the flowers and foliage. When a plant wilts, check its root ball as well: adding water to an already saturated root ball will not solve every problem. Use a gentle stream when watering newly sown seeds. During establishment, watch for resumed growth before adding more fertilizer. As soon as fruit appears, compare its colour with the variety's picking stage. Before the cold nights of autumn arrive, pick fruit that can be used in cooking; do not rely on every small fruit reaching full ripeness.

How should you monitor the development of Eggplant 'Udumalpet'?

The growth of Eggplant 'Udumalpet' follows this profile. Udumalpet produces oval eggplant fruit striped with purple and white. Pick them young, before the white colour turns yellow. The fruit measures 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in) in diameter; plants reach 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in). During establishment, watch for resumed growth before adding more fertilizer. As soon as fruit appears, compare its colour with the variety's picking stage. Before the cold nights of autumn arrive, pick fruit that can be used in cooking; do not rely on every small fruit reaching full ripeness. Harvest at the young stage described for the variety, checking colour and size. Cut the fruit stem with a clean tool without pulling on the plant. A eggplant fruit changing colour as it reaches botanical maturity is not necessarily at its best stage for cooking.

What growth stage should you look for in Eggplant 'Udumalpet'?

For Eggplant 'Udumalpet', harvest at the young stage described for the variety, checking colour and size. Cut the fruit stem with a clean tool without pulling on the plant. A eggplant fruit changing colour as it reaches botanical maturity is not necessarily at its best stage for cooking. Udumalpet produces oval eggplant fruit striped with purple and white. Pick them young, before the white colour turns yellow. The fruit measures 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in) in diameter; plants reach 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in). The schedule is a guide, but observing the plant determines the right moment. Follow the recommended stage for the part harvested, and distinguish botanical maturity from culinary quality. Harvest with a clean tool when the stem resists, and immediately sort out damaged parts.