Eggplant "Ronde de Valence" (Solanum melongena)

Seeds: 25 pcs.

Interesting Facts: Many foreign and exotic vegetables found their way to Europe very late. They existed, at best, as ornamental plants or as oddities in botanical gardens. From the 17th century onward, the first vegetables from around the world, such as the tomato and the eggplant, arrived in Southern Europe. Even today, vegetable consumption in their countries of origin is twice as high as in Europe. In the 18th century, peppers from Hungary and chili peppers from India joined the ranks. Cultivation was made more difficult by the fact that many vegetables prefer warm climates. Today, almost every vegetable is praised by doctors and scientists for its nutritional value. Since travel has become quick and easy for everyone, enjoying foreign cuisines with unusual and exotic vegetables has become increasingly commonplace. The new and modern generation of cooks also loves to experiment, and fortunately, we are increasingly discovering delicious and vitamin-rich vegetables from around the world that we may not have even known existed a while ago.

Variety description: The Ronde de Valence variety is considered a specialty among eggplants in southern France. It develops into a very robust plant. The fruits are round and dark purple. They reach a size of about 15 to 20 cm and weigh approximately 200g. This eggplant is exceptionally flavorful.

Cultivation: The ideal sowing time is from January to mid-May. You should soak the seeds overnight in room-temperature water and then sow them evenly. Germination occurs at 20°C after 7-10 days. After 3 weeks, you can separate (prickle out) the seedlings. From mid-May (or possibly even the end of May), a sunny spot outdoors is also possible. Eggplants thrive in warm conditions. The ideal daytime temperature is between 18° and 30°C, and the nighttime temperature between 14° and 18°C. The plants thrive best in nutrient-rich soil with ample watering. Eggplants can also be grown in containers. The planting distance should be 50 cm. In warm outdoor conditions, the plants will only reach a height of 50-60 cm, while in a conservatory or greenhouse they can grow to about one meter. The fruit yield can be increased by pruning the fruiting side shoots. It's best to cut the shoot two leaves above the fruit. You should also shorten the main stem at the same time.