Why summer residents like the "Black Beauty" eggplant variety and how to grow it

Many summer residents do not dare to grow eggplants in their beds, considering this vegetable crop too capricious. But thanks to the efforts of breeders, new varieties and hybrids are emerging that are resistant to changeable weather. One of these representatives of the nightshade family - grade Black handsome.

Description of the eggplant variety

The variety is mid-season: in the open field, the fruits ripen in 120-140 days after planting... Black Beauty feels comfortable in the beds in the southern regions of Russia. The variety is adapted to temperature extremes and resistant to many diseases. Nevertheless, in the Urals and in the middle lane, it is better to grow crops in greenhouses.

Distinctive features

The peculiarities of the variety include an excellent combination of yield indicators and resistance to adverse weather conditions. The black handsome man does not stop the formation of fruits even in bad weather, which differs from other representatives of the culture.

Specifications

The variety forms compact, spreading bushes that grow to a height of 70 cm. The stems are covered with fluff, the leaves are small with jagged edges, have an emerald hue... The culture is adorned with large, light purple flowers throughout the season.

The black handsome man forms large pear-shaped fruits weighing 110-200 g. At the stage of technical maturity, eggplants have a deep dark purple color, which is why the variety got its name.

Ripe fruits reach 20 cm in length, 3.5 cm in diameter, weight - about 900 g. Vegetables are consumed young - they have a delicate tasty pulp, thin skin and practically no seeds.

Under comfortable conditions, up to 12 kg of ripe fruits are harvested from 1 m2. Each bush ripens up to 4 kg of eggplants of the same shape and size.

How to grow a variety yourself

To get a bountiful harvest of fruits, it is important to plant the seeds in late February or early March and grow the seedlings correctly.

Growing seedlings

To wake seeds from hibernation, they are heated in a thermos or hot water. In a gauze knot, they are dipped in warm water for 3-5 minutes, after which they are disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

The rules for sowing the Black Handsome do not differ from the cultivation of other varieties of eggplant. The planting material is checked for germination, then soaked for 1-2 hours in a growth stimulator. Pretreated seeds are planted in prepared containers with nutrient soil. After that, the container is covered with foil and placed in a well-heated place.

Attention! The first shoots are expected 2 weeks after sowing.

To obtain high-quality seedlings, a suitable soil mixture is selected - neutral, airy and saturated with useful substances.

The soil is bought in a store or prepared independently from:

• 1 part of humus;
• 2 parts of sod land;
• 1 part peat.

A small amount of ash is added to the resulting mixture to increase fertility.

Transfer

When the seedlings reach a height of 20 cm, and 5-6 true leaves appear on the stems, the young plants are ready for transplanting into the ground.

Important! Do not delay the transplant, as the grown root system will no longer have enough space in a confined space.

For the Black Handsome, they choose an illuminated place on the site. Seedlings are planted on prepared soil, observing an interval of 40-50 cm between the bushes.

On the 10th day after transplantation, the first dressing is made from mineral and organic fertilizers. Like all members of the Solanaceae family, the Black Handsome does not tolerate drought, therefore, they moisten the soil as the top layer dries.

Further care

For a good development of culture, comfortable conditions are created. In addition to the temperature regime, they maintain optimal soil and air humidity (about 60%).

Form bushes as they grow. All leaves and side shoots below the first fork are removed in time. The top of the plants is gently pinched at a height of 30–35 cm to stimulate the development of lateral shoots.

Small buds and ovaries are removed so that they do not take away strength from the bushes. For abundant fruiting, no more than 10 ovaries are left.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

Eggplants need a full day of light - about 12 hours. Its decrease leads to the termination of the formation of ovaries and the formation of fruits.

After each watering with warm water, the soil is loosened, weeds are periodically removed. Do not forget about fertilizing the culture: during the formation of flowers (potash fertilizers), fruits (nitrogen-phosphorus), 2 weeks before harvesting (phosphate).

Diseases and pests

Eggplant Black handsome is resistant to most diseases, but for prevention, the plants are treated with disinfectants:

• wood ash solution - from late blight;
• soap solution or "Fitosporin" - against tobacco mosaic;
• fungicidal preparations ("Antracol" or "Horus") - from gray rot;
• "Trichoderminom" - against the black leg.

Harvesting and application of the crop

Fruit picking is started 30-40 days after flowering... Vegetables do not ripen all at once, so they are picked selectively, checking their technical ripeness. It is determined by its appearance: the skin acquires a dark color, the pulp becomes elastic.

Culture doesn't fit for long-term storage: the freshness and taste of the fruit lasts up to 2-4 weeks when the vegetables are in the refrigerator or basement.

Eggplant is widely used in cooking. Young fruits are suitable for second courses, larger ones for homemade preparations, sauté, caviar and other snacks... Overgrown eggplants can be frozen or dried.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The black handsome man has a number of positive qualities:

• high productivity;
• resistance to various diseases;
• unpretentiousness to fluctuations in weather conditions;
• good long-distance transportability;
• attractive appearance and excellent taste of the fruit;
• versatility in cooking.

The only drawback is that eggplant is afraid of cold weather and does not tolerate temperature drops to +15 ° C.

Reviews of gardeners

Those who have already tried to grow the Black Handsome on their plot recommend this variety for cultivation.

Olga, Ulyanovsk region: “I have never tried to grow eggplants - I always thought that this crop was meant for warm climates. Once a friend advised the Black handsome variety. Received a bountiful harvest of brilliant dark colored fruit, as stated, with excellent taste. "

Spouses Demidov, Syzran: “My husband and I love to grow new varieties of different crops. Last season, the garden store noticed a beautiful package of seeds with a photo of eggplants of an unusual shape. It was the Black Beauty, which we now constantly cultivate and advise others. "

Nina Vasilievna, Tambov: “The black handsome man grows in my greenhouse and gives its first fruits 2 weeks earlier than in the open field. Has an excellent taste, is indispensable for homemade preparations. I recommend this variety to everyone. "

Conclusion

Black handsome is a high-yielding mid-season eggplant variety, popular among many summer residents. On one bush, up to 4 kg of dark purple fruits ripen. Thanks to their size and pleasant taste without bitterness, vegetables are versatile in cooking. The variety is resistant to changing weather conditions, the main diseases of the crop and does not require complex care.