Why is the Epic eggplant variety good and why it is worth growing

"Blue", as many call eggplants - welcome guests on our table. Besides the fact that they have a pungent taste, eggplants have many useful properties. They contain vitamins group B, vitamin A, many minerals - potassium, phosphorus, calcium and others. In addition, it is useful for people with cardiovascular diseases, increases the contractility of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), has an anti-atherosclerotic effect.

Among the many different varieties, Epic is distinguished. Read about its features and growing rules in the article.

Description of the eggplant variety

The Epik eggplant variety was bred by Dutch agronomists in 2005. It adapts well to various "living" conditions, therefore it is suitable for cultivation in regions with different climatic conditions.

Epic f1 hybrid

An early ripe hybrid. Suitable for cultivation in greenhouses and open beds. The first fruits begin to taste about 60-65 days after planting the seedlings.

Distinctive features (+ photo of the variety)

Epic F1 fruits are notable for their lack of bitter taste when fresh and cooked. Also, Epic eggplant has an attractive appearance: this is a big plus for those who grow crops for sale.

Photo of eggplant Epic f1:

Characteristics of bushes and fruits, taste, yield

This variety is characterized by the following parameters:

• the height of the bushes reaches 1 m;
• spreading bushes;
• the bushes must be tied up, otherwise they will break off under the weight of the fruit;
• there are thorns on the eggplant cup;
• fruits have a standard appearance, somewhat thickened;
• rich taste without bitterness;
• inside the fruit is white with a yellow tint and with a small number of seeds;
• eggplant length up to 22 cm, up to 10 cm in diameter;
• the yield is high, from 1 m² you can harvest up to 6 kg of eggplants.

How to grow this variety yourself

Both experienced gardeners and beginners will be able to grow this variety on their own. To grow the Epic f1 eggplant variety, you will need to purchase seeds and fertilizers, grow seedlings, transplant them to the site, harvest and enjoy your work in various dishes. Learn more about each step.

Growing seedlings (preparation of seeds, soil, planting, care, etc.)

Since this is a hybrid, only purchased seeds are used; it will not work to prepare it yourself from your harvest. Seeds are sown in the first and second decade of February.

Stage 1. Purchased seeds require preparation before planting: treat with a 2% solution of potassium permanganate and water in a ratio of 2 g per 100 ml. The seeds are dipped in a potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes. After the procedure, it is necessary to rinse the seeds in running water and dry them. It is better to dry on cotton material, the seeds will stick on paper and if you try to remove them, you can destroy their structure.

Stage 2. Preparation of containers and soil for seedlings. Prepare individual cups, plastic containers with a lid or boxes. Fill up the soil. You can mix part of the soil where the seedlings will move with sand and fertilize with special seedlings. Or use store-bought seedling soil.

On how to choose seeds for planting tomatoes, you can find out here.

Stage 3. Planting seeds. It is necessary to moisten the soil with warm water, immerse the seeds to a depth of 1.5 cm at a distance of 2 cm from each other. No more than two seeds are planted in individual cups. After planting, cover with cellophane and place in a warm place (about 25 ° C), well-lit place. When sprouts appear, after 7-10 days, remove the film and place the seedlings in a cooler place (up to 16-18 C °), also with good lighting. Seedlings need to be hardened: move for some time from a place with a temperature of about 25 ° C to a cooler one with a temperature of 13-15 ° C, so the plant will get used to the temperature regime in the garden.

Stage 4. Fertilize the land where the seedlings grow. Apply phosphorus fertilizer 10-15 days after germination. Then feed every 2 weeks before planting in the beds. This will speed up the growing season, and the seedlings will grow strong and strong.

Stage 5. Preparing for a transplant.When the seedlings reach a length of about 20 cm, about five leaves are formed on the trunk and the time of frost passes, the seedlings are transplanted into the beds or into the greenhouse.

Transfer

Divide your garden beds or greenhouse areas where you plan to transplant eggplant seedlings into 1 m² plots. Imagine that the presented field looks like a chessboard. It is necessary to plant 4-5 bushes on the "white" areas of the visual chessboard at a distance of 60-70 cm from each other.

Further care

Epic does not require special care. Like other plants in your garden, eggplants need to be watered regularly, inspected for pests, and fertilized on time.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

By observing the simple rules presented below, you will reap a decent harvest:

1. Water in moderation and on time.
2. Loosen the soil, avoid crusting after watering.
3. Weed, remove weeds.
4. Fertilize regularly. Make the first soil feeding after the seedlings have firmly established themselves in the new territory. Fertilize with manure, compost, ash and mineral additives. Fertilize the second time after the flowers appear - this time mainly with minerals. The third time - after the formation of the ovaries, fertilize with superphosphate or use the complex of fertilizers "Nitrofoska" and "Ammofoska".
5. Be sure to tie up the bushes. If you don't, the stems may break and your crop yield expectations will not be met.
6. Remove too many stems, leaving no more than eight.

Diseases and pests characteristic of the variety

Epic eggplants suffer from the same diseases as other eggplants. The variety is susceptible to late blight, gray rot and black leg infection. Compliance with the principles of agricultural technology, as well as the annual change of the place of cultivation of crops, will help to avoid infection with these diseases. Also, treatment with copper preparations will be useful, and for the prevention and treatment of late blight, it is worth treating with "Zircon".

To get acquainted with the diseases of tomatoes and find out how to deal with them, you should go through link.

Among the common pests of this plant:

• Colorado beetles - they get rid of them by hand collecting insects; plant basil to scare them away;
• slugs - they are also collected by hand, in the case of a huge amount, sprinkle the ground with a composition of lime, ash and tobacco dust;
• spider mite - get rid of it with the help of Arrow or Keltan preparations, safe for humans.

Harvesting and application of crops - storage, use in cooking, harvesting

Seedlings planted in late May will bear their first fruits in late July - early August. You will harvest in batches, the eggplants will ripen gradually. Keeping fresh is problematic, the fruits will quickly deteriorate. Better to cook fresh, or chop and freeze or dry.

Winter preparations are made from Epic eggplants - caviar, Peking eggplants, salted eggplants, spicy, Korean style, light.There are hundreds of recipes for preservation and freezing.

The easiest way:

1. Cut the eggplants and bake in the oven at 200 degrees.
2. Remove the skin when done, place the vegetables under a press to remove excess liquid.
3. Place in bags and send to the freezer.

In cooking, Epic f1 cooks pickled, baked, stewed eggplants stuffed with garlic and herbs, rolls with curd cheese and dill, and a lot of other dishes.

Also, a lot of delicious dishes can be prepared from pumpkin, recipes here.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The indisputable advantages of the variety include:

• resistance to tobacco mosaic disease;
• resistance to sudden temperature changes;
• pronounced taste;
• high productivity;
• unpretentious in care;
• versatile in use.

There are also disadvantages:

• growing only by seedling is a relative disadvantage, since in our climate all varieties of eggplants have to be planted with seedlings;
• does not tolerate low temperatures well - in a cold summer you cannot count on a bountiful harvest;
• not stored long after picking from the bush.

Reviews of those who grew

Here are a few reviews of gardeners who grew the variety on their own plots.

Dmitry, Saratov: “Among the eggplants that I have grown, the most delicious and unpretentious variety is Epic F1. Planted in a greenhouse and in a vegetable garden, the yield is excellent under any conditions. Fresh and young eggplants are good for oil-frying and grilling. Each bush gave 6-7 fruits. I always choose hybrids, they grow better and the yield is high. "

Anatoly, Novosibirsk: “Great hybrid. The main thing is not to plant in the same place. I have been growing for the third year already. I sprinkle onion or garlic husks with straw on the eggplant bed. The husk repels pests, and the straw maintains the required moisture. "

To learn how best to protect your garlic crop from pests, read this article.

Conclusion

Eggplant Epic F1 is a hybrid that is ideal for growing in your own garden. The described variety is unpretentious, quite stable and fruitful. It is chosen by gardeners who love eggplant without bitterness and with few seeds. If you have never grown eggplants on your site, opt for Epic F1. As testimonials from gardeners testify, labor is not required to obtain a harvest more than usual, and the result is excellent.