I'm growing one for the first time. I'm expecting two or three feet, but I'm not sure why! Here it is to the rear today, with a dwarf tomato. I planted it out about 5 weeks ago.

I planted it because it was orange, and "Turkish", but have been a little disappointed to read it is bitter when ripe. Some like the bitterness, and some pick before ripe. . I've also learned it has several other names, including "Ethiopian".

https://youtu.be/QiOmYMyGIeY

https://youtu.be/OHtKm66pY1w

https://youtu.be/uEEgyVMrMOY

Hi! Thank you so much.

@nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14) mine is a little smaller than yours maybe because I planted a little over 3 weeks ago. The plant looks very healthy though! (Yes, its a shame that its not the at orange stage when I will be picking this eggplant. But I am looking forward to tasting this eggplant when pale green.) I bought these seeds from Pinetree. Where did you get yours? Mine are setting buds like its nuts and I am removing them because the plant is still so small. Do you think thats the right thing to do? Maybe from next week I will let the buds be.

@robert567 Thank you!

Lets see what happens.

@katyajini, I got my seeds from Trade Winds Fruit .

I was looking for a certain Scotch Bonnet pepper and ended up with

• 1 x Purplette Onion
• 1 x Hot Portugal Pepper
  (Quantity Options: Single Seed Pack ($2.50))
• 1 x Little Gem Lettuce
• 1 x Ancho San Luis Pepper
• 1 x Serrano Huasteco Pepper
  (Quantity Options: Single Pack ($2.00))
• 1 x Fresno Chile
  (Quantity Options: Single Seed Pack ($2.50))
• 1 x Lemon Cucumber
  (Quantity Options: Single Seed Pack ($2.50))
• 1 x Turkish Orange Eggplant
• 1 x Anthriscus cerefolium - Chervil
• 1 x Scotch Bonnet Jamaica Yellow Pepper
• 1 x NuMex Barker Pepper
• 1 x Cipollini Red Onion

😁

I noticed several flowers today. Not "nuts", but here's a closer picture.

I don't know about removing buds; I haven't. This sedling really seemed to struggle before I put it in this Earthbox, and then it took off. I'm trusting it to know what it's doing, especially if it's going to be tricky to cook with.

Turkish Orange Eggplant Seeds-Park Seed

"The best part is that this plant is petite enough to grow in patio containers. Even if you don't have space for even one more plant in the sunny garden, Turkish Orange will grow happily in a tall planter, tub, or other large container. It reaches 18 to 22 inches high, and has much larger yields than big Asian eggplants twice or three times its size.

Turkish Orange is also known as Scarlet Eggplant or Ethiopian Eggplant. It was featured in a recent story on National Public Radio, so American gardeners and cooks are beginning to request it by name...."

My Turkish Orange never exceeded 2' tall; but other eggplants in the Ethiopian complex (such as Striped Togo) can get taller. The plants tolerate shade better than regular eggplant, so can be grown in 1/2 day sun.

I seem to recall that the origin of this eggplant was not Turkey, that the name was invented for marketing... but can't find the reference.

Found one of these today, going to grow it for fun and see what it does, might at least be ornamental. Seems like it would make a good container plant. Any ideas on how to eat the "eggs"? Reading descriptions, they sound only edible before they turn orange.

An update; the plant has grown quite a bit, and while some flowers have dropped off, I have two little fruit!

Hi @nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)! thank you for showing how big your Turkish eggplant is growing. It had a growth spurt! Mine has not put on much growth but it just *might*. The leaves are getting big and meaty. I have been cutting off the flowers so I dont have any eggplants :( But I have stopped ... Let us know what you think of your fruit!

What is an earth box? Is it a small raised bed? A very large pot? Your plants are doing so well in it.

A few days ago I wrote this long post about the seeds you got. It was pretty late at night and I forgot to post it and it disappeared. Anyway nice choices in seeds.

@robert567: I would love to know if care to share what you think of this eggplant. Whenever I try a new type of eggplant I prepare it like this: Slice crosswise (parallel to equator) 1/4 - 1/3 inch thick. Lay out in one layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush lightly with virgin olive oil, flip over and brush with oil the other side. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake at 425 oF for 20-35 mins depending on thickness and firmness of the flesh. The slices should be meltingly tender, but not at all mushy and golden and a little caramelized in spots. Flipping them over once during the baking works well. You could add a tiny bit of vinaigrette to them once done but then you wont taste the eggplant so clearly. these taste good in salads and sandwiches and with hummus and pita.

"What is an earth box?"

@katyajini it's a commercially made sub irrigation planter. Not exactly my set up, but very much like it.

How nifty!

OK, I wrote another post last and I am pretty sure I hit submit and it id not show up here. So I just wrote the above. I have notification of two posts on this thread, I have a notification of another post from nanelle but that post is not here. What is happening?

From 10 years ago

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1390883/eggplants-turkish-orange-what-s-your-favorite

I think one of these is starting to change color! It's about the size of a pool ball.

The others

Yay!