The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Solanum melongena. Astrakom is possibly the best eggplant for short season climates or for those who struggle to get the larger fruited types to produce well. Deep purple, elongated teardrop-shaped fruit are smaller and a bit earlier than Diamond. Compact plants produce lots of medium-small (about 4” long) fruit, perfect for folks who like cute smaller eggplant. Very attractive on a plate when sliced in half lengthwise and roasted. Small plants grow to about 2′, making this variety very suitable for container growing. Originating from one of the many Soviet era breeding programs and was named after the Russian city of Astrakhan, located on the Volga River. It was introduced to North American growers by Belorussian seed saver Andrey Baranovsky..[1]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Staking Required | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
When to Plant Your Seedling
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 70-95 F | Well drained. Sandy – earlier planting; Medium texture - highest yields | Regular but moderate watering |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 12-24" | 35" | 60 days from transplant |
- Additional instructions: Usually transplanted in spring using mulches or row covers to protect seedlings. Sensitive to frost at all stages.
- Hand-pollinate by shaking the flowers to improve the fruit set. Stake plants to prevent branches from breaking due to fruit production and to keep the fruit off the soil.[3]
- Harvesting instructions: Hand harvest by cutting stem. Cool by placing immediately in cold water. Eggplant has a short storage and shelf-life, less than 14 days. Harvest when the flesh is glossy and gives slightly under thumb pressure. Use a pruning shears or knife to clip the stem.
- Don't leave mature fruit on the plants because it will suppress new fruit production.[3]
- Storage of ripe fruit is possible for ripe fruit at 50-54oF and 90-95% Relative Humidity. Fruit are very sensitive to chilling injury and to ethylene exposure. [2]
Common Diseases and Pests
- Weeds, insects, nematode, viral/fungal/bacterial diseases
Useful Resources
- https://www.adaptiveseeds.com/product/vegetables/eggplant/eggplant-astrakom-organic/(Seed Source)
- https://afghanag.ucdavis.edu/fruits-nuts-vegetables/Vegetables/files/eggplant/FS_Veg_Eggplant.pdf
- http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/vegetables/eggplant/
- https://sfbaygardening.com/resources/bay-area-planting-calendar/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.