Pruning eggplant (Pruning back the japanese eggplants) – How to prune eggplants (Eggplant care)
Growing japanese eggplant in rental patch. In the last article, we reached the point of harvesting japanese eggplants. From now on, we will continue harvesting while adding fertilizer. (Eggplant care and maintenance.)
By pruning while harvesting, you can enjoy growing eggplants for a longer time. This time, I will explain how to do the pruning.
This time, I am explaining how to prune japanese eggplants with diagrams. The same pruning method applies to other types of eggplants, like white eggplants and zebra eggplants, so it will also be useful for growing different varieties.
This page explains the pruning back method for eggplants. There are many ways to prune eggplants, but pruning back lets you harvest while you prune, which is good for home gardens.
https://www.vege-try.net/en/harvest-japanese-eggplant-and-ad...How to prune japanese eggplants (Eggplant pruning tips) – Eggplant trimming and pruning methods
First, the main stem and two side stems. These three will keep growing, so basically, we don’t pinch them. However, if the eggplant grows taller than 170m (67 inches), pinch the tips of the branches. (This is because when eggplants get too tall, it’s hard to take care of them.)
Harvest only the eggplant fruit that grows directly from the main stem and 2 side stems.
Suckers from the main stem and side stems are pinched after leaving 2-3 leaves once buds appear.
When harvesting the eggplant fruit on the suckers, cut them off with the suckers.
When you prune the eggplant suckers, the number of branches and leaves will be less, but that’s okay. After pruning, new suckers will grow from the base, and you can let those grow. Then, those suckers will have more eggplants, and you can harvest them again.
This pruning method is called “heading back pruning" (pruning back). This method allows you to harvest while cutting back the eggplant branches, which helps the eggplant plant not get tired easily.
Heading back pruning (Pruning back) for eggplants is easy in theory, but it can be confusing in practice. As the eggplant plant grows, the branches get crowded, and it becomes hard to know which branches to cut.
I have been growing eggplants for only three years, so it takes time for me to identify which branches to prune. Sometimes it feels like a hassle, but I think it’s part of the fun.
There are ways to prune eggplants other than heading back pruning, so try different methods. If you find a pruning style that works for you, growing eggplants will be even more enjoyable.
Following is the video for how-to. English subtitles are available.