Thorns on eggplant seedlings: why they appear and how it affects the harvest

Growing eggplant seedlings is a responsible process that requires attention to detail.

Some gardeners may be concerned when thorns appear on the stems and leaves of young plants.

It is necessary to understand why this is happening and how it affects the future harvest, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .

Varietal characteristics: genetic predisposition

Some varieties of eggplant have a genetic predisposition to developing thorns.

This is a varietal feature that does not affect the quality and yield of the fruit. The thorns can be located on the sepals, stalks and even on the fruit itself.

Lack of Light: A Response to Stress

Lack of light is one of the factors that can cause thorns to appear on eggplant seedlings.

In low light conditions, plants stretch, the stems become thin and weak, and thorns may form on them. Providing enough light will help avoid this problem.

Violation of temperature regime: cold and temperature changes

Eggplants are heat-loving plants that are sensitive to temperature changes. Cold air and sudden temperature fluctuations can cause stress in plants and lead to the formation of thorns.

The optimal temperature for growing eggplant seedlings is 22-25 degrees during the day and 18-20 degrees at night.

Excess Nitrogen: Nutritional Imbalance

Excess nitrogen fertilizers can cause thorns to appear on eggplant seedlings.

Nitrogen stimulates the growth of green mass, but if there is too much of it, the plants become "fat" and prone to various problems, including the formation of thorns. It is important to maintain a balance of nutrients and not overfeed the seedlings with nitrogen.

Impact on harvest: myth or reality

Thorns on eggplant seedlings do not have a significant impact on the yield and quality of the fruit.

This is more of an aesthetic defect that does not affect the taste and nutritional properties of eggplants. However, the presence of thorns can create inconveniences when harvesting and processing the crop.

Prevention and elimination: caring for seedlings

To prevent thorns from appearing on eggplant seedlings, it is necessary to maintain optimal growing conditions: provide sufficient lighting, maintain a comfortable temperature, monitor the nutritional balance and avoid excess nitrogen. If thorns do appear, do not worry, this will not affect the harvest.

Earlier we talked about effective feeding for strawberries .