Eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) belongs to the nightshade household ( Solanaceae ) , which let in several species of fruit . Many people remember of these fruit as vegetables because they ’re not as gratifying and naughty as most fruits .
Four Common Nightshade Crops
The nightshades admit the following four craw , pop with household gardener . Although each of them is unlike , their structures and growing conditions are standardised . They ’re also susceptible to the samediseases and insects .
All about the Nightshade Family
Most gardener plant life at least one of the nightshades in the spring . Whether you select eggplants , Lycopersicon esculentum , green peppers , potatoes or all four , you ’re sure to have baskets of fresh fruit during the summertime . While eggplant , tomato plant and green capsicum pepper plant grow from seed , Solanum tuberosum grow from ‘ seed potatoes ’ , which are one - inch lump of potato with a few eyes on them .
Climate Considerations for Nightshades
Unlike brinjal , tomatoes and green peppers , their white potato cousin need coolheaded soil to fly high . This is why potatoes grow well in northerly res publica , like Maine and Idaho , as well as Canada . On the other hired hand , eggplants , tomatoes and gullible peppers demand temperature from 70 ° F ( 21 ° coke ) to 85 ° F ( 29 ° speed of light ) to grow successfully . Of all the nightshade , eggplants require the most heat , while tomatoes and white pepper droop if the temperature rises above 90 ° F ( 32 ° C ) . All nightshades need full sun and frequent watering .
Nightshades Need Room to Grow
Nightshades mature fast and improbable , so your garden need way for them .
Tomatoes
Most Lycopersicon esculentum mixture want cage , trellis or stake to keep them erect . The weightiness of the love apple can displume the plants to the ground .
Eggplants
Eggplants require at least 2 feet between the rows . Depending on the variety you implant , they can grow into large bushes , and some may necessitate bet .
Green Peppers
As with eggplants , dark-green Piper nigrum ask 2 ft between the rows . Some varieties grow tall , and may need staking as they germinate .
Potatoes
Your potatoes need hill of dirt and mulch from 2 to 3 foot aside . As the shoots grow taller , mound more dirt and mulch around them .
Nightshade Pests
penis of the nightshade family suffer from similar pests . These pests admit the Colorado white potato vine mallet , flea beetle , aphids , tomato hookworm , whiteflies , snails and slugs . Plantingcompanion plantsthat repel pestis is helpful in preventing harm to the plants .
Unusual Nightshades
Although eggplants , tomatoes , unripened peppers and white potato are common nightshades , several flowers and other industrial plant belong to this sept , as well . One familiar nightshade is tobacco ( Nicotiana ) , while two tropical bushes that produce fragrant flowers , Datura and Brugmansia are also nightshades .
