Icicle F1 Eggplant Seeds

An F1 hybrid, Icicle is a fruit vegetable that is highly ornamental and suitable for an edible landscape. The plant sets small star-shaped violet flowers followed by glossy white eggplants. Cylindrical and uniform in size, the fruits typically grow 7 inches long and weigh 7.7 ounces, larger than other white eggplants. The fruits also stay pure white, without yellowing like most white eggplants do, and have improved texture and flavor. Eggplant is a good source of dietary fiber and contains phytonutrients, particularly anthocyanins and phenolic acids.

Usually grown as an annual, Icicle, an herbaceous tender perennial, is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which contains plants that typically grow in temperate to tropical regions. Icicle plants have fewer spines than most eggplants, making them easier to harvest. The plants are large and sturdy, but their vigorous, spreading habit and heavy yields of 8 to 9 fruits per plant may require staking or caging for support. Icicle can also be grown in an 18- to 24-inch container.

Eggplant grows best in full sun and fertile, moist, well-drained sandy and loamy soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Eggplants need moisture for fruit development and should be watered consistently, especially in dry conditions. The plant is resistant to insect and environmental damage and tolerant of heat.

A warm-season vegetable, very sensitive to cold temperatures and frost, eggplant seeds can be direct sown into warm spring soil after the last frost date. For an earlier harvest, seeds can be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the frost-free date and transplanted after all threat of frost has passed and soil temperatures are 65°F or above. The plants grow fastest when temperature ranges between 80 to 90°F during the day and 70 and 80°F at night. Protect plants with row covers if temperatures are expected to dip below 50°F. Mulching helps to moderate soil temperature as well as to maintain soil moisture and control weeds. Succession plant throughout summer for a continuous harvest.