Very often, vegetable growers are faced with such a problem as the absence of ovaries on eggplants. It happens that plants develop well, bloom profusely, but the fruits do not set, and over time the empty flowers fall off. It is fair to note that this situation most often arises when growing eggplants in a greenhouse. Why does this happen, and what to do about it? Generally speaking, the reason is a violation of agricultural technology. There are several ways to solve this problem, but first you need to determine the reason why there is no ovary, and there are quite a lot of them.
Eggplants are whimsical plants. Wherever they grow, in a greenhouse or in a garden bed, everywhere they need to create optimal conditions for the development and growth of fruits. If the rules of agricultural technology are neglected, there will be few flowers and ovaries, and it may even happen that the ovary falls off while still a flower.
The reasons why a plant blooms but does not set fruit may be the following:
Temperature violation
Eggplant is very picky about air temperature. On average, for normal height, it should be 25-27 °C. If this indicator drops to 15-18 °C, the plant will simply freeze (stop developing). And if this happens during the flowering period, then the ovary most likely will not form, and the barren flower will dry out and fall off. The same situation happens when too high temperature– at 32 °C and above, flowers are not pollinated and eggplants do not set.
Unsuitable soil
Eggplants grow well in fertile, well-drained soil with neutral acidity. If the soil in a greenhouse or garden is too dense, acidic and does not warm up well - this happens with clay and podzolic soils, fruit formation may not occur at all. Conduct a soil analysis - perhaps it is simply unsuitable for growing eggplants.
Insufficient or improper watering
It is known that eggplants prefer moist soil. From abundant and regular watering to a large extent depends on their flowering, the formation of ovaries, and, accordingly, fruiting. It is important to constantly maintain optimal (moderate) humidity, especially in a greenhouse, since insufficient humidity disrupts plant nutrition, which causes a delay in the formation of buds and fruits. When too high humidity(stagnation of water) the access of oxygen to the root system is reduced, which is why the development of the plant is also disrupted.
Fertilizers
Sometimes vegetable growers, in an effort to get an earlier and more abundant harvest, add a lot of fertilizers, both mineral and organic, to the soil. In response to this, eggplants begin to actively grow green mass, but at the same time, all the strength of the plant is directed towards the formation of a bush - there are practically no flower stalks or very few, and those that have formed dry out and crumble.
Excess nitrogen
In general, eggplant is very responsive to any fertilizer, but nitrogen is one of the elements that is applied at a strictly defined time, usually in early spring. If nitrogen fertilizer is applied already during the vegetative process, it will be very stressful for the plant, which will affect flowering and the number of ovaries.
Excess pollen
Fruiting of most eggplant varieties occurs through self-pollination. This is very convenient when growing vegetables in a greenhouse, but there is also some negative aspect.
On blooming eggplants A large amount of pollen is regularly produced, which becomes heavy as it accumulates and sometimes even sticks together. In this case, it cannot be transferred to other plants, which is why self-pollination does not occur.
Video “Why do eggplant flowers fall off?”
The methods of artificial pollination are described in detail in this video.
How to fix problems
Sometimes vegetable growers, faced with problems in growing eggplants, resort to a variety of drugs and means, trying to deceive the plant and force it to grow fruits in an unnatural way.
Such spraying preparations as “Bud”, “Ovary” and their analogues contain gibberellin, a phytohormone that regulates and stimulates plant growth. IN ideal conditions This substance is produced independently in eggplants, but if these conditions are violated, its formation is disrupted.
Spraying with stimulants is quite effective, but not the most The right way solving the problem. It is much more important to create for growing vegetables suitable conditions, and eliminate the factors that led to the fact that the ovaries do not form:
- if the reason is excess nitrogen, it is necessary to add a potassium-phosphorus mixture or ash to the soil - these substances will slightly soften the activity of nitrogen;
- peduncles on self-pollinating eggplants in a greenhouse must be shaken regularly, but very carefully - this will save the pollen from drying out and increase pollination;
- if the eggplants are not self-pollinating, then the reason why a barren flower is formed may be the lack of pollination - in this case, you need to pollinate the flowers on the eggplants manually using a brush;
- it is necessary to control and regulate air temperature - modern greenhouses maintain constant temperature at night, but during the day because large quantity the degree of daylight in the greenhouse can increase significantly;
- special attention should be paid to watering eggplants, especially if the vegetables grow in a greenhouse - watering is carried out at the root in a zone of 30-40 cm around the bush, you need to water abundantly, but not too often and as needed ( frequent watering promote stagnation of moisture), water for irrigation should be slightly warm;
Good fruiting of eggplants is impossible without regular feeding. Vegetables are fed several times during the season. The first feeding is carried out 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in the ground - the following are appropriate here: mineral mixtures, and organic matter (mullein solution). Next, the eggplants need to be fed during the period of bud formation and flowering. The next feeding is carried out during the beginning of fruiting - phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are used (potassium is necessary for good taste eggplant).
Reasons for falling buds
The falling of buds on eggplants even before flowering is the most unpleasant and quite common problem. The reasons why this happens are the most classic:
- sudden temperature change - if temperature conditions the greenhouse is not self-regulating, it is necessary to control the temperature yourself: when it becomes hot to open, so that the eggplants do not suffocate and bake, the greenhouse must be carefully closed at night;
- drying out of the soil or even a slight lack of moisture can also cause buds to fall off on eggplants;
- lack of microelements (most often boron) is the most common reason along which the buds or barren flowers on eggplants fall off - the problem can be solved by adding a solution boric acid in a proportion of 10 g/bucket of water (spray eggplants with the solution).
The falling off of already faded flower stalks indicates that they simply have not become dusty. It should be clarified that of all the flowers that bloom on eggplants, only 60% are pollinated and bear fruit, the rest can bloom for a long time and beautifully, but will dry out without being pollinated.
Eggplants are native to Southeast Asia. The plant belongs to the nightshade family. Eggplants are distinguished by a pubescent stem and the presence of sharp spines on the stalks and leaves. The leaves are large, oval. Fruit weight is from 20 to 2000 grams. Their shape can be different - oval, cylindrical, pear-shaped and spherical. The color is mostly purple, but there are also unusual colors– striped, white, purple.
General information
Often gardeners are faced with the problem of a lack of ovaries on eggplants. At the same time, the bushes are fluffy and bloom well. Why is this happening? The problem may lie in improper cultivation of seedlings. The culture is weak root system and large foliage, does not tolerate transplantation well. The best option– immediately plant it in pots or other containers with a volume of about a liter, so as not to pick. What to do next?
- Fill the pots with soil mixture, moisten and compact.
- Sprout the seeds and place one seed in each pot, place a 2-centimeter layer of soil on top. Compact.
- Cover with film and place in a warm place.
- Eggplants will sprout after 10 days at a temperature of 24 degrees. It is important that the temperature is not too high or too low. If it is more than 40 or less than 18 degrees Celsius, the seeds will die.
- After germination, the seedlings are placed in a cool and bright place for a week. Then they are transferred to a warm place.
- Fertilizing is carried out after the formation of a loop of seedlings.
The most likely reasons for the absence of an ovary
Why is there no ovary? Eggplants are capricious plants and may not form ovaries for several reasons:
- the land is too poor;
- the weather is cold;
- the bees did not pollinate;
- It’s hot in the greenhouse – the temperature is above 40 degrees;
- watering is carried out incorrectly;
- lacks useful substances: in this case, feeding with Epin or Buton is necessary.
Important! It is necessary to water the crop with warm water, 2 times more often than peppers, 4 times more than tomatoes. Each bush should receive 2 liters of liquid daily, and spraying must be carried out.
Solutions to the problem
There is one way to eliminate problems - to grow eggplants correctly.
- In the northwestern and central regions of Russia, crop cultivation can only be carried out in a tall greenhouse or other structure. IN open ground There is practically no chance of getting fruit.
- It is better to cultivate eggplants in a greenhouse separately from other crops. Planting with tomatoes is not the best option.
- The average planting time is from May 15. Before planting in the greenhouse, you should prepare the soil - it should warm up to 16 degrees. For this purpose, a couple of buckets of humus and 100 grams of mineral fertilizers are added to the soil.
- There should be a gap of about 27 centimeters between plants, and between rows it should reach 55 centimeters. It is prohibited to deepen the plantings!
- In a greenhouse, vegetables react painfully to temperature changes. Therefore, the first priority should be to maintain optimal temperature in the building - about 25 degrees. Incorrectly set temperature is the main reason for the absence of ovary in eggplants.
Preventive measures
Eggplants will actively set fruit if you create optimal conditions for them. However, the flowers may still fall off. Which preventive measures what to do to help the plant?
- Conduct a soil analysis. The plant does not develop well in marshy, compacted, cold soils. It is necessary to select soil that is moisture-permeable and rich in organic elements.
- Plants should not be planted after nightshades.– potatoes, tomatoes, physalis. Eggplants can be grown in the same place at intervals of 3 years.
- Another reason for failure is seeds. They can be infected with viruses, so zoned varieties should be planted.
- Poor setting is the result of poor pollination. In view of this, you should pollinate the crop yourself. Take a brush and brush it over the yellow anthers of the flower. Next, the pollen should be applied to the stigma of another flower. It is better to use pollen from a newly opened bud.
In a greenhouse, the plant may shed buds due to the soil drying out. Optimal humidity The air level is considered to be about 60%. If the soil moisture is excessive, the situation repeats itself - in this case, air access to the root system is difficult, as a result of which the flowers fall off. Therefore, it is important to water correctly! It is carried out every week, using 500 liters of water per 10 square meters. After watering, the greenhouse should be ventilated, and the next day the soil should be loosened and mulched.
In a greenhouse, it is important to properly “feed” the crop. The plant prefers nitrogen, so the first fertilizing is done with azofoska solution (3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water), half a liter for each plant. Fertilizers are applied 14 days after planting. Further feeding is carried out during flowering.
After the fruits begin to appear, an infusion of weeds is added to the soil in a ratio of 1:5. Previously, organic matter should not be used - the flowers will fall off. It is important to add 100 grams of superphosphate to each bucket of organic matter. You cannot fertilize with fertilizers containing chlorine and its derivatives. In addition to nitrogen, the crop requires potassium and phosphorus. Potassium fertilizing can enhance the plant's resistance to disease. Phosphorus elements allow you to increase the formation of generative organs and accelerate the appearance of fruits. Mostly weak plants drop their flowers. Therefore, it is worth strengthening their immune system by using Novosil or Epin-Extra.
If a plant drops flowers or has no ovaries, there are several reasons for this. It lacks nutrients, has an unfavorable microclimate, and is watered incorrectly. What to do? Properly care for the crop starting from the seedling stage, selecting optimal living conditions for it.
Eggplant - An unusual vegetable that needs careful and regular care. If you do not follow the basic rules of care and cultivation, the plant will not bear fruit. Many people ask why eggplants don’t set in the garden and in the greenhouse? Let's look into this.
Reasons for the absence of ovary
- They don't like eggplants wet air, but have a very positive attitude towards wet soil.
- Planting seedlings in a greenhouse should be done when the temperature in it reaches more than 18 degrees.
- Many experienced vegetable growers recommend walking in the morning and shaking branches with flowers in order to spread pollen to other flowers.
- Also, the reason for the absence of ovary is too high a temperature above 32 degrees.
- Beware Colorado potato beetle and aphids, as they are dangerous pests and can negatively affect the development of the plant.
- Use only high-quality and proven seedlings. To get a good harvest, you always need to purchase only the best planting material. Ask friends or experienced salespeople for advice.
How to solve the problem of eggplants not setting
Vegetable growth
For seed germination and sprout development, the plant will need about 60 days. During this period, it is important to monitor the soil so that it is sufficiently warm, as well as air humidity. If the temperature is less than 16 degrees, then there is a high probability that the seeds will not have any effect. The ideal temperature is considered to be 23-28 degrees.
Excess nitrogen
If the soil contains a huge concentration of nitrogen, the vegetable will try to shed buds and flowers. Potassium and phosphorus, which must be added to the soil, can solve this problem. Also, many summer residents use ash, which helps plants cope with the abundance of nitrogen.
Improper watering
Some people are accustomed to watering eggplants according to the principle of watering peppers. This is wrong; eggplants need to be watered rarely, but abundantly. It is important that when watering the soil is moistened to a distance of 35-55 cm. Frequent watering is not recommended, as this may cause the absence of ovaries.
Feeding eggplants
After planting, wait a few weeks and give the plant its first feeding. This period is excellent and the plant will quickly absorb all the necessary nutrients. If fruits have not yet been observed, then you can use complex mineral supplements containing microelements (about 2-3 tbsp per bucket of water).
If the plant begins to bear fruit, then nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers can be applied. It is also not recommended to use frequently organic fertilizers, it is best to alternate them with mineral ones.
- Also on topic -
Not enough light
The plant needs sun, so try to choose a site that is not too shaded. In addition, it is important to take into account the fact that eggplants grow and will gradually take over required amount each other's light. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to form plantings using pruning shears.
Why the buds of peppers and eggplants fall off - video
The lack of ovary on eggplants is a problem that many summer residents and gardeners face.
Indeed, it is very unpleasant when so much work and time has been spent growing plants and waiting for them to bloom, but there is no ovary on them.
Some associate this with a lack of heat, others with the length of the day (eggplant is a plant short day), those with excess nitrogen in the soil.
Eggplants are really very fastidious plants and it can be difficult to get fruit from them. Why don't eggplants set and what to do if this happens on yours? summer cottage or in a greenhouse?
The most common reasons for the ovary not to appear are:
How to fix the problem
In order to eliminate the problem of the absence of ovaries, it is necessary to optimize all factors leading to disruption of their formation.
The use of boric acid for spraying plants has a fairly good effect. Boron, in addition to increasing the number of ovaries on eggplants, promotes better growth plants and improves the quality of vegetables.
To prepare the solution, use one to two grams of boric acid per ten liters of water.
Only hot water is used to dissolve boric acid. When preparing a solution for spraying, the powder is diluted in a liter very hot water, after which water at room temperature is added to it.
If there is excess nitrogen in the soil, its effect can be weakened by adding wood ash- 1 cup per 1 m2 of area, ash is used previously diluted with water.
Wood ash will also help deoxidize the soil. It should be remembered that fertilizers are applied to well-watered soil, and watered after application to prevent burns to the root system of the plant.
Need to organize sufficient watering. Water only with warm water.
Watering the plants should be carried out within a radius of 35 centimeters around the bush, abundantly, but rarely - as needed. Watering is carried out early in the morning or in the evening.
Eggplant is a self-pollinating plant. And if eggplants bloom but do not set, you can help them using artificial methods.
- It is sometimes recommended to gently shake the flower stalks - this technique will help increase pollination and save the pollen on the plants from drying out.
- You can apply treatment with drugs that promote the formation of the ovary - “Bud” or “Epin”. Gibberellin contained in these drugs stimulates their formation.
- If eggplants do not set in a greenhouse, the pollination process can be controlled by using a brush or simply gently tapping the plant.
In hot and sunny weather (30˚C and above), when grown in the ground, eggplant plants can be briefly shaded with branches, saving them from overheating; in greenhouses, ventilation can be organized.
With constant shading, the ovaries will also not appear, so it is recommended to tear off the leaves that shade the flowers.
How to prevent
The problem of the absence of ovaries on eggplants lies in the violation of agricultural techniques for cultivating the crop.
To prevent barren flowers on eggplants, you need to have a good knowledge of the biology of this crop. Eggplant is a light-loving, heat-loving and moisture-loving plant - you need to take this into account.
Eggplants cannot withstand sudden temperature changes. Optimal temperature regime for them 25 – 28˚С. At temperatures below 13˚C they begin to turn yellow and die.
Therefore, to prevent temperature changes, experienced gardeners prefer to grow this vegetable in a greenhouse.
To prevent problems with the formation of ovaries caused by unsuitable soil for the crop, you should immediately take care of its physicochemical properties.
Be sure to add in the fall phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. The crop prefers light, well-fertilized soils, so they must be made as suitable as possible for cultivating eggplants.
If the soil on the site is clay or loamy, the structure can be improved by adding sand, manure, peat and sawdust. For 1 m - 1 bucket of sand, 1 bucket of manure, 2 buckets of peat, half a bucket of sawdust.
First of all, it is necessary to observe the agricultural technology of the crop, which includes appropriate soil, fertilizers, planting by seedlings, temperature conditions, watering, and care necessary for this particular crop.
In addition, it is necessary to use zoned varieties.
- The Almaz variety is zoned in many regions of Russia, and even in Siberia. The variety is mid-season, the yield reaches 6 kg/m2. Beginners in growing eggplants are recommended to start with this variety.
- For growing in areas Middle zone The Banana variety is also intended for Russia, the Urals and Siberia - ultra-early ripening, yield up to 4 kg/m2.
- Zoning for cultivation in open ground in southern regions has the variety “Epic (F 1)”, early date maturation.
- In warm, southern climates, the “Black Beauty” variety grows well in open ground, and in areas with cold climates, these varieties are grown mainly in greenhouse conditions.
If the conditions in the eggplant cultivation zone are cold, with a short summer, then you need to choose early ripening varieties and it is better to grow them in a greenhouse.
When favorable weather conditions the choice of varieties is expanding significantly.
The range of eggplant varieties is very large. Their colors are also diverse, they are represented by both purple, blue, black, and white eggplant colors, as well as unusual red, striped, and orange colors of the fruit.
Taking into account the recommendations given, the cultivation of this crop in all its diversity should be successful.
A lot of effort was spent, but the harvest turned out to be meager - this is the most offensive situation for a gardener. Very often, vegetable growers complain about eggplants - it seems that the conditions for planting, watering, and fertilizing were met, the crop bloomed, but the fruits never appeared.
We should start with the fact that eggplant is a complex crop that bears fruit strictly under certain conditions. Perhaps the ones you create do not meet the needs of the plant, and if you left things to chance, then you should not be surprised at all that the plant does not bear fruit.
Why do eggplants bloom but not set?
The main reason for the absence of fruits in the presence of ovaries is non-compliance with growing conditions.
Among the possible errors
- Lack of fertilizers or improper fertilizing. The first time eggplants need to be fed with nitrogen a couple of weeks after transplantation, the second time - after the start of mass flowering. Add manure infusion when fruits begin to set. Helpful advice. Add about 100 grams of superphosphate to a bucket of organic matter. Teach that excess nitrogen is just as bad as its deficiency - in the first case, the formation of fruits slows down, in the second, plant growth.
- Lack of moisture in the soil. If you water your bushes rarely or in insufficient quantities, the soil may dry out and eggplant growth may slow down. What happens - what more water, all the better? No, the crop also does not grow well in damp soil. To keep everything in order, water the plantings once a week or 10 days at the rate of 400 liters of water per 10 square meters. And keep in mind that the water must be warm - at least 20 degrees.
- Little light. Fruits will set only if the plantings are well lit. A little shading of the bushes - and that’s it, you can forget about good harvest. It is recommended to additionally tear off the leaves covering the flowers, but do not get carried away too much - without foliage the plant will also not be able to develop normally.
Eggplants bloom and bear fruit strictly at a temperature of 20-28 degrees Celsius - if it is lower, the development of the plant is suspended, and if it is higher, the flowers fall off, so during frosts the plantings are covered. During periods of prolonged rain, it is recommended to spray the bushes with a solution of calcium nitrate.