How to Grow Ping Tung Eggplant

The Ping Tung eggplant is a very popular variety in Taiwan. And, guess what! They are one of the easiest eggplant varieties to grow in Houston. Seemingly, this Asian variety is grown for over 100 years and is popular as one of the prolific producing varieties in Taiwan’s agriculture industry. Most Asian countries enjoy Ping Tung eggplant fresh, pickled, and cooked. The seedless, meaty texture is what makes this variety a much-loved one than other eggplants. Lately, this variety is gaining popularity in the USA because of its high yield. Here is how to grow Ping Tung eggplant in your Houston backyard garden.

How To Grow Ping Tung Eggplants In Houston

Choose a Suitable Location:

First of all, choose a sunny place with rich soil that is free from weeds. If possible, plant your seedlings on a hillside so they have more sunshine. You should also consider planting them near a south-facing area in your garden where there is plenty of air circulation.

Prepare the soil:

Before planting seeds, prepare the soil by adding some fertilizer. Eggplants are heavy feeders and so does this one. Prep your soil by adding some compost before sowing seeds. In addition, make sure that the soil is well-drained. To get the soil ready for planting, distribute the recommended amount of elemental sulfur (or ground agricultural limestone) needed to adjust the pH level to between 6.0 to 6.8, and then add one pound of water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer per 100 square feet. I like to add homemade compost, compost tea, and earthworm castings while prepping the soil.

Starting Ping Tung from Seeds Start Seeds:

Start the Ping Tung eggplant seeds in late winter indoors. Eggplant seeds take a long time to germinate. The paper towel method or the instant pot method works the best to germinate the seeds. This year, I started my seeds on a seed mat, and it worked very well. After germinating, sow eggplant seeds in small pots and let them grow indoors under a grow light for 3-4 weeks.

Sow seedlings:

When temperatures are around 20°C (68°F), and the dangers of the last frost are gone, transfer the seedlings to the outdoors and let them harden. Before planting them in a raised bed or in-ground, ensure that the soil temperature is above 59°F. You may cover the seedlings with nets to prevent nighttime pest damage. To avoid spring frost damage, put a floating row cover over the eggplants at night and remove it in the mornings. Keep the growing medium damp until your eggplant seedlings absorb the transplant shock. After the seedlings show new growth, feed them twice a month with a mixture of equal amounts of fish emulsion and water for the first few weeks or up to 40-days from transplant.

Staking:

For those planting the seedlings in-ground or on a raised bed, insert a wooden stake deep into the ground next to each eggplant. These stakes will provide adequate support to your plants. After every ten to twelve inches of vertical growth, tie the main stem with the stake loosely.

Watering

Water your plants regularly. Each time you water, use a watering can instead of sprinkling water
directly onto the leaves. This way, you won’t waste any water. ● Fertilize
You need to fertilize your Ping Tung eggplant after every two weeks. Use a balanced fertilizer or organic compost.

Harvest:

Fruits are picked at their peak when they’re between 11-16 inches (about 28-40 cm.) long and still shiny. The tender eggplants have a sweet flavor when picked at the right time. Ping Tung eggplant produces best when grown under warm, sunny conditions. Ping Tung long eggplant takes about 60-80 days to maturity. Fruits are harvested once they reach their full size and are no longer shiny. When the eggplants reach between 12 and 15 in. long and have tight, shiny skins, harvest by cutting them off the stems.

Store:

Store your Ping Tung eggplants in a cool, dry place. You can store them in a plastic bag for up to three months. It is very easy to store. Just keep it in a cool place. If you live in colder cities, wrap the fruit in plastic bags and put them in the refrigerator to slow down ripening.

Companion vegetables

You can also grow other vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, onion, garlic, etc. in the same
bed.

Helpful Tips:

If you want to grow Ping Tung eggplants, you should know that they require a lot of sunlight. So, always plant them in a sunny location. Also, don’t forget to mulch your garden every year. Mulching prevents weeds and keeps moisture, and helps your eggplants thrive even in Houston’s harsh summer.

Do Ping Tung Eggplants Require Trellis?

Ping tung eggplants grow quickly, but they’re usually not too tall. They’re sturdy, bushy, and don’t require stakes or plant supports. However, you may add stakes as required.

Is Ping Tung a Good Eggplant Variety to Grow in Houston?

Ping Tung Long is an excellent eggplant for growing in hot, arid regions because it thrives in these conditions. These varieties can tolerate both wet and dry conditions and extreme heat. However, they are cold-sensitive like many eggplant varieties. Cool temperatures prevent the seeds from germinating and the plants from growing normally. If you want to get the best results from your ping tung eggplants, grow them during the spring-summer gardening season in Houston.

Tips On Growing Ping Tung Eggplants From Seeds:

Start these seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your region’s last expected frost date. Seed should germinate within seven to fourteen days when the temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Before planting young seedlings into the garden, they should be hardened off. Ping Tung eggplants require full sun and fertile, moist, well-draining soils like all eggplant varieties. Feed plants every two months with a mild organic fertilizer. I always prefer earthworm castings, compost tea, or homemade compost. These eggplants mature in about 60-80 days.

How tall do Ping Tung eggplants grow?

The plants can be 24 to 32 inches tall and bushy.

What’s the difference between Ping Tung and Ping Tung Long?

Ping Tung is short, while Ping Tung Long (or Ping Tung Medium) is medium-sized. They both have dark green, obliquely lanceolate leaves and purple flowers on stems. The most important difference between Ping Tung Long and Ping Tung is that Ping Tung Long is slightly sweeter than Ping Tung.

Which eggplant is easiest to grow?

I think Ping Tung Long is the easiest to grow, at least in Houston. It grows fast and doesn’t require much maintenance. Just feed them well and take care of pests, and your plants will give you bountiful produce.

Are there any pests that affect Ping Tung eggplant?

Yes, there are several insects that attack Ping Tung eggplant, including aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, squash vine borers, and leafhoppers. Tomato hornworms and Japanese Beetles also attack and damage the foliage during the early growing season. To control pests, I highly recommend periodically using organic Neem Oil, BT, or soap solutions. Try keeping the garden beds weed-free to allow your eggplants to grow healthy.

Keep an eye out for aphids on the eggplants and spray them off with the hose if you see them. Eggplant aphids usually have a light green, amber, or black color, measuring about 2 millimeters long.

To prevent Verticillium Wilt, plant eggplants away from any areas where tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers were grown in the last three years.

To remove beetles from eggplants, use a hand brush to gently scrape them off. Then, combine one teaspoon of Bacillus thuringiensis with 1 gallon of water and use an aerosol spray bottle to spray the larvae.

Where can I buy Ping Tung eggplant online?

You can find Ping Tung eggplant online from many reputable retailers such as Amazon.com or