04 Jan 20 JOHN CRANE (Australia - tropical climate)
I have them growing now on the Goldcoast, and planted as seedlings, and have several different varieties. The plants are between 30cm and 45cm tall, and started flowering less then 2 weeks after planting, Also have cucumber growing on a trellis adjacent, and getting 2 or 3 mature fruit per day
I think the best answer is it’s not too late if you’re thinking of growing them until April and then overwintering them for fruit for next year. You might even get lucky with fruit this year - but they are very slow growing and being planted quite late
Go to Bunnings or a nursery and buy some seedlings if they have them. Good idea to put a stake (1.4-5m out of the ground) in to support them. If can't get seedlings try some seeds.
I bought my egglant seedling from Bunnings and it's going well. Two months old and over 1 high (climbing up stake) and fruiting. Give it a whirl...only a few $ for the seedling.
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