Piccolo, Eggplant Seeds

Piccolo Eggplant Seed

Purple-and-white stripes turn each fruit into garden art
Plump oval eggplants reach approximately three by four inches
Firm flesh holds beautifully for stuffing and pickling
Eye-catching harvests add premium market appeal

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Solanum melongena

Days to maturity

60 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

10 Seeds

About Piccolo, Eggplant Seed, Eggplant Seed

The Piccolo eggplant is a beautiful and eye catching eggplant. This variety's skin is purple and white striped with firm flesh that is great for stuffing and pickling. Piccolos are plump and oval, about 3×4” in size, that has a great charm and appeal. The Piccolo eggplant is vigorous and productive over a very long season in the open field or greenhouse, and they have a good shelf life!

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

In-row plant spacing

18-24"

Row Spacing

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer, Fall

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

36 inches

Growth Habits

Compact, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

5,670

Color

Purple, White

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Warm-Season Crop

Before Planting

Eggplant benefits from a full-sun, warm site with fertile, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Incorporate compost and adjust nutrients and pH according to a soil test, avoiding excessive nitrogen. Wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed; harden transplants and install supports before planting when the crop requires them.

Planting

Start eggplant indoors 8–10 weeks before the last spring frost, using 75–85°F media for reliable germination. After emergence, provide strong light and warm growing conditions, then pot up seedlings before they become root-bound. Harden plants gradually and transplant only after frost danger has passed, nights remain warm, and the soil is at least about 65°F.

Watering

Eggplant produces best with steady root-zone moisture. Irrigate deeply when rainfall is insufficient, especially while flowers and fruit are forming, and keep water off the foliage when practical.

Fertilizer

Eggplant is a moderate to heavy feeder. Apply balanced nutrients according to soil-test results, emphasizing steady fertility and limiting nitrogen once flowering and fruit development begin.

Harvesting

Cut eggplants when fruit reaches expected size and develops glossy, fully colored skin. The flesh should spring back gently when pressed. Use pruners and retain a short stem because the calyx may be spiny.

Tips

Mulch eggplant after establishment to reduce weeds and moderate soil conditions. Keep the crown clear, provide support where needed, and remove declining growth promptly.

Pests & Diseases

Phomopsis blight, Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, and damping-off affect eggplant. Phomopsis can be seedborne and produces tan lesions with black specks. Use clean or properly treated seed, rotate away from nightshades, remove wilted plants, and keep spotted fruit from the seed-saving pile.

Watch eggplant for aphids, flea beetles, hornworms, cutworms, and whiteflies. Remove egg masses and caterpillars, protect young stems, and encourage beneficial insects before using labeled controls.