Pumpkin on a Stick, Eggplant Seeds

Pumpkin on a Stick Eggplant Seed

Ribbed fruits ripen orange like tiny pumpkins
Ornamental eggplant has intrigued gardeners for generations
Sturdy branches make whimsical autumn cutting stems
Perfect for fall arrangements and seasonal conversation

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Solanum integrifolium

Days to maturity

75 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

10 Seeds

About Pumpkin on a Stick, Eggplant Seed, Eggplant Seed

The Pumpkin on a Stick will have you asking "is it a pumpkin, a gourd or a tomato?" but it's actually an ornamental eggplant! This unique delight has been baffling gardeners for over 125 years! These ribbed fruits will resemble a tomato and then a pumpkin once it dries out. This beautiful plant will need to be staked as it can reach 4 feet tall. This prolific plant will yield dozens of little orange fruits. Pumpkin on a Stick is perfect for any indoor decorations or arrangements as it is an autumn staple!

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

7–21 days

In-row plant spacing

18-24"

Row Spacing

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer, Fall

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

36 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

6,250

Color

Orange

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.