Question
Hi Mike,

My eggplant is about 2.5 months old.  It was purchase at the local garden shop and after just 4 week produced a beautiful large eggplant (the round type).

Ever since then the plant has been growing up and out and does have occasional flowers.  The only problem is that the flowers fall off or shrivel up before producing fruit.

One special note, there are tons of ants on this plant....

Your expert advice would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer
Rebecca, when blossoms or young fruit shrivel and fall off prematurely, it is usually an indication of one of two problems.  Either your plants are not being fully pollinated, or they are receiving too much water.

If you do not have enough bees in the area, you can hand-pollinate the flowers of most vegetables by taking a Q-tip or small paint brush and transferring the pollen from the male flower to the female (the female always has a small fruit on the end).  This must be done within one day of the female flower blossoming.  However, all you need to do with tomatoes is gently shake the plant every couple of days to improve pollination.  To attract more bees, grow flowers such as sunflowers, marigolds, cosmos, or some other bright annual in the immediate area.

One other possibility is that you are overfertilizing the plants.  Many of today's water soluble fertilizers are very high in nitrogen.  This results in lush foliage but often at the expense of a smaller harvest.  Look for a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium.  Many companies now market products formulated especially for tomatoes.

In summary, remember to continue fertilizing with a low nitrogen fertilizer once every other week, and only supplement enough water to ensure a depth of 1.5?per week.  Water only once or twice per week but very deeply.  Shallow watering always results in poor root development and smaller harvests. Also, be sure to mulch heavily with straw or dried grass clippings around the plants to keep in the moisture and to reduce the need for watering.

In regard to the ants on the plant, they are most likely feeding on aphids.  Aphids are microscopic insects that infest many vegetables, including eggplant.  They are a primary food source for ants.

Although ants will generally not do damage to the plants, aphids definitely will.  They will damage foliage and the flowers of the plant.  To control aphids, plant garlic near susceptible plants. Aphids hate the smell of garlic, and will not go near plants in close proximity.

Another option is to spray the plants with an insecticidal soap or an organic pesticide such as rotenone or pyrethrum.  These products are non-toxic to humans and can be applied right up until harvest.

I hope this information proves beneficial.  Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike

Good luck, and please write again if you ever have any questions.

Regards,

Mike