Propagation of eggplant and growing peppers in your garden
The egg plant originated from India and it is a dark purple fruit and is very sensitive to frost. It adores warm, sunny positions protected from rain and draught.
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Propagation
Egg plant can be propagated from the middle of t first month of spring. Temperatures between 22-24`C are ideal for propagation. The compost must be kept moist at all times and fertilizer should be added after every two weeks.
Varieties include Black king, Baren, Galme and Adona. The egg plant is commonly steamed, fried, baked or grilled and must not be eaten when raw.
Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
The bushy vegetables originated from Mexico and have 2 basic types- vegetable peppers which are mild and spicy paprika which is hot. Pepper like most vegetables dislike cold conditions and thrives in warm sunny positions.
When to propagate peppers
You can start planting peppers at the start of spring in temperatures around 22`C. the seedlings can be planted in 3-5 liter pots outside from the middle of the last month of spring.
Tall growing peppers should be trained upwards, removing excess shoots while the low-growing varieties should be left to grow bushy. Initial flowers should be removed and the compost should be kept wet. Add fertilizer after every 3 weeks.
Peppers come in many different varieties. These are Triston, Festival, Sweet and Banana just to name a few. Peppers can be consumed while they are still green (not ripe) or when they are red and ripe. They normally add that spicy taste to a meal.
Cape gooseberry
They produce cherry-sized, orange-yellow fruit. They flourish in sunny, dry, warm conditions which are not windy. Cape gooseberry can be propagated from seeds and also from cuttings. They need delicate are to ensure that they do not suffer from any fungal infections. Cutting back is essential. Irrigate vigorously right till the end of summer. You can Over winter the plants in cool positions (between 8-10`C). Cape gooseberry ca e protected from white fly by employing Encarsia wasps.
Harvest cape gooseberries when they are ornage-yellow. They are very good for the body and mood as they contain plenty of vitamin C, provitamin A , iron and calcium. They can be made into jam or alternatively eaten raw (although they taste bitter sweet)