Pumpkin Tree (Solanum aethiopicum)

Pumpkin Tree (Solanum aethiopicum): this rare eggplant has the appearance of a small pumpkin (5cm diameter ) It is interesting and beautiful to look at.

Perennial in warm climates. To be sown in spring, 18ºc, it provides abundant fruits until autumn.

The leaves are dark green, and the stem has thorns. This type of eggplant is used in hot countries because of its rusticity, and because it does not lose consistency in recipes that require long cooking times. This is a very important quality, since, in countries where the food cold chain is not  efficient, meat requires long cooking times, hence this eggplant comes in handy.

It grows very well in pots. The Pumpkin Tree Eggplant is also cultivated out of botanical interest, and because of its great beauty. We are very fond of this plant, it was one of Seeds Hunters’ first discoveries, and has been part of our garden ever since.

It grows very well in vases, apart from consuming it is also cultivated out of botanical interest as well as its beauty. We are very fond of thid variety since it was one of our first purchases and since then it has always been present in our gardens. Its irrigation needs is noticeably reduced compared to common eggplant, as well as its tolerance to torrid climate.

* Very low: no need for irrigation

** Low, also suitable for hot and arid areas, irrigate only in case of prolonged drought.

*** Reduced needs, this variety is amongst the leas demanding of its species, hence it is highly suitable for areas with sporadic rainfall, to be irrigated only in case of prolonged drought

**** ​​​​​​​Tolerant to water stress, it needs moderate irrigation, suitable for gardens with low water consumption.

We are currently creating a guide for this kind of cultivation, unfortunately, until the guide is published, this is only an overall indication that we can provide without causing confusion about the process. Dry farming, in fact, requires cultivation techniques suitable for the specific  pedoclimate and substrate. All of the varieties included in this category have been acclimatized in Italy.