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How to Grow Ping Tung Long Eggplant

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Ping Tung Long Eggplant

Solanum melongena 'Ping Tung Long'

vegetable

Ping Tung Long is a long, slender Asian eggplant variety prized for its tender skin, minimal seeds, and mild flavor. This productive cultivar produces abundantly throughout the season and is particularly popular in Asian cuisines. The plant grows to 2-3 feet tall with purple fruits that can reach 8-12 inches in length.

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Example Ping Tung Long Eggplant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Ping Tung Long Eggplant

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Ping Tung Long Eggplant

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ping Tung Long Eggplant dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily; minimum 6 hours for acceptable growth
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Increase frequency during hot weather and fruiting. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
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Days to maturity: 70-90 days from transplant
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Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seeds; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 9-11; can be grown in zones 8-9 with extended seasons or protection

9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate appearance, typically 2-4 inches tall

Maintain soil moisture without waterlogging. Provide warm conditions (75-85°F). Use grow lights if starting indoors. Thin seedlings to strongest if direct seeding.

2

Vegetative

4-6 weeks

Rapid growth with branching, developing deeper green foliage, plants reach 8-18 inches tall

Ensure consistent watering and full sun exposure. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Install stakes or cages early for support. Remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation.

3

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Purple flowers appear at branch tips; plants become bushier and reach mature height of 24-36 inches

Maintain consistent watering schedule. Begin weekly fertilizer applications with slightly higher phosphorus (5-10-10). Pollinate flowers by hand or encourage pollinators. Remove any damaged flowers or leaves.

4

Fruiting

2-3 weeks per fruit

Young fruits develop from flowers, enlarging to full size 8-12 inches long with glossy purple skin

Provide consistent water; fluctuations cause fruit cracking and bitterness. Apply mulch to keep roots cool. Continue fertilizing every 7-10 days. Support heavy fruit branches with ties or additional stakes.

5

Harvest & Production

6-8 weeks

Mature fruits reach optimal size with glossy, firm skin; plants continue producing new flowers and fruits throughout season

Harvest fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Use sharp pruners or knife to cut; do not tear. Continue watering and fertilizing. Deadhead spent flowers. Watch for pest pressure as season progresses.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Marigold Oregano Thyme Borage Onion Garlic

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Kohlrabi Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Potato

Common Pests

  • Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad spray. Remove affected leaves. Encourage natural predators.

  • Increase humidity; mist leaves regularly. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap. Use sulfur spray. Remove heavily infested leaves.

  • Spray with water to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings. Use yellow sticky traps.

  • Use yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap. Increase air circulation. Vacuum insects off leaves if light infestation.

  • Remove affected fruits immediately. Inject Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) into fruit entry holes. Use pheromone traps. Maintain plant health and vigor.

  • Use wilt-resistant varieties. Avoid overhead watering. Remove infected plants entirely. Sterilize soil if re-planting in same location. Practice crop rotation.

Uses

🍳

Stir-frying & Asian Cuisine

Culinary

Ping Tung Long eggplants are ideal for stir-frying due to their tender skin, minimal seeds, and mild flavor. They're a staple in Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian cooking, absorbing sauces and seasonings while maintaining structural integrity. [source]

🍳

Grilling & Roasting

Culinary

The long, slender shape makes these eggplants perfect for grilling or roasting. They develop a creamy texture and caramelized flavor when exposed to high heat, making them excellent for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. [source]

🍳

Nutritional Value

Culinary

Ping Tung Long eggplants are low in calories, high in fiber, and contain antioxidants including nasunin (an anthocyanin). They provide vitamins, minerals, and compounds linked to heart health and reduced inflammation. [source]

🏠

Natural Dye Production

Household

The purple skin of eggplants contains anthocyanin pigments that can be extracted and used as a natural dye for fabrics and paper. This eco-friendly approach provides sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Eggplant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that are essential for both vegetable production and garden ecosystem health. Growing eggplants contributes to supporting biodiversity. [source]

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting when fruits reach 6-8 inches long with glossy, firm skin and slight give to pressure. Harvest every 2-3 days to encourage continued production. Use sharp pruners or knife to cut stem cleanly; do not tear fruit. Fruit is best when picked before fully mature for tender texture. Morning harvest yields firmer fruit. Continue picking throughout season until frost; plants will produce until temperatures drop below 50°F at night.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Ping Tung Long is named after Pingtung County in Taiwan, where this variety was developed and has been grown for centuries.
  • 🌱 Unlike larger globe eggplants, Ping Tung Long's long, slender shape allows it to cook faster and more evenly, requiring less oil for cooking due to higher flesh-to-skin ratio.
  • 🌱 Eggplants are technically berries from a botanical perspective, and they were once considered 'mad apples' in medieval Europe due to a mistaken belief that eating them caused insanity.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch pH True Leaves
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