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PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS Soak the seeds overnight to promote germination. Start planting indoors 2 months before the soil warms up and keep in a warm place inside the house. Sow seeds about 10 mm, 24 to 30 inches apart in well-prepared beds. Transplant the seedlings when they have grown a couple of leaf sets. Pinch out the terminal growing tips for a bushier plant. GROWING REQUIREMENTS WATERING Evenly moist soil ensures faster growth. Do not overwater or allow the soil to dry out. PESTS The crop is vulnerable to the following pests - Aphids, Spider Mites, Tomato Hornworms, Downy and Powdery Mildew. Eggplant fruit may not ripen properly due to cold temperatures, pest damage, or infertile soils. Symptoms of crop infection include wilting of leaves, followed by the edges of the leaves becoming dry, brittle and eventually turning brown. The area between the veins in eggplant leaves may also become yellow. The plant's entire vascular system including the roots and stems gets affected leading to its collapse. SOIL Eggplant prefers a sandy soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8 SPOT Grow eggplant in full sun TEMPERATURE This crop requires a moderate warm temperature and it cannot withstand frost. Brinjal requires a minimum temperature of 18 C (65 F) during early growth, but optimal temperature is in the range of 24–27 C (75-80 F) HOW TO HARVEST Harvest 16 to 24 weeks after sowing, when the skin of the fruit is shiny and unwrinkled. Cut the fruit close to the stem and leave about an inch of it attached. Eggplants can be stored for up to two weeks in humid conditions no lower than 10 degrees F.