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Chinese Long — Aubergines | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Chinese Long
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

70-80days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z9–12USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant after soil reaches 65°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: High — consistent moisture needed
Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam with organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 2-4 feet
Season: Year Round

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Deep lavender-purple
Size: 12-20 inches long, 2-3 inches wide
Shape: Very long, slender, cylindrical
Flavour: Mild, sweet, and tender with no bitterness

In the kitchen

Stir-fries, grilling, roasting, Asian dishes, tempura

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, Colorado potato beetle
Diseases: Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, phomopsis blight
Resistance: Good general vigor, moderate disease tolerance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	August – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving eggplant flavor

TomatoesShare similar growing requirements and can help confuse pests that target nightshades

PeppersCompatible nightshade family members with similar water and nutrient needs

MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and flea beetles while attracting beneficial insects

NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, protecting eggplant

OreganoRepels spider mites and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

CatnipStrong pest deterrent against flea beetles and aphids

BorageAttracts pollinators and beneficial insects while reportedly improving growth

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that severely stunts or kills nightshade plants

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables

CornAttracts corn borers and armyworms that also damage eggplant

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 25
Protein (g): 0.98
Fat (g): 0.18
Carbohydrate (g): 5.88
Fibre (g): 3
Sugars (g): 3.53
Vitamin A (µg): 1
Vitamin C (mg): 2.2
Vitamin E (mg): 0.3
Vitamin K (µg): 3.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.084
Folate (µg): 22
Calcium (mg): 9
Iron (mg): 0.23
Magnesium (mg): 14
Phosphorus (mg): 24
Potassium (mg): 229
Zinc (mg): 0.16
Selenium (µg): 0.3

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the aubergines growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Chinese Long

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Chinese Long?

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