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Ichiban — Aubergines | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Ichiban
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

61-70days to harvest

10-14days to germinate

Z9–12USDA zones

Easydifficulty

F1 hybridContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost date. Transplant outdoors when soil temperature is consistently above 65°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: High — consistent moisture needed
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 2-4 feet
Season: Year Round

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Glossy dark purple
Size: 10 inches long, 6-8 oz
Shape: Long, slender, straight
Flavour: Mild, sweet, and creamy with tender texture

In the kitchen

Excellent for Asian cuisine, grilling, roasting, stir-fries, and tempura. Thin skin requires no peeling.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, aphids
Diseases: Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, early blight
Resistance: Good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus and other common diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	May	July – August	—	September – August
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	August – October
4	March – April	June	—	August – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	July – September
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	June – August
9	January	March – April	—	May – July
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 whiteflies while potentially improving eggplant flavor

MarigoldsDeters nematodes, aphids, and flea beetles with natural compounds

PeppersSimilar growing requirements and both benefit from shared pest deterrents

TomatoesCompatible nightshade family members with similar care needs

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting eggplant

OreganoRepels aphids, spider mites, and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

BorageAttracts beneficial insects and may improve growth and flavor of eggplant

CatnipStrong insect repellent properties, especially effective against flea beetles

Avoid

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables including eggplant

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in nightshade family plants

CornCompetes for nutrients and can harbor corn earworm which also attacks 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

← PreviousJapanese Long Next →Rosa Bianca

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.

Ichiban

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 Ichiban?

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