About
Scorpio' is an aubergine grown as an annual either in a greenhouse, frame or cloche or outside in a sunny sheltered position.Compact, bushy plants to around 60cm tall and wide with grey-green, downy leaves produce crops of small, ovoid, deep purple fruit from mid summer into autumn.
About the genus
Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationStart from seed or buy as small plants and grow on in a heated greenhouse or on a warm windowsill. Move to an unheated greenhouse or outside once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly to keep the growing media evenly moist and feed every 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser before switching to a high potassium liquid feed once the first fruits have set
PruningPinch out the growing tip of the plant when it has reached about 30cm high and remove excess flowers if larger fruits are required
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)