[cricketwidow]

If I pick my aubergines will they ripen indoors on a warm windowsill.

[mumofstig]

No, they will just go soft and soggy 

[Benandbill]

At least you got an aubergine to try and ripen.  I nurtured loads of plants for months, was left wth 3 I thought were fit to plant out in the allotment and now all 3 look like they're dying 

[mumofstig]

I have some lovely strong bushy plants and many pretty flowers........but I've only had 1 tiny fruit set all year


and yes, I've done the twiddle with the paint brush to no avail *sighs*

[Benandbill]

'twiddle'??  'paint brush'??   

[mumofstig]

yes, proper name hand pollination.............transferring pollen from one flower to another to help with pollination/fruit set, which can be done with a soft paintbrush

This year the flowers seemed to set, but then fall off from the bend in the stem 

[Chrysalis]

Not just me then?! Only had three teeny fruits show this week from four fabulous plants. Spending much time talking nicely to them now, having cursed and ranted!

Thought i was doing something wrong all this time.  Rather relieved at others' misfortune, though sorry, too, of course 

Is it too late for them to grow big and strong?

[BabbyAnn]

I have 10 healthy plants that have been flowering for ages ... and no fruit either    5 are in the greenhouse, 5 planted on the allotment.  This is the first time I've managed to get them to grow and was feeling especially proud but now very disappointed.  Doubt they'll produce anything now.

[rubyrose]

hi tried growing aubergine for the first time this year only 1 plant had three flowers so far the 1st one dropped off then had two opened together so tried hand pollinating with brush. then both those flowers dropped off to  have small buds again but not very hopefull

[sunshineband]

I have never ever managed to grow aubergins and this year was my absolute last effort - I have got two plants that are providing a steady stream of smallish long ones.

Tunrs out that M. whose plot is three away from me, has had the same problem .... she also has the longish ones and has had some to eat.

Maybe these long ones set better, who knows?