Several Reasons Why Eggplants Grow Blossoms but No Fruit
Even one of the following reasons can prevent your eggplants from producing fruit. Many times, eggplants develop large flowers, only to have them drop off for no apparent reason. If you determine which of the following issues is damaging your eggplants, you can take measures to solve the problem.
- Not enough water
- Insufficient pollination
- Soil lacks nutrients
- High temperatures over 90°F (32°C)
How to Help Your Eggplants Bear Fruit
Once you’ve determined the cause for your eggplant flowers dropping off the plant, or just never bearing fruit, you can begin the remedy.
Watering
Eggplants need sufficient water to grow successfully. They need deep and consistent watering, that can reach at least 18 inches into the soil. If water only reaches the first few inches, it results in flower drop. Even the fruit will fall off, if not watered enough. Applying up to a 3-inch layer of mulch around your eggplants keeps the soil moist, and prevents sun damage to the foliage on hot days.
Pollinating
Eggplant flowers have both male and female organs in each blossom, which makes them self-pollinating. Usually, the wind or insects carry the pollen from the male to the female part of the flower, but sometimes they need a little help. Gently shaking or tapping the plant loosens the pollen, transferring it from the male to the female. The female part of the flower is where the fruit forms. You can also use a small paintbrush to transfer the pollen. Just swirling the brush around inside the flower should do the trick.
Fertilizing
Spreading organic fertilizer, such as cow, horse or poultry manure adds the nutrients your eggplants crave back into your soil. Manure provides nitrogen that eggplants need to produce protein for growth. If your soil lacks nitrogen, your eggplant leaves will turn yellow. Organic fertilizer also adds phosphorous, which plants need to form healthy roots, and flowers that produce fruit.
Sun Protection
When the temperature in your area rises above 90°F (32°C), cover your eggplants with a shade cloth. This will protect them from sun scorch. If you planted your eggplants in containers, just move them to a shady area until the temperature drops below 85° (29°C).
