Eggplant with Orange…!! Growing Eggplant Fruit With Orange Fruit By Unique Techniques

Eggplant with Orange…!! Growing Eggplant Fruit With Orange Fruit By Unique Techniques

Eggplant, also known as aubergine or brinjal, is one of the most versatile vegetables in the garden. On the other hand, oranges are among the most popular citrus fruits worldwide, valued for their sweet and tangy taste, high vitamin C content, and refreshing juice. Imagine a unique method where both these two different plants—eggplant and orange—can be grown together, combining their qualities and maximizing fruit production. This concept of “Eggplant with Orange” might sound unusual, but with modern horticultural creativity, intercropping, grafting experiments, and soil improvement techniques, it is possible to cultivate them side by side or even try innovative grafting approaches to explore hybrid growth.

This article will introduce you to unique techniques for growing eggplant fruit with orange fruit, giving you an exciting gardening project that could result in a productive and attractive garden.

Why Combine Eggplant and Orange?

At first glance, eggplants and oranges seem completely different. Eggplant is a fast-growing vegetable from the Solanaceae family, while oranges belong to the Rutaceae family and are long-lived fruit trees. However, combining them offers several benefits:

1. Efficient Use of Space – Orange trees grow tall and spread out, while eggplants remain low-growing shrubs. Planting eggplants under orange trees makes better use of available garden space.
2. Soil Enrichment – Orange trees provide leaf litter that can decompose and enrich the soil, helping eggplants thrive.
3. Microclimate Improvement – The shade from orange trees can protect eggplants from excessive sun, especially in hot climates.
4. Pest Control Support – Some gardeners believe citrus trees can repel certain insects, which can indirectly help eggplants.

Step 1: Preparing the Soil

Soil preparation is the foundation of success when trying to grow eggplants with oranges. Both plants require well-drained, nutrient-rich soil but differ slightly in their needs.

• For Orange Trees: Soil should be loamy, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5), and rich in organic matter.
• For Eggplants: They prefer fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0–6.8).

To make both thrive, prepare a mixed bed with:

• Compost and well-rotted manure to improve fertility.
• Sand or perlite for good drainage.
• A layer of mulch to conserve moisture.

Before planting, dig deep holes for orange saplings, while leaving space in between to later add eggplant seedlings.

Step 2: Planting Orange Trees

Start with healthy orange saplings about 1–2 years old. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, place the sapling, and backfill with enriched soil. Water deeply after planting and ensure each tree has at least 3–4 meters of spacing.

Orange trees take time to grow and establish, but they will later provide shelter and nutrients for the eggplants planted nearby.

Step 3: Growing Eggplants with Orange Trees

Once the orange saplings have adjusted to the soil and started developing, it is time to introduce eggplants. Plant eggplant seedlings about 40–50 cm away from the base of the orange tree to avoid root competition.

• Spacing: Maintain 60–70 cm between each eggplant for healthy growth.
• Watering: Orange trees prefer deep but less frequent watering, while eggplants like consistent moisture. Adjust watering so that both plants benefit.
• Fertilization: Use balanced organic fertilizer. A citrus-specific fertilizer for oranges and a nitrogen-rich boost for eggplants can be alternated.

Step 4: Unique Technique – Grafting Experiment

For adventurous gardeners, a unique experiment is to attempt grafting eggplant onto orange rootstock. While they are from different families and the chances of permanent success are low, horticultural enthusiasts sometimes try unusual grafts to explore plant compatibility.

Here’s how the experiment can be attempted:

1. Select a young orange rootstock with strong stems.
2. Prepare an eggplant scion (a young shoot with leaf nodes).
3. Make a clean diagonal cut on both the scion and rootstock, then join them tightly.
4. Wrap with grafting tape and keep in a shaded, humid environment.

Even if the graft does not last permanently, the process itself can strengthen gardening skills and inspire new hybrid approaches.

Step 5: Care and Maintenance

1. Pruning – Regularly prune eggplants to encourage branching and more flowers. Prune orange trees to maintain air circulation and sunlight penetration.
2. Mulching – Apply mulch around both plants to keep roots cool and retain moisture.
3. Pest Control – Eggplants often attract aphids, beetles, and whiteflies. Oranges may be attacked by citrus leaf miners. Use organic methods like neem oil spray or companion plants (basil, marigold) to reduce pests.
4. Harvesting – Eggplants can be harvested within 60–80 days of planting. Oranges may take 2–3 years before the first real harvest, but once established, they will bear fruit for decades.

Advantages of Eggplant with Orange Growing

• Double Harvest: You get short-term eggplant yields and long-term orange harvests.
• Aesthetic Garden Design: The bright orange fruit and purple eggplant make a beautiful combination.
• Sustainable Gardening: Both crops complement each other by balancing shade, nutrients, and organic matter.
• Learning Opportunity: Attempting grafts or mixed cultivation deepens gardening knowledge and may lead to exciting results.

Conclusion

Growing eggplant fruit with orange fruit may sound like a strange idea, but through unique techniques such as intercropping, soil enrichment, shade management, and even experimental grafting, it becomes an exciting possibility. Eggplants provide a quick harvest, while orange trees offer a long-term reward of juicy, vitamin-rich fruit. By combining them, gardeners not only enjoy a diverse harvest but also learn new skills in plant management and hybrid cultivation.

So if you want to try something unique in your garden, don’t hesitate—plant eggplants with orange trees. With patience, creativity, and the right techniques, you can enjoy two different yet complementary fruits from the same garden, turning an ordinary space into a productive and inspiring orchard.