Eggplant ‘Tsakoniki’ Seeds (Naturally Grown)
Tsakoniki eggplants are originally from Greece, and have beautiful purple and white stripes. The fruits run to about 7” long. They are commonly used in stews and sauces, and can also be baked, fried, stuffed and grilled.
Tsakoniki is a Greek eggplant variety from the town of Leonidio where they have an annual festival celebrating this amazing vegetable, which is renowned for its delicate, sweet flavor and tender skin. In order for fruit of this variety to be marketed in Europe by this name, it must come from Leonidio (Controlled Designation of Origin). In addition to being a name for a fabulous eggplant, Tsakoniki is a reference to the Tsakonian language, which derives from the ancient Doric dialect. Regarded as the oldest dialect still spoken in the world, it is critically endangered with only a few hundred speakers remaining.
| Botanical Name | Solanum sp. |
|---|---|
| Seeds Per Pack | 25 |
| Life Cycle | Annual |
| Min. Time to Germinate | 10 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate | 15 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds | 1/8 in. |
| When to Sow | Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost |
| Growing Height | 24-36 in. (60-90 cm) |
| Plant Spacing | 12-15 in. (30-38 cm) |
| Hardiness | N/A |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Danger | Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested |
| Bloom Color | Violet/Lavender |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring/Early Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer |
| Other Details | Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater |
| Soil pH Requirements | 5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic), 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) |
| Days to Harvest | 70-80 |
| Propagation Methods | From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
| Seed Collecting | Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds |