When do aubergine plants grow their fruit?

[babalas]

I planted a few aubergine plants in the early summer and keep them in my sunny conservatory (or else the fox destroys them). I have re-potted them a few times as they keep growing - lovely and big and green ... but no fruit, only a few tiny white flowers. When will the aubergines grow? (My red peppers I planted at the same time have quite big fruit now.)

[Thunderbird+]

Hi babalas,
I found a site that seems to have it all covered re Aubergines,apparently they should bear fruit in the 3rd year of planting, in late aug-sept of that year. Hope you find it helpful Tbird+

http://growingfruitandveg.co.uk/gardenguide/20 06/july.php

[Siamsal]

I always believed these to be annuals, like tomatoes. They don't last more than a year. That being so, if you sowed in the spring, you should have got fruit late summer/autumn.

This year, I tried them for the first time. I did get a couple of fruits, but not really big enough to be usable. I think they need a lot of sun and warmth to set fruit, which I didn't have this year (in damp Derbyshire). I too had lots of flowers, though.

[WendyS]

I think aubergine plants only last one year and need a lot of heat and sunshine. I also suspect that in your conservatory there may not be enough insects to pollinate them. (Don't know if they are self pollinating). If you don't have fruits growing by now I suspect that you have probably missed the season and will need to start again next year. However, you could try cross pollinating the flowers yourself by using a tiny paintbrush or twist of toilet paper and moving it from one flower to another to spread the pollen about.