Eggplant Ilya Muromets (Russian hero): variety description, yield with photo

Seed company "Gavrish" of the Russian selection for the production of seeds provides a huge selection of various eggplant varieties. Each culture is endowed with high productivity and taste. However, according to gardeners, the eggplant variety Ilya Muromets is very popular. Its unusually large fruits, high productivity and versatility, combined with additional advantages, will be appreciated even by the most whimsical gardener.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Eggplant Ilya Muromets belongs to mid-season crops.The vegetative period from seed germination to the beginning of fruiting averages 113 days. The culture is quite high-yielding. From one sq. m, subject to the rules of agricultural technology, you can collect more than 10 kg of giant fruits.

General characteristics of eggplant:

• shape - cylindrical;
• size - 35-40 cm long, diameter - 10 cm;
• weight - 500-700 g;
• skin - thin, glossy, deep purple;
• pulp - creamy white, no bitterness, and little seed nest;
• taste - high quality.

Universal purpose allows you to use the fruits of Ilya Muromets in the preparation of hot dishes and winter preservation.

You can grow eggplant of this variety throughout Russia. However, if in the southern regions Ilya Muromets prefers open ground, then in the northern part of the country it is recommended to plant it in greenhouse structures.

Advantages and disadvantages of eggplant Russian Bogatyr

Description of eggplant Ilya Muromets says that it is a fairly productive crop that is undemanding to care.

Such qualities are undoubtedly a big plus of the variety. In addition, this culture has the following advantages that will appeal to every summer resident:

• delicacy taste;
• multifaceted healing properties;
• universality of use;
• transportability;
• long shelf life.

The main shortcomings of the Russian Bogatyr eggplant have not been identified. But still it is worth noting that although this is a heat-loving culture, it does not tolerate intense heat. Therefore, before you start cultivating a variety, you need to know a few rules for its cultivation.

Growing eggplants

Variety Ilya Muromets Russian hero, like all similar crops, has a long germination period. Therefore, in order to get an early harvest, eggplants must be grown in seedlings.

Time to sow seeds

The sowing time of the Russian Bogatyr depends on the chosen cultivation method. So, according to the observations of experienced summer residents, if eggplants are planted in greenhouse structures, it is better to lay the seeds in mid-late February. In this case, seedlings for transplanting to a permanent place of growth will be ready by May 15-20.

If eggplants will grow in the open field, the seeds are planted at a later date. The second half of March is considered the best time for this.

Sowing seedlings

Before you start sowing eggplant, you must first prepare the soil material. To do this, mix 2 parts of humus and one part of the topsoil and sand. Then, for 1 bucket of the resulting mixture, it is recommended to add 60 g of superphosphate and 2 tbsp. l. wood ash.

After the procedure, the soil material is well mixed and laid out in peat pots.

The process of sowing seeds is carried out in the following way:

1. Planting material is treated with potassium permanganate and placed in hot water at a temperature of +50 degrees for 15 minutes.
2. After the specified time, the seeds are laid in moist soil to a depth of 2 cm.
3. Seeds are covered with soil and watered by air-drop method.
4. Peat pots are covered with foil and placed in a dark place with a temperature regime of +25 degrees.

When the first shoots appear, the container is released from the covering material and transferred to the windowsill. During the next week, it is recommended to maintain a temperature regime of +16 degrees during the day and +13 degrees at night. Then the air temperature is raised to +28 degrees.

When growing seedlings, you need to take into account the fact that it does not tolerate drafts well. Therefore, while airing the room, young seedlings are recommended to be covered or rearranged to another place.

Choosing a landing site

In the case when eggplants of the Ilya Muromets variety are grown in open ground, it is very important to choose the right place for their growth. Given the characteristics of the culture, the beds must be located in a well-lit area, but at the same time protected from direct sunlight and wind. As a rule, such places are located along the walls of fences or greenhouses.

The best predecessors for eggplant are:

• cabbage;
• legumes;
• cucumbers;
• carrot;
• zucchini;
• pumpkin.

At the same time, eggplants are not recommended to be planted in places where potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and other nightshade crops were previously grown.

Planting seedlings

Planting seedlings in greenhouse facilities is carried out in mid-May. In open ground, transplantation occurs at the beginning of June, when stable warm weather sets in.

The standard for planting eggplants in open and closed ground is the same, it is carried out as follows:

1. In the selected place, holes are dug according to the scheme 50 x 70 cm.
2. A support is installed in the holes.
3. Each recess is abundantly watered with warm, settled water.
4. In the prepared holes in a vertical position, carefully, without disturbing the root system, pre-moistened seedlings are installed.
5. Plants are sprinkled with earth and tied with a braid to a support.

After the manipulations, the soil around each seedling is mulched with dry straw and peat.

Recommendations for crop care

Integrated agricultural technology for the variety Ilya Muromets consists of the same tasks as for all types of vegetable crops. However, it has its own characteristics, which are worth paying attention to.

Irrigation rules

Eggplant Russian Giant is recommended to be watered regularly with warm water. Otherwise, they slow down their growth, which negatively affects their yields.

Plant watering pattern:

1. The first irrigation is carried out 3-4 days after transplantation.
2. Before the appearance of the first inflorescence, water is applied once a week.
3. During flowering and fruit ripening, water every 4 days.

Recommended volume of water per 1 sq. m - 10-12 l.

Essential Fertilizers

Like all crops, eggplant needs complex fertilizers. On average, over the period of their growth, top dressing is applied three times:

1. Before flowering.
2. During fruit set.
3. During the harvest.

Liquid fertilizers are used under the root. Calculation of nutrients per 1 sq. m:

• potassium s alt of hydrochloric acid - 8 g;
• superphosphate - 15g;
• ammonium nitrate - 15g

If the summer is cold, with a lot of wet precipitation, eggplants are recommended to be fed foliarly.

Shaping a bush

An important element in the cultivation of the Ilya Muromets variety is the formation of a bush. As a rule, the plant should have no more than three stems, which are selected from the strongest shoots. After its formation, when it reaches a length of more than 3 cm, all side branches and leaves are removed. It is especially worth paying attention to the greens that shade the inflorescences. Otherwise, there will be a decrease in yield and a delay in its ripening.

Diseases and pests

As a rule, improper care affects the development of diseases in eggplant Ilya Muromets.

If you limit plants to light, timely watering and fertilizers, they begin to suffer from diseases such as:

• leaf curling;
• black leg;
• yellowness of leaves;
• black spotting;
• powdery mildew.

To cope with these diseases is possible only in the first stages of their development. Therefore, it is worth inspecting plants in a timely manner and taking appropriate measures.

Of the most dangerous pests that can damage eggplants, gardeners single out the Colorado potato beetle. A more effective method in the fight against them is the collection of insects and their larvae by hand. If gardeners have little free time, it is recommended to use insecticides.

Harvest and storage of crops

The first harvest of eggplant Russian Bogatyr falls on average on the 35th-40th day after the start of flowering plants. The ripeness of the fruit can be judged by the rich dark purple skin and the density of the pulp.

The collection of eggplants should be carried out very carefully with a knife. The fruits are cut along with the calyx, leaving a stalk 3 cm long.

Eggplants are stored for quite a long time. Subject to the temperature regime of +10 degrees and relative humidity of 90%, the fruits do not lose their marketable qualities for more than 1 month. However, they should be stored in a dry, dark place.

After reviewing all the characteristics of the Ilya Muromets variety, we can conclude that this is a fairly successful find for every summer resident. If you follow all the above agricultural tips, the plant will thank you with a high yield of tasty and he althy eggplants, regardless of how they are grown.

Recommended