Eggplant (Florida Market) 50 Fresh Seeds
 
The Florida Market Eggplant is an old heirloom eggplant variety hailing from the State of Florida that was once used for commercial eggplant production purposes. The variety was originally developed at the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station at Gainsville, Florida in the 1940's by cross-breeding wild eggplant cultivars brought to the United States from India with commercial eggplant cultivars found in Florida at that time. 
 
 
The eggplant varieties Fort Myers Market Eggplant, Florida Beauty Eggplant and the Special Highbush Eggplant also originated from the same breeding project, but of this group, only the Florida Market Eggplant (which the United States Department of Agriculture registered as eggplant cultivar #GRIF 14170) still exists today. This eggplant variety has subsequently become rare over the last 60 odd years and is now rarely offered by seed companies.
 
 
This lovely, old fashioned Southern eggplant variety produces very high yields of glossy, black eggplants that range from an oval to a teardrop shape. The eggplants are of a substantial size and are borne on large, vigorous plant of an upright type growth. The plants are extremely productively and is a continuous setter of eggplant fruits that makes it ideal for home.
 
 
 Protect the plants from strong, drying winds.
 
 
How to Grow  from Seed
 
Sow the seeds in individual pots of good quality potting soil at least 6 weeks before you plan to set them out. Barely cover them with soil. Moisten the soil gently so as not to disturb the seeds.
Bottom heat will speed germination considerably.
 
 
As soon as the seedlings emerge, move them into bright light and keep protected for the first few weeks