Long Ping Tung Eggplant: An Asian Treasure for Home Gardeners

The long Ping Tung eggplant brings the flavors and traditions of Taiwan to gardens across North America. This slender, elegant variety produces abundant yields of tender fruits perfect for stir-fries, curries, and Asian-inspired dishes. Whether you're an experienced gardener or exploring new varieties, the Ping Tung offers reliable performance and exceptional culinary rewards.

Distinctive Features of Ping Tung Eggplant

The long Ping Tung eggplant is characterized by its slender, graceful fruits that typically reach 7 to 9 inches in length. The skin is a deep purple color with a glossy finish, and the flesh is tender, creamy, and nearly seedless. This variety is celebrated in Asian cuisines for its ability to absorb flavors beautifully while maintaining a delicate texture. The plants are prolific producers, often yielding multiple fruits per branch throughout the growing season.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost in warm, moist seed-starting mix. Maintain soil temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination rates. Seeds typically sprout within 7 to 14 days. Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, transplant them into individual pots to encourage robust root development and healthy growth before moving outdoors.

Choosing Your Growing Location

Long Ping Tung eggplants require full sun, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed before transplanting seedlings. Space plants 16 to 20 inches apart in well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter. This variety adapts well to container growing, making it suitable for patios, balconies, and smaller garden spaces.

Watering and Plant Management

Water consistently at the soil level, keeping the ground evenly moist without becoming waterlogged. Apply mulch around the base of plants to conserve moisture and maintain consistent soil temperature. As plants mature and produce their long fruits, provide support with stakes or cages to prevent branches from bending under the weight of the harvest. Pinch back the growing tip when plants reach 10 to 12 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and increased fruit production.

Harvesting Your Abundant Crop

Long Ping Tung eggplants mature 65 to 75 days after transplanting and are ready to harvest when fruits reach 6 to 8 inches long with glossy, firm skin. The flesh should yield slightly to gentle pressure. Cut fruits from the stem using a sharp knife or pruners, leaving a small piece of stem attached. The prolific nature of this variety means you'll enjoy continuous harvests throughout the season with regular picking.

Cooking with Ping Tung Eggplant

These slender eggplants are ideal for slicing and stir-frying, grilling whole, or incorporating into curries and braised dishes. Their tender flesh and mild flavor make them perfect for absorbing the seasonings and sauces of Asian cuisine. They're also excellent for grilling, roasting, or preparing in Mediterranean-style preparations.

Growing long Ping Tung eggplants brings authentic Asian flavors to your garden while providing a bountiful harvest of versatile, delicious vegetables.

• Very early producer of 11" long and thin fruits.  Perfect for stir fries!
  
  
• One of the only eggplants that are not bitter and does not require any peeling
  
  
• The fruits start out bright lavender and change to darker purple when mature
   
• Vigorous and stress resistant plant
  
  
• Produces well in the north and all across the US
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 55-60 days
  
  
• Eggplant Seeds | Start seed indoors to allow at least 10 weeks for young plants to develop. Plant in rows 3 feet apart, with 2 feet between plants. Click here for complete Eggplant grow guide