Bambino F1
Solanum melongena 'Bambino F1'
A delightful mini eggplant hybrid that produces clusters of grape-sized purple fruits perfect for cocktail appetizers and gourmet cooking. The compact 12-inch plants are ideal for containers and small spaces, yet produce an abundance of tender, non-bitter fruits. This variety has won over gardeners with its ornamental beauty and gourmet appeal.
Harvest
45-55d
Days to harvest
Sun
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Zones
9–12
USDA hardiness
Height
2-4 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Bambino F1 in USDA Zone 7
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Bambino F1 · Zones 9–12
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | April – June |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in., Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed.
Harvesting
The fruit is a berry that is egg-shaped, smooth and has glossy skin. The fruit may measure 4 to 8 inches long. It ranges in color from green to white, to purple-black when immature and when it should be eaten. As the fruit matures it gets stringy and bitter. Fruit contains numerous small, flat, pale yellow to brown seeds.
Color: Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The immature fruit is edible and best used in food preparation. As the fruit matures, it becomes stringy and bitter. The fruits are usually cooked and served as a vegetable. They may be prepared and eaten by frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, or stewing. They may also be stir-fried, pickled, stuffed, and fried with a light breading.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Bambino F1 eggplants store best at room temperature for 2-3 days, developing better flavor than refrigerated fruits. If you must refrigerate, place in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer and use within a week – longer storage leads to brown, bitter flesh.
For preservation, blanch whole fruits for 3-4 minutes before freezing in single layers. Their small size makes them perfect for pickling whole in Mediterranean-style brine with garlic, herbs, and olive oil. The grape-sized fruits also excel when roasted with olive oil and salt, then frozen in portion-sized containers for winter use in pasta dishes.
Dehydrating works well too – slice lengthwise and dry at 135°F until leathery. These concentrated fruits rehydrate beautifully in soups and stews, maintaining their sweet, non-bitter flavor profile that makes Bambino F1 special.
History & Origin
Origin: Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Heat
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Wildlife value: The flowers attract bumblebees.
- +Edible: The immature fruit is edible and best used in food preparation. As the fruit matures, it becomes stringy and bitter. The fruits are usually cooked and served as a vegetable. They may be prepared and eaten by frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, or stewing. They may also be stir-fried, pickled, stuffed, and fried with a light breading.
Considerations
- -Toxic (Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Stems): High severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor and growth
Tomatoes
Share similar growing requirements and can be grown together efficiently
Peppers
Compatible nightshade family members with similar care needs
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests that damage eggplant roots
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles
Oregano
Repels spider mites and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for nutrients
Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil which benefits heavy-feeding eggplants
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in nightshades
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds and attracts harmful insects
Corn
Creates too much shade and competes heavily for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169228)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good hybrid vigor with moderate disease resistance
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, early blight