Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ping Tung Long in USDA Zone 7
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Ping Tung Long · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 5 | February – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | — | June – October |
| Zone 7 | January – March | April – May | — | June – October |
| Zone 8 | January – March | March – May | — | May – November |
| Zone 9 | December – April | February – June | — | April – November |
| Zone 10 | November – May | January – July | — | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Starting your Ping Tung Long eggplants indoors is crucial for success, as these heat-loving plants need a long, warm growing season. Begin seeds 8-10 weeks before your last frost date in a warm environment—eggplant seeds germinate best at 80-85°F. Use a heat mat if necessary, as cool soil will result in poor germination and weak seedlings.
Prepare your planting site by working 2-3 inches of compost into well-draining soil. Ping Tung Long performs best in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) enriched with organic matter. In heavy clay areas, consider raised beds or add coarse sand and compost to improve drainage, as waterlogged roots will kill your plants.
Transplant seedlings only after soil temperatures consistently reach 65°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F—rushing this step will shock your plants and set back production by weeks. Space plants 18-24 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart, as mature plants can reach 3-4 feet tall and wide.
Fertilize at transplanting with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10), then switch to a lower-nitrogen formula once flowering begins to encourage fruit production rather than excessive foliage. Side-dress monthly with compost or apply liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during peak growing season.
Stake plants early using 4-foot stakes, as the long, heavy fruits can snap branches. Install cages or tie main stems loosely with soft cloth strips. In windy areas, provide additional support as these tall plants are prone to toppling.
Maintain consistent moisture through drip irrigation or soaker hoses—inconsistent watering causes bitter fruit and reduces yields. Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch 2 inches from stems to prevent pest problems.
Avoid overhead watering which promotes fungal diseases, and never work around wet plants. In humid climates, ensure good air circulation by proper spacing and pruning lower leaves that touch the soil.
Harvesting
Harvest Ping Tung Long eggplants when fruits reach 10-12 inches long and display a glossy, deep purple skin with no dull spots. Unlike other varieties, these remain tender even at full size, so don't worry about harvesting too early. Test readiness by gently pressing the skin—it should give slightly but bounce back. Overripe fruits develop a dull, brownish cast and become seedy.
Cut (never pull) fruits from the plant using sharp pruning shears, leaving a 1-inch stem attached. The calyx spines can be sharp, so wear gloves. Harvest in the morning after dew dries but before the heat of the day for best flavor and storage life.
Regular harvesting every 3-4 days encourages continued production—leaving mature fruits on the plant signals the plant to stop producing. Each plant typically yields 8-12 fruits per season. Handle carefully as the thin skin bruises easily, and store harvest in shade immediately after cutting.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Ping Tung Long eggplants store best at room temperature for 3-4 days, developing a bitter flavor if refrigerated too quickly. For longer storage, keep in the refrigerator crisper drawer wrapped in paper towels for up to one week—plastic bags cause moisture buildup and rapid deterioration.
For preservation, slice and salt eggplant for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture before freezing. Blanch slices in boiling water for 4 minutes, cool in ice water, then freeze in portions. The tender texture makes this variety excellent for grilling and freezing as prepared dishes.
Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create eggplant chips, or pickle in rice vinegar with Asian seasonings. Due to their mild flavor and tender skin, these eggplants excel in fermented preparations and maintain texture better than larger globe varieties when preserved.
History & Origin
Ping Tung Long originates from Taiwan's Ping Tung County, where it has been cultivated for generations as a treasured heirloom variety. This slender Asian eggplant represents centuries of careful selection by Taiwanese farmers who prioritized tenderness and sweetness over the larger, often bitter European types.
The variety gained popularity among American gardeners in the 1990s through specialty seed companies focused on Asian vegetables, particularly as interest in authentic Asian cuisine grew. Unlike hybrid Asian eggplants developed for commercial production, Ping Tung Long maintains its heirloom genetics, allowing gardeners to save seeds that remain true to type.
In Taiwanese cuisine, long slender eggplants like Ping Tung are essential for traditional dishes where the vegetable must maintain its shape during cooking. The variety's name literally translates to "Ping Tung Long," referencing both its geographic origin and distinctive elongated fruit shape that distinguishes it from round or oval Asian varieties.
Advantages
- +Exceptional tenderness with no bitter compounds even when fully mature
- +Thin, edible skin eliminates need for peeling in most recipes
- +Prolific production with 8-12 fruits per plant in good conditions
- +Ornamental value with attractive lavender flowers and purple fruits
- +Heat tolerance superior to European globe varieties
- +Excellent disease resistance including tobacco mosaic virus immunity
- +Seeds remain true to type for saving and replanting
Considerations
- -Requires long warm season unsuitable for short northern summers
- -Thin skin bruises easily during handling and transport
- -Plants need staking due to heavy fruit load on tall stems
- -Poor cold tolerance—any frost kills plants instantly
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Peppers
Share similar growing conditions and pest management strategies
Tomatoes
Compatible nightshade family members with similar care requirements
Oregano
Repels spider mites, aphids, and other common eggplant pests
Thyme
Attracts beneficial insects and deters flea beetles and hornworms
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Catnip
Repels flea beetles, ants, and aphids that commonly attack eggplant
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that severely stunts nightshade family growth
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit eggplant growth and development
Corn
Competes for nutrients and attracts corn earworm which also damages eggplant
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease tolerance, resistant to tobacco mosaic virus
Common Pests
Flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, phomopsis blight