PI 665010 01 SD - Solanum melongena
PI 665010 01 SD is Solanum melongena - also known as Black Beauty Eggplant. I received 54 seeds, two of which are black. The other seeds are beige in color. Seeds measure 3-4mm across and are vaguely round and flat in shape. They remind me of small bell pepper seeds. The seeds originated from High Mowing Organic Seeds and were donated to the USDA/GRIN. According to High Mowing Organic Seeds (2014 catalog), this variety has a 65 day maturity (from transplant) and they are described as:
"Standard open-pollinated Italian with high yields and no spines. Large bell-shaped fruits range from 1-3 lbs and have a slight signature ribbing. Medium to thick skin is deep purple, and glossy when mature."
The GRIN website further describes them as:
"An early-maturing Northern variety bearing classic-shaped, sweet, oblong fruits. Plants set 3-4 fruits each."
"Standard open-pollinated Italian with high yields and no spines. Large bell-shaped fruits range from 1-3 lbs and have a slight signature ribbing. Medium to thick skin is deep purple, and glossy when mature."
The GRIN website further describes them as:
"An early-maturing Northern variety bearing classic-shaped, sweet, oblong fruits. Plants set 3-4 fruits each."
These seeds will be planted outside when weather permits. It will be interesting to see how they do in normal garden conditions. I plan to try some indoors as well to see how they compare; indoor with artificial or south-window light and no insects or herbivores, versus outdoor with natural sunlight and weather conditions and all the insects and herbivores native to Central Minnesota.