Rossa Di Rotonda Meat Eggplant

15 Seeds

Rossa Di Rotonda, often called Rossa di Rotonda or Meat Eggplant, is a rare Italian heirloom variety originating from southern Italy. It produces round fruits that ripen from green to bright orange-red, resembling small tomatoes. The flesh is firm, meaty, creamy-white, and mildly sweet with very little bitterness, making it excellent for grilling, roasting, stuffing, baking, frying, and Mediterranean cuisine. It is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins B1, B6, C, potassium, manganese, and antioxidants such as nasunin. This warm-season crop grows very well in the Gulf when planted during the cooler growing season.

Best Planting Time

• August to November (recommended)
• January to February (inside greenhouses or protected growing areas)
• Avoid sowing during the hottest summer months.

Seed Preparation

• Soak seeds in lukewarm water (25–30°C) for 8–12 hours before sowing.
• No cold stratification is required.
• Optional: Soak seeds in seaweed extract or a seed-starting solution to improve germination and seedling vigor.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Coco peat
• 30% Compost
• 20% Garden soil
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 5.8–6.8

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds in seed trays or nursery pots.
• Plant seeds 0.5–1 cm deep.
• Cover lightly with fine soil.
• Keep the growing medium consistently moist until germination.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 24–30°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 22–32°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Young seedlings benefit from light afternoon shade during periods of extreme heat.

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist during germination.
• Once established, water deeply when the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Avoid prolonged waterlogging.

Germination Time

• 7–14 days

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings when they have:
  • 4–6 true leaves
  • Height of 15–20 cm
• Space plants:
  • 60–70 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 80–100 cm apart

Harvesting

• Harvest fruits 80–100 days after transplanting.
• Pick fruits when they develop a bright orange-red color, are firm, and have smooth, glossy skin.
• Harvest regularly to encourage continued fruit production.

Hydroponic Growing

• Performs very well in Dutch bucket, drip irrigation, and other hydroponic systems.
• Maintain nutrient solution:
  • pH: 5.8–6.5
  • EC: 2.0–3.0 mS/cm

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during the cooler months for the highest yields.
• Apply organic mulch to conserve moisture and cool the root zone.
• Fertilize every 2–3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, switching to a potassium-rich fertilizer during flowering and fruit development.
• Use stakes or cages to support plants carrying heavy fruits.
• Monitor for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and fruit borers.
• Rossa Di Rotonda grows exceptionally well in raised beds, home gardens, large containers, greenhouses, and hydroponic systems throughout the Gulf.