Why Haven't My Eggplants Developed Well?

Did the leaves turn yellow at first and then brown?

Do the leaves have large holes in them?

Are the leaves yellow, curled and wilted?

Are the leaves stippled with yellow or bronzed?

Do the leaves have light-centered, gray to brown spots and the fruits pale, sunken spots?

Does the fruit have dry, brown marks on it?

Do the leaves have small holes in them?

Does the green fruits have large, chewed holes in them?

Lace bugs are flat, gray to brown insects with lacelike wings that feed on the undersides of leaves. They cause leaves to turn yellow, then brown and eventually die. Treat plants with a commercial pyrethrin spray or dust if the damage is severe. Prevent problems by covering plants with row cover until they blossom.

Large holes in eggplant leaves are caused by Blister beetles. Wear gloves to handpick them since these beetles secrete a substance that may cause blisters. Blister beetle larvae help control grasshoppers, so think twice before spraying to control them. Treat plants with a commercial pyrethrin spray or dust if the damage is severe.

Yellow, curled and wilted leaves on eggplants usually indicate aphids. These tiny insects vary in color, green, pink, black, gray to completely white. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap or neem oil should be used only with severe infestations.

Leaves stippled with yellow are caused by mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plants leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap.

Phomopsis blight is a fungal disease that causes these symptoms. Fruit spots enlarge and run together, affected flesh is discolored and may rot and shrivel. Spray plants with copper if symptoms are present and if the weather is wet or humid. Prevent problems by planting resistant cultivars like ‘Florida Beauty’ and ‘Florida Market’.

Colorado potato beetles cause these symptoms. Overwintering adults appear on young plants in spring: handpick beetles zealously to reduce subsequent generations. Squash any eggs you see as well. Spray plants with BTSD as soon as you see any larvae. Prevent problems by covering plants with row cover before beetles appear.

Small holes in eggplant leaves are caused by Flea beetles. These tiny, black, brown, or bronze beetles hop when disturbed. Larvae are small and white, feed mostly on the undersides of leaves. Prevent problems by covering young plants with row cover. Control severe infestations by spraying or dusting plants with pyrethrin.

The most likely cause for this condition is Hornworms. Handpick or spray plants with BTK to control them.

If the whole plant suddenly droops, from the bottom to the top, turning yellow, the most likely cause is a disease - Bacterial wilt. Destroy infected plants immediately. Prevent problems by controlling beetles, since they spread the disease.