Eggplant and row covers

TomNJ · June 18, 2020

After suffering extensive flea beetle damage to my eggplant in previous years I am growing them under a row cover this year. So far so good, but I don't know if I need to remove the row cover for pollination.

I have read that eggplant are self pollinating like tomatoes, but I have also read that row covers should be removed when flowering starts in order to facilitate pollinating insects. This seems to be a contradiction. Mine are beginning to flower now but I am afraid to remove the row cover out of fear of a flea beetle attack.

I understand flea beetles are an "early" spring pest. So when is the threat of flea beetles over? Is it essential to remove the row cover for pollination or can it be left on for the entire growing season?

June 18, 2020	#1
TomNJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Floyd VA Posts: 767	Eggplant and row covers After suffering extensive flea beetle damage to my eggplant in previous years I am growing them under a row cover this year. So far so good, but I don't know if I need to remove the row cover for pollination. I have read that eggplant are self pollinating like tomatoes, but I have also read that row covers should be removed when flowering starts in order to facilitate pollinating insects. This seems to be a contradiction. Mine are beginning to flower now but I am afraid to remove the row cover out of fear of a flea beetle attack. I understand flea beetles are an "early" spring pest. So when is the threat of flea beetles over? Is it essential to remove the row cover for pollination or can it be left on for the entire growing season?