Solanum melongena
Origin: Ukraine
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~30
Germination tested 10/2025: 80%
Life cycle: Annual
A dark purple Ukrainian variety brought back to the States in 1993 by Seed Savers Exchange co-founder Kent Whealy. Developed by the Donetskaya Vegetable Experiment Station, it is known in Ukraine as 'Almaz. Fruits are roughly 7 to 9 inches long and 2-3 inches wide, with glossy skin, elongated and tapered shape, and pale green flesh with no bitter flavors. Upright, strong plants reach 2 feet tall and produce clusters of 4 to 6 fruits. This is a productive, vigorous variety well worth trying out. Ripens in just 70 days from transplanting.
Our seed comes from our friends Clint Freund and Kass McKinnon of Cultivating the Commons.
