An Ipswich plant breeder says it has come up with a new double-cropping plant following on from the success of its ‘Tomtato’, a grafted plant which produces potatoes and tomatoes.
Thompson & Morgan’s ‘Egg & Chips’ plant has been bred to produce aubergines, also known as egg plants in the US, and potatoes.
The development of the novelty plant, which will be despatched in April to those ordering from a limited stock, was kept tightly under wraps before its launch, the seed firm said.
The grafting process makes it easier than ever before to grow quality aubergines in the UK climate, it added.
“The hardy, vigorous potato plant supports the more delicate aubergine far better than its own root system can in British soil, enabling optimum fruit production. You won’t even need a greenhouse to grow Egg & Chips – a sunny, sheltered spot in the garden will produce great results,” it said.
New product development manager Michael Perry said: “It’s been hard keeping quiet about this amazing plant. I’ve had to bite my tongue for the past year. Egg & Chips is a real innovation. For seasoned veg growers this is a really novel development. For those without the luxury of an allotment or large vegetable patch it makes the most of available space in the garden.”
Above ground, growers will harvest an average of three to four large aubergines, while below ground, the potato crop can be up to 2kg, the firm said.
The aubergine variety chosen for the grafting process is a modern strain that has had the bitterness bred out of it, which means it can be picked, chopped and cooked without the need for soaking.
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