Did you know that okra is actually a fruit? Growing okra is surprisingly easy and a great addition to your kitchen. We enjoy okra or the lady's finger in many ways: raw, cooked, roasted or pickled. Although the okra pods look quite similar to other green vegetables, they contain seeds that they definitely classify as fruit.
It may not have the sweetness of an apple, but Okra is sure to have many fans around the world. If you like superfoods, okra is one of the best foods you can enjoy. Enjoy a good break from kale and spinach and season your salads with delicious raw okra.
Lady finger plant has a long history. It was cultivated during the ancient Egyptian era, which can be traced back to the 12th century BC. Okra seeds can be roasted and are often used as a coffee substitute. In the south it is an essential part of a good Cajun cuisine.
We have a wealth of information about this Mediterranean staple. Read on to find out more about this fruit and how to grow it in your garden!
Good products for growing okra:
Brief instructions on care
By growing okra, you always have a source for this Mediterranean staple! Source: Alcide OTA
| Common Name (s) | Okra, ochro, women's fingers |
| Scientific name | Abelmoschus esculentus |
| Days to harvest | 48-75 days to maturity, pods form quickly, which are harvested every 1-2 days |
| light | Full sun |
| Water: | 1 "per week, more in hot weather |
| ground | Well-drained sand-clay mixture, rich |
| fertilizer | Side dress as described below |
| Pests | Aphids, whiteflies, corn earworm, stink bug, root knot nematode |
| Diseases | Anthracnose, rust, mildew, fusarium root or stem rot |
All about Okra
The okra bud is very beautiful even before it blooms. Source: agrilifetoday
Okra is known under the botanical name Abelmoschus esculentus. In many countries okra is sometimes referred to as an ochro or women's finger. Okra pods are long, slender, tapered and bent at the end, just like a lady's actual finger.
This species is believed to be native to Ethiopia. Okra's largest production is currently in India and Nigeria. In addition, it is widespread in Southeast Asia, Pakistan, and the Middle East in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Okra is also widely grown in Sudan, Benin, Cameroon and Mexico.
Okra is an annual plant that is naturally herbaceous. It is mainly grown for its edible okra pods. Usually it grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet and can be a great addition to any garden.
It can be grown directly in garden beds or in pots. Unlike vine plants, okra has upright stems that grow out like a tall shrub. The stems are mostly hairless or bristly with unique leaves. Its beautiful leaves are heart-shaped and grow as long as 4-8 inches. Each sheet has 5-7 lobes.
The okra plant can grow 4 to 6 feet tall and produces vibrant okra flowers with yellow to white petals. Okra pods can reach 7 to 10 inches long and are long and taper towards the end of the flower. The pods have a mild, earthy taste, almost like an eggplant, and are colored green or red.
This shrub-like species has a single deep taproot. The taproot provides more nutrients than the side secondary roots, although these fine hairy secondary roots are useful for moisture absorption. A yearbook usually produces it heavily for its short lifespan of one or two seasons and then dies.
Okra ripens within 50 to 65 days after planting. It then carries seed pods for the next 10-12 weeks or even until frost. There are some popular okra strains, including Blondy, Clemson Spineless, Cajun Delight, Baby Bubba Hybrid and Burgundy.
Plant okra
Okra flowers are quite large and visually very appealing. Source: Awesome Joolie
But how do you maintain okra or encourage her to develop these lush pods? Let's talk about growing okra in your garden and how to get off to a good start.
When to plant okra
Based on the sowing, it can be done up to a month before warm weather. For most of the United States, this is spring to early summer. When you've had the first frost, you can start okra seeds right in the garden bed, which is usually ideal. Okra is not a fan of transplants because it often loses its delicate secondary roots.
While you may find seedlings starting, they are usually quite young to give you the best chance of a transplant. These should only get into the garden when the risk of frost is completely gone.
This difficult season, in which occasionally unexpected frost occurs, shouldn't prevent you from starting your seeds. If sown directly, you can grow okra under a cold frame or in a poly tunnel to provide extra warmth to protect your young plants.
Where to plant
Young okra plants need full sun conditions and do not work in areas with partial to full shade. Make sure you choose a location for your plants where they can get the light they need. They also need protection from strong winds as they can be easily damaged.
The distance should be 12 to 18 inches apart for optimal growth. After insertion, try to avoid damaging the fine secondary root system. Add an insert to get extra support when the plant is young as the root system grows around it.
Avoid planting okra on the same soil where tomatoes or eggplants were previously planted. They are susceptible to the same types of fungal attack and these fungi can live in the soil for years.
How to plant okra
Before sowing them, soak your okra seeds for at least 12 hours. This enables them to rehydrate in preparation for entry into the soil. Place okra seeds half an inch deep in a high quality garden soil mix and gently cover them.
If you want to grow okra in containers, it is best to prepare the pot size you need for your full size plants and sow your seeds directly into them. Sow 2-3 seeds half an inch deep in the pot. Once they show up, pick the healthiest plant to keep and pinch off the weaker two. It is important to know how to grow okra in pots when your sunlight moves during the day as you can move around your plant to follow the sunlight this way.
Warm weather is necessary for good germination. Your plants must be at least 12 to 18 inches apart for the air to flow around the plant, but heat may be more important for development. Floating row covers over your garden help keep pests at bay.
No matter where you grow them, remember that they form a very deep taproot. Make sure there is nothing nicer than developing underground landscaping that can block root development!
maintenance
Okra should be harvested when the pods are still quite small. Source: Joi
Still confused about how to grow okra? Don't worry, we'll discuss more details shortly. So let's break down all the conditions you need to know to make sure you have a good overview of how to grow okra pods for harvest!
Sun and temperature
Okra is a total sun worshiper. Warm temperatures, which are usually above 30 ° C during the day, are required for optimal plant development and for these tasty pods.
While it tolerates temperatures up to the 50s and 60s at night, it is almost tropical in its desire for warm conditions! It's not frost-tolerant at all, but it's important to create frost-free conditions at all times so you don't end up with dead okra.
Full sun is an absolute necessity. It takes at least 8 hours to ensure the health of your okra.
Water & moisture
Especially during the heat of summer, your okra will need water to survive. Most of the time, an inch of water a week is fine, but in extremely warm conditions, you should water a little more often. Try watering early in the morning to make sure any leaves you accidentally hit dry completely in the sun.
The okra plant would not have become the staple food of the south if it were not moisture-tolerant. These plants don't mind if it's a bit swampy! Even so, it's still important to water them at their base and not water the leaves. This reduces the likelihood of mold on the leaf surfaces. Soaking tubing can really help with watering.
Heavy mulch at the base of the plant. Not only does this help keep moisture in the soil, 3-4 inches of mulch also reduce weed growth.
ground
A fertile and well-drained sand-clay soil mix is ideal. This loose and rich soil enables deep penetration of tap roots as well as the spreading of fine secondary roots.
Mix in vegetable compost or composted cow manure or horse manure to add extra richness to your soil before planting. This provides a good starter feed for your plant as it initially develops.
Okra likes a little acidity in its soil, but it can take something more neutral. Aim for a pH range between 5.5 and 7.0 in your soil to achieve good growth. If you are unsure about the pH of your soil, take a good pH test kit with you to check the area.
Fertilize
Cover your plant with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when it reaches a height of about 20 cm, and again a few weeks later. This promotes good plant development. If it contains a lot of compost, you may be able to skip this early fertilization phase.
Once the plants have reached 4 feet in height, brush the plants with a balanced, slow-release 10-10-10 organic fertilizer on the side. Afterwards, avoid giving them too much good, because too much fertilizer will produce a lot of leaves and few pods!
clipping
Plants with distant lower branches bloom and bear fruit quickly. Source: skvidal
Many classic cars from the south speak of "wheezing" their okra during the growing season. This ancient technique used a long switch to strike along the stem of the okra, pushing off the lower branches and putting strain on them. The idea behind the technology was that emphasizing the okra would produce more.
Oddly enough, this old method works, but you don't have to find the perfect wooden switch yet!
When your okra reaches a height of at least 3 to 4 feet, start breaking off lower growing side branches. This draws the okra's attention to the fruit development further up the stem. It also reduces the likelihood of fungal spores splashing on the lower leaves.
Wear long sleeves and gloves when trimming your okra. Many varieties have hairy spines along the stems that can cause skin irritation. While you don't need to use pruning shears to remove the side branches, you can do so if you'd like.
Propagation
Okra plants are mainly propagated by seeds, but cuttings can also be an effective method.
Soak the seeds for at least 12 hours to allow them to rehydrate. Sow seeds half an inch deep, 12-18 inches apart. Make sure you sow seeds after all the risk of frost has gone.
Fresh cuttings can also be used. You want a cut about 8 inches long from a very healthy plant. Strip the lower leaves and hold only a few at the top. Dip it in water, then in a powdered root hormone and put it in a damp potting soil. Keep the humidity around your young cuttings high, but caring for your cuttings is similar to other types of plants.
Harvest and store
Okra pods are a delicious vegetable that you can add to your product rotation. Source: NatalieMaynor
So now you know how many centimeters you are apart to plant your okra, what the soil type is and other important details. But how do you know when to harvest okra? Let's talk about it!
harvest
For most okra strains, harvest when the pods are 2 to 3 inches long. Use a sharp knife to cut through the stem just above the top of the sleeve. If it seems difficult to cut the stem, the pods may have turned woody. Do not peel the pods as this can damage your plants.
Wear long sleeves and sturdy gloves when harvesting to protect yourself from the spines of the plant. There are some types without a backbone, but most okra have spikes on the stems that can irritate your skin.
Harvest okra every other day to keep the plants productive.
storage
Okra pods can quickly bruise or rot after harvesting. It is therefore important that you process them quickly after harvesting. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to two days before they soften.
For longer storage, rinse your okra crop and pat it dry. Store in freezer bags after drying. You don't have to blanch or cut the okra before freezing, and it actually lasts longer!
Preserving okra with a pressure scanner is another option. As a low-acid plant, you must use a pressure scanner for safe processing.
Pods can also be fried and then dehydrated to get a crispy and delicious snack.
Troubleshooting
Some okra have a red color rather than a green pod. Source: Alcide OTA
Now that you know how to take care of it, let's talk about problems you may encounter. These will not ruin your crop if you respond quickly to fix the problem!
Growing problems
One of the most common growing problems for okra is Flowers and buds hang down or fall off before the fruit set. This is almost always caused by a temperature problem. Temperatures above 95 or below 55 degrees Fahrenheit cause this. In addition, pollination is also reduced during these temperatures, which also means that plants do not produce. Avoid temperature fluctuations if possible and protect your plants under extreme loads.
If Pods are woody and toughThey were left on plants for too long. Try to harvest when your pods are 2-3 inches long.
Pests
Okra is susceptible to a number of pests, some of which are easier to control than others.
Both Aphids and White flies suck juice from okra leaves. The treatment of these two pests is relatively simple. A spray of neem oil should remove the majority, but if an infestation persists, an organic pyrethrin spray can be used.
The Corn catchy tune is a hairy little caterpillar that defoliates your plants quickly. Bacillus thurigiensis sprays effectively remove them, as do organic spinosad sprays.
Southern green stench is common in the south. These suck juice directly from the okra pods, causing them to be twisted or deformed. Insecticidal soap is effective on these.
Finally, that Root node nematode is a pest that causes a condition called a root node or root node. Combat them by using useful nematodes in your garden. The useful nematodes attack the root-damaging and eliminate them.
Diseases
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes black, water-soaked spots on the leaves and can also cause stem damage. Copper fungicide sprays are usually effective against these and other leaf spot diseases. Remove damaged leaves before spraying.
rust is also treatable with copper fungicide. Black or rust-colored pustules or blisters are most common in moist regions on leaf or stem surfaces. Remove any damaged foliage before spraying it with the fungicide to prevent it from spreading further.
mildew is common in damp weather, especially when the leaves have become damp. Neem oil effectively keeps this problem at bay. If it persists, apply a bio-based or copper-based fungicide.
In the end, Fusarium root rot or stem rot is a soil-borne disease that leads to plant shortening, root decay and severe yellowing or withering of the plant. Combating this disease can be complicated, but some forms of mycorrhizal effectively reduce the spread of the fusarium. Do not water plants.
frequently asked Questions
Q: How long does it take for Okra to grow?
A: Depending on the variety, it can take between 48 and 75 days for the okra to ripen. After that, it produces at least 10-12 weeks or until the weather conditions get too cold for it.
Q: Does Okra need a grid?
A: Not necessarily. Okra plants do not need a grid because they tend to grow in the form of tall shrubs, not in vine plants like zucchini or beans. A stake can be used to support the main trunk somewhat.
Q: Does Okra come back every year?
A: Okra is a yearbook and should not come back on its own. If a pod has spilled seeds on the ground, the seeds can germinate in the garden bed. Harvesting pods when ripe prevents the seeds from accidentally falling.
The green thumbs behind this article:
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener
