FULL GROWN OKRA PLANT FULL

Watering late in the day can create undesirable conditions overnight. It’s best to water in the morning so any water on leaves will evaporate during the day. If it hasn’t rained all week or has only rained very lightly, apply supplemental water - but no more than an inch of water in a week between rain and irrigation.Īlways water under the foliage, right at ground level, to avoid getting the leaves and pods wet, as wet leaves invite disease. Okra has low water needs and doesn’t like wet feet, so only apply water during a dry spell. Most okra varieties have green pods but there are red-podded varieties as well. It is open-pollinated with green, 5-inch-long ribbed pods. Simpson is an okra variety that matures in 50 days from transplanting. Red Velvet grows 4 to 5 feet tall with pods that are slightly ribbed and best enjoyed when 3 to 6 inches long. It has five-ridged meaty pods on compact plants. Jambalaya is a green hybrid okra that thrives in shorter growing seasons, maturing in 50 days from transplanting.

It’s the gold standard for “painless picking.” These are better for the South, since they take 60 days to mature from transplanting. The pink-tinted flowers are also edible.Ĭlemson Spineless is an open-pollinated variety with light green pods that have between five and eight points, and cream-colored edible flowers. It matures in 51 days from transplanting. This variety is disease resistant and highly productive.Ĭarmine Splendor is a hybrid with deep red five-pointed pods that fade to light red or pink when allowed to grow larger. The plants mature in 50 to 55 days of transplanting.Ĭandle Fire is a hybrid okra with smooth, round red pods that mature in just 30 days from transplanting. It is high yielding and matures early, making it a great choice for cooler climates. The pods are ready to pick when 3 inches long.Ĭajun Delight is a green-podded hybrid variety that was an All-American Selections winner. This variety matures within 55 to 60 days of transplanting.

In the South, long-season varieties will get the best results.īurgundy is an All-America Selection winner that grows 3 to 5 feet tall with red pods that can grow 6 to 8 inches long. In the North, it’s wise to choose varieties that are intended for a short growing season.

FULL GROWN OKRA PLANT FULL

Okra requires full sun and will grow best in soil with a pH that is close to neutral.Īll varieties of okra - also known as okro, ochro and ladies’ fingers - are the same species, Abelmoschus esculentus. It also has the benefit of creating a barrier between the plant foliage and pathogens in the soil Mulch will retain moisture between waterings and will keep the soil warm on cool nights. Water immediately upon planting and cover the ground with a layer of two to three inches of organic mulch. If a cool night is coming, cover the crop with floating row cover during the day to retain heat.īe extra careful while placing seedlings in the ground. Once planted, okra prefers the temperature to be over 60º consistently. Northern growers can raise the soil temperature by laying black plastic over the planting location a month before planting out the seedlings. Okra seedlings enjoy a soil temperature that is at least 70º. The test results will give you an idea of what soil amendments to add, if any. To check the soil’s pH and fertility, get an inexpensive soil test.

Okra also has moderate nutrient needs, so don’t go overboard on fertilizer. Okra requires full sun and will grow best in soil with a pH that is close to neutral, which is 7.0, so anything from 6.0 to 8.0 will work. Whether planting seeds, store-bought seedlings or home-grown seedlings, space them 12 inches apart in soil that is well-draining and amended with lots of compost or organic matter. In southern climates, okra may be direct sown after the last possible frost date.

By the end of this period the plants will be ready to receive a full day of direct sun. ” Put seedlings out for a short time on the first day - a half hour - and increase the time spent outdoors each day for a week to 10 days. Also, keep the seedlings under a grow light for eight hours a day so the plants don’t stretch out as they reach for light.īefore okra seedlings are planted outdoors, they should be gradually introduced to the sun in a process known as “ hardening off. Ensure the seed starting mix is warm enough by using a seedling heat mat with a thermostat. In soil that is between 70º and 95º Fahrenheit, the seeds should germinate in 5 to 14 days. Soak the seeds overnight in warm water to hasten germination then plant the seeds three-quarters of an inch deep in sterile seed starting mix. Okra can be started from seed indoors four to six weeks between the last possible frost date. Although it grows over a wide range - from zone 4 to 11 - don’t sow seeds outdoors or plant out seedlings until all risk of spring frost has passed. Okra is related to hibiscus but produces large edible pods as well as flowers.

Full grown okra plant