Okra is a southerly cooking staple fibre for traditional formula like gumbo and boiled Hibiscus esculentus and tomato plant . However , in late years , it has grow in popularity throughout other US regions . In this article , instruct how to plant gumbo and keep it thrive in your garden throughout the growing season .
If you are n’t intimate with this unusual and tasty vegetable , okra is part of the mallow works family . Abelmoschus esculentus is the botanical name for okra , and it ’s relate to cotton plant , hibiscus , and althaea . Native to Africa , okra is grown as an yearly for its eatable seed pods in most parts of North America .
Temperature is the most critical factor when planting lady’s-finger . Due to their tropical origination , okra plants require warm weather to produce those savory seeded player pods , with daytime temperatures above 70 level F and night above 55 degrees F. This is what gain okra so well - accommodate to southerly mood . If you follow these all-important gardening steer , it ’s possible to grow okra in cooler regions , too .
Handy Tips and Tricks for Planting Okra
acquire how to germinate seeds , how far aside to plant Hibiscus esculentus , and when these yummy cod are ready to glean . by fromharvesting okraand fix the okra pod , these plants bring an appealing aesthetic to the garden with their beautiful hibiscus - comparable flowers . look on the variety , okra blooms can be white , yellow , or pinkish .
In accession to its warm - weather needs , Abelmoschus esculentus must turn in full sun , which means six or more hours of unmediated sun each day . If status are too nerveless and shadowed , even for a short period , okra works may not produce their come pods .
They ’re also extremely cold - sensitive and tend to suffer if temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit . Okra has a comparatively brusque grow time of year . count on the cultivar , okra pods are ready to harvest after about 50 - 60 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Other than their spark and temperature sensitiveness , okra plant life are relatively flexible touch their growing environment . They ’re tolerant of poor soils and juiceless conditions and boom in a wide range of soil pH levels .
However , okra acquire right in well - drain soil rich in constituent matter , with about an in of water per week . Apply a mulch layer around the fundament of the plant life to concord wet , insulate the ground , and minimise weed growth .
Outside of the South , gumbo is n’t commonly available in most supermarkets . Also , it ’s always fun to adjudicate new and exciting vegetable varieties in your garden . Here are a few ideal gumbo cultivars for home plate garden .
How to Plant Okra from Seeds
The serious path to plant okra seed depends on which USDA growing zone you live in . no matter , it ’s critical to warm the soil by top - dressing with a dark - colored mulch , organic compost , or a tabloid of fateful plastic a week or two before implant okra seeds .
The optimal soil temperature for planting Abelmoschus esculentus is 65 - 70 degrees F. Sow seed a half - inch to an inch deeply in damp soil that you ’ve amended with organic compost .
On modal , Abelmoschus esculentus seeds germinate in seven to ten days . To accelerate up germination , soak the come in water system overnight to recrudesce down their protective outer coating .
If you ’re starting seeded player indoors , await until the territory has warm enough before transplant the seedling outdoors . Theway to grow okra in containersincludes hardening them off before transplanting . impart them out in the elements for increasingly longer period over a week or two .
Okra plants are heavy feeders , so fertilize them every three or four weeks throughout the season . practice anorganic okra flora fertilizerand apply according to the instructions on the merchandise recording label .
When to Plant Okra
In cool climates , it ’s helpful to get a point jump on the growing season by imbed gumbo seeds indoors three or four weeks before your area ’s last frost date .
When to institute okrastarts with inseminate seed in a seedling tray , peat mickle , or a cardboard egg carton and restrain them on a cheery windowsill until the last risk of frost passes .
If you live in a fond mood , sow in seeds anytime the soil is warmer than 65 degrees F and nighttime air temperature do n’t drop below 55 degrees F. Cover the tender seedling with a cold frame or row covers in parky weather .
How Far Apart to Plant Okra
You may be wondering how far apart to plant okra . Depending on which cultivar you ’re develop , okra plant spacing should be one to two fundament . Refer to the plant ’s label or seed packet for variety - specific recommendations .
When verbatim - sow seeds , some nurseryman opt to implant okra seeds six to eight inches apart , then reduce out the weakest seedlings once they ’ve grown three or four inches tall . This style , you ’ll be able to select the hefty plants to grow to maturity .
Harvesting and Storing Okra
About two months after implant okra seeds , the plants begin bloom . The seminal fluid pods form three or four days later . The flowers only overt for one day , so associate institute with redolent herbaceous plant and bloom to attract pollinators is beneficial .
For the best flavor and texture , harvest lady’s-finger pod when they ’re two to four inch long . If they stick on the plant too long , they turn bitter and stringy . sure gumbo varieties produce cum pods that stay cranky at larger sizes .
For optimum production , glean Abelmoschus esculentus pods every other 24-hour interval . Use a sterile , sharp tongue or pruning shears and make out the seedpod just above their caps .
Many type of gumbo have tiny spinal column that irritate gardener ’ hide . Unless you ’re growing wishy-washy okra variety , be sure to wear out gloves and longsighted sleeve when harvesting . The spines resolve during the cooking physical process .
Refrigerate unwashed lady’s-finger pods in the crisper draftsman for up to five days . For more extended depot , freeze or can them . Use frozen okra within nine calendar month .
Solutions for Common Pest and Disease Issues
Stressed works are far more susceptible to attacks from worm and pathogens . Your best protection for the plants is keeping them affectionate enough and supply copious light , nutrient , and water . apply fellow traveler planting for vegetables to take advantage of other plants ’ beneficial property . Okra is a greatcompanion plant for capsicum pepper plant , just as it is for lettuce .
Some of the most trite insects that fertilize on Hibiscus esculentus plants include aphids , corn earworms , flea beetles , foetor bugs , and root - air mile nematodes . These pests damage crops by fertilize on leaves , bloom , seed seedpod , or root word .
The bestway to grow okrais to cover tender seedling with row cover to prevent louse from laying orchis on them . At the first foretoken of an infestation , quickly spray all parts of the flora with an constitutive insect powder like horticultural oil or neem oil for okra plants . What to plant with okraincludes Gallic marigold . They serve as a trap harvest to reduce root word knot nematode population .
The most prevalent diseases for Hibiscus esculentus crop are verticillium and fusarium wilts , do by dirt - borne fungi . These fungal diseases may persist in the dirt for many years .
Unfortunately , there is no known remedy while the plants are mature . Be certain to purchase qualified disease - free seed and practice even crop rotation to prevent pathogen from building up in your soil .
solarisation is an effectual room to bolt down fusarium and verticillium fungi . Remove the affected industrial plant and dispose of them in an outdoor garbage container .
Do not compost the plant material , as that could spread out the fungi to your compost . Cover the stain with a magnanimous mainsheet of black plastic and pass on it for several week during warm atmospheric condition . The top six inches of soil stir up up enough to kill the fungus .
If you ’ve never try planting okra before , why not give it a try ? The flavorful pods are an first-class gain to soup , stews , and side dishes . The leaves also make a tasty plus to fresh salads .
While gumbo plant are extremely temperature and easy - sensitive , they can endure miserable grime weather condition and ironical tour well than some other crops .
If you found these gardening tip utile , please share this article about how to implant gumbo with your fellow greenish thumbs on Facebook and Pinterest .
