![]() If harvest tapers off and okra slows or ceases flower production, then gardeners should try ratooning spring-planted okra (usually around mid-July to mid-August). Ratooningĭuring the hottest and often driest parts of the summer, okra may slow down production. It is important to supply additional nitrogen late in the season at the time blooms are concentrated at the top of the plant. More applications of calcium nitrate may be needed later, depending on rainfall and how long okra is expected to produce. Sidedressing should occur at 3 to 4 weeks after planting and again at 6 to 8 weeks after planting. 5-0-0) per 1,000 square feet or 1 to 2 pounds per 100 feet of row. Okra should be sidedressed with 3 to 6 pounds of calcium nitrate (15. The use of additional nitrogen should be avoided on vigorous plantings until fruiting begins to manage plant growth and ensure pod production. The okra plant has a sensitive balance between vegetation (leaf production) and reproduction (pod production). If a soil test has not been taken, apply 25 to 50 pounds of 10-10-10 before planting or other fertilizer that would give between 2½ to 5 pounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium per 1,000 square feet. Information on soil testing is available in HGIC 1652, Soil Testing.įollow the results of a soil test to maintain a soil pH between 5. Burgundy (red okra variety but will turn green when cooked)Ī soil test is always the best method of determining the fertilization needs of the crop.Choppee (Clemson Heirloom Collection- clemson.Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension Recommended Cultivars This may help however, seedling death may still occur if the seed is planted in cold soil.Ĭlemson Spineless 80 okra produces dark green pods without spines.īarbara H. ![]() Many gardeners soak the seed in water before planting to improve germination. It is important that the soil be well-drained. The crop can be grown on all soil types, although sandy loam soils high in organic matter are the most desirable. If soil temperatures are less than 65 ☏, at a soil depth of 4 inches, gardeners should hold off on planting until soil temperatures are warmer. The optimum soil temperature for seed germination lies somewhere between 70 to 95 ☏, so gardeners will want to check the soil temperature at a depth of 4 inches before planting. When planting okra, gardeners want to ensure that the soil temperature is warm enough so that seeds germinate and begin to grow, as cool soils can lead to slow growth and seedling diseases. Okra grows best at temperatures between 75 and 90 ☏. Harvest them when they are under 3 inches (7.6 cm.).Millie Davenport, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension It only gets to just over 3 feet (.9 m.) tall and its pods are stubby. On the other end of the height spectrum, you’ll find the okra plant called Stubby. It takes three months for the 14-inch (36 cm.) pods to come to harvest. Other heirlooms include Cowhorn, growing to 8 feet (2.4 m.) tall. The purple leaves are attractive and the pods are ready for harvest in two months or so. It is from the Eastern Mediterranean this okra grows taller than the gardener tending it. One of the heritage types of okra is called Star of David. Heritage okra plant varieties are those that have been around a long time. They are reputed to be excellent for canning. The pods are 5 inches (13 cm.) long and ready to harvest in 50 days. Jambalaya okra is equally productive, but one of the more compact kinds of okra. The plant is very productive and gets to harvest in 65 days. It has tall, wine-red stems that match the veining in the leaves. One that is especially attractive is called Burgundy okra. Several other okra plant varieties are also popular in this country. The seeds for Clemson are fairly inexpensive and the plants are self-pollinating. Clemson Spineless plants grow to around 4 feet (1.2 m.) tall. The most popular of all the different okra plants is Clemson Spineless, one of the types of okra with very few spines on its pods and branches. You might not appreciate being called “spineless,” but it’s an attractive quality for okra plant varieties. Read on to learn about the different okra plants and tips on which kinds of okra might work well in your garden. While one variety dominates the okra seed sales, you may also enjoy experimenting with other types of okra. This member of the hibiscus family is a pretty plant, with showy purple and yellow blossoms that develop into tender pods. If you love gumbo, you may want to invite okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus) into your veggie garden.
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