cajun delight okra plant

What is the best okra to plant?

Here are thirteen top varieties with info on where to buy seeds, so you can get started on this year's gardening.

Cow Horn. ...
Emerald. ...
Go Big. ...
Hill Country Red. ...
Louisiana Green Velvet. ...
Perkins Long Pod. ...
Red Velvet. ...
Silver Queen. 'Silver Queen' is a southern belle who loves the heat of summer, and isn't tolerant of cold weather.

What is the best month to plant okra?

For the best yields, plant okra in the spring 2 to 3 weeks after all danger of frost has passed. For a good fall crop, plant at least 3 months before the first fall frost.

How many okra will one plant produce?

How much okra can you get from one plant? If your okra plants have ideal conditions, they can produce 20 – 30+ pods per plant. In a warmer hardiness zone such as zone 9b, you will have a longer growing season, into the fall or longer.

Does okra plants come back every year?

When planting okra in more temperate climates, this perennial plant becomes an annual and must be replanted each year. To plant okra it is best to soak the seeds overnight to improve germination.

What can you not plant near okra?

Okra should not be planted in soil previously utilized to grow vine crops such as sweet potatoes and squash as these crops tend to increase nematode population in soil. Nematodes feast on young okra roots, causing wilt and galls on the roots, which diminishes fruit yield.

Can okra be grown in pots?

You can grow any variety of okra in a container, but dwarf varieties are better suited to container gardening than other okra plant types. ... Due to its taproot, okra will not transplant well, so it's best to plant seeds into your containers directly. Sow two or three okra seeds one half to one inch deep into each pot.

Does okra need full sun?

Okra will grow in many soil types, so mulch and fertilize as needed. Once the plants start to grow, thin them so they are spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. Okra thrives in the full, hot sun. Regular watering is needed and is particularly critical during flowering and pod development.

How often should I water okra?

Keep the plants well watered throughout the summer months; 1 inch of water per week is ideal, but use more if you are in a hot, arid region. After the first harvest, remove the lower leaves to help speed up production.

How do you care for an okra plant?

Care and Watering

An inch of water a week is optimum. Plants that grow on little water will produce tough pods and may be prone to afternoon wilt. If soil is well conditioned, okra will need only light side dressings of compost during the season for best results. Foliar sprays are particularly effective.

Do okra plants keep producing?

Buds along the main stem then grow and produce a late crop. Okra is a “cut-and-come-again” vegetable. Keep cutting the pods every day or two, and they will keep on coming. Get gardening info on the go with our free app, HOMEGROWN with Bonnie Plants.

Why is my okra flowering?

Okra flowers usually bloom for less than a day before dropping off the plant, leaving behind a small green nub that will form into the okra pod and be ready to harvest in just a few days. ... As long as the pods are developing, the flowers have been pollinated and all is as it should be.

How long does okra take to cook?

Place okra in a saucepan; add enough water to cover the okra and salt to taste; bring the water to boil. Cover the pan and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until the okra is tender. Drain well and, if desired, toss with a little butter.

How do I save okra seeds to plant next year?

Since no fleshy vegetable matter clings to the seeds, you don't need to wash them. Instead, dry the seeds in the open air for a few days, then store them in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Although some okra seeds can remain viable for up to four years, many do not.

How do you keep okra plants short?

Cut away the main stem of the okra plant with pruning shears to its desired height. Remove any of the plant's fast-growing lateral stems with the pruning shears to control its spread.

Is Epsom salt good for okra plants?

Some people add Epsom salt for okra, but this is not universally recommended. Epsom salts are made out of sulfur and magnesium, two ingredients from which okra can benefit. However, care needs to be taken when it comes to applying Epsom salt for okra, since it can easily kill okra plants when overapplied.

Are coffee grounds good for okra plants?

Coffee grounds are a suitable organic amendment for growing okra when used directly on the soil or in composted materials. Coffee ground help improve soil structure, or tilth, and augment soil nutrient density when used in combination with other organic amendments.

Can you plant okra and beans together?

Plant a variety of spring crops in the same rows as your okra. ... Peppers repel cabbage worms, which love to feed on young okra foliage. Finally, tomatoes, peppers, beans, and other vegetables are a great food source for stink bugs. Planting okra near these garden crops draws these pests away from your other crops.

Why are ants attracted to okra?

Many small bugs are attracted to the large amounts of oil that okra contains. Growers used to think that ants were harmless to okra productions, but fire ants feed on the base of the okra bloom before it can begin to develop.

Can okra and tomatoes grow together?

Another plant you can use alongside your okra plants is a tomato plant. Tomatoes can repel stink bugs, and this is particularly useful when planted near okra. You can also grow plants that may attract certain pests to other areas of the garden, away from your okra or other prized plants.

How many okra are in a 5 gallon bucket?

3 plants in a 5 gallon bucket would be pushing it in my opinion. Visit Fusion_power's homepage! I grew Clemson Okra in 5 gallon pots for the first time this year... great success.

Why are my okra plants not producing?

Lack of water or nutrient imbalance.

Non-blooming okra may be suffering from a lack of water. Okra is more drought tolerant than many garden plants, but watering it will keep it healthier and may make it more productive. Also, okra prefers fertilizers that are higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.