how many varieties of okra are there

Okra is available in two varieties, green and red. Red okra carries the same flavor as the more popular green okra and differs only in color. When cooked, the red okra pods turn green.

What is the best okra variety?

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

Baby Bubba Hybrid. 'Baby Bubba' Hybrid seeds are available from Burpee in packages of 60. ...
Blondy. ...
Burgundy. ...
Cajun Delight. ...
Clemson Spineless. ...
Cow Horn. ...
Emerald. ...
Go Big.

What is the difference between red and green okra?

Generally speaking, okra pods are green and a staple of many a southern diet. ... In fact, there really isn't much difference between red okra and green okra other than the color. And when red okra is cooked, alas, it loses its red hue and the pods turn green.

What does spineless okra mean?

Clemson Spineless is a dark-green straight variety that has pointed pods and is without spines. Okra is a warm-season vegetable that thrives in the heat of summer.

What is purple okra?

Red, sometimes called magenta or purple okra, makes an unusual and fun addition to an ornamental garden. Plants with their red star-shaped pods poking through red stems and green leaves can be interposed in an ornamental bed when space in the summer vegetable garden is limited.

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 do you make okra produce more?

Using organic fertilizer will help boost pod production. Adding compost around the base of the plant mid-season will give it a boost so it keeps producing. Especially mid-way through the season, when the okra plants are 18″ – 24″ tall, they will benefit from nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer.

What are the side effects of eating okra?

Risks and precautions

Eating too much okra can adversely affect some people. Gastrointestinal problems: Okra contains fructans, which is a type of carbohydrate. Fructans can cause diarrhea, gas, cramping, and bloating in people with existing bowel problems. Kidney stones: Okra is high in oxalates.

What color should Okra be?

Harvest typically occurs 3 to 7 days after flowering. Okra should be harvested when the fruit is bright green, the pod is fleshy and seeds are small. After that period, the pod becomes pithy and tough, and the green color and mucilage content decrease.

Is Epsom salt good for okra?

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.

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.

How many okra plants do I need?

Because of the long growing season and hearty production, four or five plants usually produce enough okra for most families. More plants may be needed, though, to can or freeze okra for use during the winter. While old seed pods cannot be eaten, they are perfect for dried flower arrangements.

Should you top okra plants?

As okra plants age through the summer, they tend to top out and produce a declining number of pods. Market price for okra typically declines sharply as well. At this point in production, cutting back or topping your okra will allow plantings to reestablish themselves.

Are okra good for you?

Okra is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Okra is also a good source of: Magnesium.

Can you eat okra raw?

The entire okra plant is edible. ... Okra pods can even be eaten raw. The less cooked okra is, the better it is for you. It's high in fiber, folate, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C.

Is red okra natural?

When 'red burgundy' was bred by Leon Robbins at Clemson University in South Carolina, in 1983. It remains the most prevalent red variety. Their color comes from anthocyanins – a natural plant pigment. Red okra is sometimes called magenta or purple okra.

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.

What grows well with okra?

Because of okra's height, some of the best companion plants for okra include lettuce. The tall plant shades the greens from the hot sun. Another plant that can benefit from the shade of your okra is melons (which also have the added benefit of attracting pollinators to your plants).

Do 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.

Is Miracle Grow good for okra?

The main thing you can do to help is to keep the bed weed free and mulched as much as possible. A liquid feed of Miracle Gro when about 20 cm (8 inches) tall, followed by a repeat 2 weeks later will see the plants of to a good start.

Why is my okra not blooming?

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.

Why is my okra tough?

If they are too difficult to cut, they are too old and should be removed as they will rob the plant of the nutrients it needs to produce new pods. If the pods are tender, use a sharp knife to cut the stem cleanly just below the okra pod. ... Remember not to do this if you still plan on harvesting okra to eat.