varieties of okra in nigeria

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.

How many different types 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 Okra also known as?

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus, also called Hibiscus esculentus), also known as ladies' fingers, bhindi, bamia, or gumbo, is a flowering plant valued for its edible green seed pods (Figure 1.15).

Where is okra most popular?

Today okra is popular in Africa, the Middle East, Greece, Turkey, India, the Caribbean, South America and the Southern U.S. It is not a very common vegetable in most European countries, except for Greece and parts of Turkey.

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 fast does okra grow?

Okra reaches maturity in 50 to 65 days. The plants can produce for ten to 12 weeks. It grows and bears seed pods until frost, which quickly turns them black and kills them. Start harvesting a few days after the okra blooms fade.

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.

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.

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.

How is okra classified?

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) , also known as Abelmoschus bammia, is scientifically classified as Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Malvales Family: Malvaceae Genus: Abelmoschus Species: A. ... Okra belongs to the same plant family as hibiscus and cotton.

How did okra get its name?

Closely related to the cotton plant, okra seed pods are harvested when immature. The okra plant originated in the Near East and came to America with the slave trade. The name okra comes from the Gold Coast of Africa language twi, as "nkruman," and was gradually abridged to okra.

Why is okra called Lady Finger?

What I found was a bit of a let-down for me, to tell the truth: okra pods are long, slender, and elegantly shaped, just like a lady's finger, hence the name (Duh!).

Is okra fruit or vegetable?

Avocadoes, string beans, squash, eggplant, green pepper and okra are all technically fruits, Litt says. On the other hand, rhubarb is not a fruit.

Is okra from Africa?

While okra is grown widely in the South, it is not native to the United States. However, it is indigenous to many other parts of the World, including Western Africa and South East Asia. ... Scientists believe the cultivation of the okra plant began as early as 12th century BC in Ethiopia.

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.

What is the best fertilizer for okra?

Mix a complete fertilizer with the potting mixture, such as 10-10-10, or a high-nitrogen and high-phosphorous fertilizer, such as 20-20-10. Supplemental nitrogen prepares the okra plant for the long growing season, but too much nitrogen leads too excess foliage and lackluster pods.

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.

Does okra grow back every year?

Okra is a flowering plant that is grown as an annual in most regions, though the species (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a perennial plant in the dry tropical regions where it is native.

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.

Should you soak okra seeds before planting?

Soak Okra Seeds to Speed Up Germination

Okra is easy to grow but the seeds have a hard coat that can slow germination. To speed up the process, soak the seeds overnight in warm water before planting.