Cut the pods from branches rather than tugging them to avoid disturbing the roots. Mature pods left on the plant signal it to stop producing. Okra is an ornamental edible (both okra dry and cooked okra) with large-lobed foliage that rounds as it ages, like all other members of the Malvaceae or Mallow. Picking green pods as soon as they are edible size will encourage continuous production. Use okra soon after harvest it does not store well. Pods left on the plant that grow longer will be more fibrous and less palatable. Pick pods when they are 2 to 3 inches (5-8cm) long. Okra matures 50 to 60 days after planting. Dwarf varieties can be planted closer together. Space okra 12 to 18 inches (30-45cm) apart. Okra planted after early peas will benefit from the nitrogen stored in the soil by the pea nodules. Turn the soil to a depth of 8 inches before planting and add lots of well-aged compost or well-rotted-manure. Plant okra in humus-rich, well-drained soil. Plant a variety of spring crops in the same rows as your okra. These cooler-weather crops do well interplanted in the shade of okra. Spring crops, like peas, make great companion plants for okra. Plant lettuce between the okra plants or behind a row of emerging seedlings. Okra grows best when average temperatures are between 70° and 85☏ (21-29☌). The tall okra plants shield the tender greens from the hot sun. Direct sow okra in the garden after the last frost in spring when the soil has warmed to 60☏ (16☌). Start okra seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before setting out plants. Once the first flowers have formed, feed weekly with high potassium fertiliser.Plant okra seedlings in the garden 3 to 4 weeks after the last frost in spring. Plants can grow tall (90–120cm/3–4ft), so provide sturdy canes for support. PInch out the shoot tips to encourage bushiness. Water regularly using tepid water, to keep the compost moist. Plants in containers need watering more frequently – check them twice daily during warm weather. They may also be grown in containers on a warm, sunny, sheltered patio, but need a hot summer to crop well.įrom late May to early June, when the young plants are 10–15cm (4–6in) tall, transplant them into 23–25cm (9–10in) pots, growing bags or a greenhouse border. In the UK, okra plants are best grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel. Make sure the night temperature stays above 16☌ (60☏).įour or five plants should produce enough okra for most families. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transfer into 9cm (3½in) pots of multi-purpose compost. Once seedlings appear, remove the covering and place in good light and keep warm. An airing cupboard is ideal for germination. Sow from March to April in small pots or seedtrays, either in a propagator or covered with a clear polythene bag, and keep above 16☌ (60☏). Soak the seeds for two hours in warm water before sowing. Malvern Autumn Show - 23–25 September 2022.RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show - 6–11 September 2022.RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show - 19–21 August 2022.RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show - 3–7 August 2022.RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - 20–24 July 2022.RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 4–9 July 2022.RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show - 23–26 June 2022.RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show - 9–29 April 2022.All affected plants will need to be destroyed. Like plants with fusarium wilt, there is no means of treating a sick okra seedling. RHS Garden Wisley Spring and Orchid Show - 25–27 March 2022 Plants afflicted with this blight will wilt and present yellowing leaves and a darkened discolored stem with a white fungal growth around its base near the soil line.
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