Growing Okra, also Ladyfinger, gumbo

Abelmoschus esculentus : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 14 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine)

Your comments and tips

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04 Jun 15, Marilyn Coffen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Must okra be cooked or can it be eaten as a salad ingredient?
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12 Nov 15, jaxthegardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
it must be cooked....fried or cooked in a chutney
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12 Apr 15, James (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Tasmania and grow indoors. I picked up a variety called 'Louisiana 16's' from the American seed company Bakers Creek Seeds. They deal soley in Heirloom/Organic seeds. Louisiana 16's grow to 16" long (hence the name) and are still very tender. I think they cost me $5 and about the same in postage, I spent over $50 bucks on that site. Would Reccommend!
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08 Feb 15, Sandy (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I saw okra in checkers George york street
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26 Jan 15, Linda (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can i get fresh okra. East rand area
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18 Nov 14, Lyn Sharrock (Australia - temperate climate)
I would love some of the long seeds from liiz.tw also ,I have not seen the long okra
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10 Oct 14, liz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have some okra seeds from my friend and he told me this is a long variety. The okra are still nice and tender when they're 20 cm long. Send me a prepaid envelope and I can share these seeds. Liiiz.tw@gmail. com
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17 Feb 21, Ben (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Liz, I'm wondering if you still have the seeds for the long okra to share? I've been searching online for seeds of the long okra since Dec when I was given some fresh ones from a friend and was delighted that it tasted so good. Will send a prepaid envelope when I hear back from you. Thanks again
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18 Nov 14, Leeta (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
if you still have some seed available, can I please have your address so I can send you an envelope. Thank you.
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24 Oct 14, Anne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I have your address so I can send you a prepaid envelope for some seeds...I haven't had the long pods for 20 years or so and wld dearly love to grow some.Thank you.
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Showing 221 - 230 of 367 comments
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I had great success planting early crop of Okra in 2011. I use the Burgundy Okra which is somewhat cold tolerant (Eden Seeds). I soaked seeds in warm water for 2 hours and heated up the ground or seed tray prior to planting (clear plastic) and maintained greenhouse conditions with a portable cover (very easy low cost cover) = significant increase in propagation. I cropped and ate these for 2 months and followed up by planting green Star of David Okra. Same method produced great propagation results BUT I have a problem with these at harvest. I'm hoping someone has an answer. The Star of David sprouted the fattest Okra Ive ever seen. I thought Id managed to grow giant Okra yet no matter how short I picked them they remained too hard to eat - huge unusable crop - I only collected seeds. U guys got any answers? I will plant a late summer crop of Burgundy Okra that can survive longest into winter. Combining the use of cold tolerant and green Okra I hope to crop for 8 months a year.

- Silversurfer

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