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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29 Apr 14, steven molemi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Please I need Okra for my diabetic problem and medication is no long responding to the body please live in Johannesburg region where can I find Okra?
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24 Apr 18, Rast (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi.. You can get Okra from fruit and vegetables shops around jhb.. I get mine from Soweto diepkloof square Mall. It's good for diabetes.. And many other stuff.. Try it
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03 Mar 14, aruna (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hi Loraine, You can buy them from any pick n pay, or Builders seed section. very easily available.
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11 Feb 14, chris (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Loraine Visit the livingseeds.co.za website. Go to vegetable tab, then to unusual vegetable and their you will find okra seed. Regards Chris
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28 Jan 14, Trish (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where do you find Okra in South Africa?
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22 Nov 13, Suzanne (USA - Zone 5a climate)
If we leave the okra we grew this year with several pods still on it will the seeds fall off and we'll have new plants in the spring?
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08 Oct 13, Rirhandzu (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What type of fertilizer would you recommend for Okra? Secondly, what are pests associated with Okra and how can one control them? Kind regards RIRHANDZU
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21 Jan 14, Masana (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I use the organic fertilizer with Gypsum lime and the normal manure - i find Okra responds well to it. It grows stunted in other fertilizers i have tried in the past. Stink bugs and bollworms are common pests for Okra. I also use the organic pest control for these that i buy at Builder's Express.
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11 Sep 13, Rod (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I would like to try Okra as I am a type 2 diabetic and have heard it can really help, I live in Perth, is there any where I can buy the seeds or plants. Many thanks
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11 Mar 14, faina dobrenko (Australia - temperate climate)
eBay. I also just bought seedlings from Bunnings.
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Showing 251 - 260 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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