Your comments and tips

24 Aug 10, Ray Kumar (Australia - temperate climate)

Okra grows well but beware of Curl Grubs lost half my plants approx (2 months old) to them before i realised what was happening! Treated the soil and the remaining plants gave abundunt fruit.

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24 May 10, Anita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Can I keep my okra plants in the vege patch for more than one season? Can they be pruned back and take a rest until next spring when they could releaf? Being related to hibiscus I thought this may be feasible. Many thanks for feedback.

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27 May 10, Jean (Australia - tropical climate)

If it's warm enough okra can be grown as a perennial and will grow year after year. You just need to pick all the pods so it doesn't give up producing. You can cut them back to about 30cm and give them a good feed every so often. They'll grow into a sort of shrub.

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28 May 10, anita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Thank you for this information, Jean. It certainly helps. Do you know if the same can be done with Rosellas - also being related to hibiscus as you will know. cheers

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13 Jun 10, Andrea (Australia - tropical climate)

As no one else has replied, I will give it a shot. I haven't actually grown rosellas but my mother did when i was a child. It was grown as a bush like any other fruit tree as i recall , ie it was just left there to produce. It may have been pruned a little but i don't recall it looking like a pruned hedge ever.

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08 Apr 10, Raji (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Okra seeds needs warm soil to germinate. Once it is established you can harvest until May. Easy recipe: wash dry cut the top off. Boil with sliced onion, split green chillies, coconut milk, curry leaves and salt. Do not put the spoon in the pan. Shake the pan instead if you want everything to mix well. after 10-15 minutes remove from stove and add lime juice. Enjoy.

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03 Apr 10, Raelene (Australia - temperate climate)

Have tried for past three years to grow okra, with no success. Have asked many people, and no -one knows what it is or how to grow. Love it in stews and soups. This site has helped, but now have to wait until next spring/summer to try again. I am in southern victoria.

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02 Dec 10, Sam (Australia - arid climate)

I have heard of using black plastic as mulch, or no mulch, to help warm up the soil for Tomatoes. (The dark colours absorb more heat, whereas straw mulch reflects the sun's heat away). Then you mulch later on when the weather warms up. Maybe that will help with your Okra. Even 20C is very warm, for soil. Maybe you need to plant it a little later or in better sun?

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09 Oct 10, Dana (Australia - temperate climate)

Okra needs really warm weather and plenty of sun. Southern Victoria may be too cold for it to succeed. You could try starting the seeds early and planting in the hottest spot in your garden.

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24 Mar 10, Kathie (Australia - tropical climate)

Simple quick recipe - Wash the outside and dry with a paper towel. (If they are wet they seem to get extra gooey.) Fry up some bacon, then add sliced okra and fry further. I did try them deep fried in crumbs but that was in the southern states of America!

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