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

14 Sep 13, Terry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can buy a variety of Okra seed from Eden Seed I love growing Okra - definitely soak in warm water before planting seeds.
12 Sep 13, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)
I saw some in Bunnings today. Not cheap though. $7 for 6 seedlings all bunched together in one pot. Asian groceries sell packets of the seeds.
10 Jul 13, Bhat RB (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Okra or Lady's finger should be cooked/stir fried without water to get rid of gum content. Then it tastes nice. Before it is added to soups, the cut pieces of okra should be stir fried with small quantity of vegetable oil. This how the gum part is removed. Never use water to cook Okra.
24 Mar 13, Brenda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a crop of Ockra now starting to harvest and notice the leaves are all drooping and very sticky would like to know if I can prevent this.
14 Feb 13, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
I am going to try to grow okra now and I am hoping to take the plants indoors when the weather gets cold - I love eating okra and seem to hunt it down more in winter - hope it works
30 Nov 12, Dennis patuwairua (New Zealand - temperate climate)
where can I purchase okra plants in New Zealand
23 Dec 12, Lee (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Usually I find plants at local markets, otherwise have to start from seed. Yates, Kings and Egmont have okra seeds of various types. The last lot of plants I bought were from a grower in Rama Rama, which is considerably further south than here, but much flatter and further from the sea so their climate can be quite dry and hot. I've never seen okra sold as plants or seedlings at generic garden centres. This may be because I live in urban Auckland and the weather is borderline for growing okra - first sign of coldness and they halt and sometimes never start growing again. Humid conditions can also attract powdery mildew here.
22 Oct 12, Gary (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I live in New Orleans louisiana, united states. I grew about 56 plants this year and enjoyed them very much... A wonderful way to cook them is to stir fry them. All you do is wash them, then cut them onto rings put in a bowl and add italian bread crumbs and salt and pepper and mix. Then take a frying pan and add butter. When the butter is hot add the okra.. cook and stir occasionally til they are crisp.. very good taste.
13 Oct 12, Heywood (Australia - temperate climate)
does anyone know if black (swamp) wallabies, satin bowerbirds or sulphur-crested cockatoos attack okra ?
29 Dec 12, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
probably, YUM
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