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Summary
Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus)is a belovedwarm - time of year cropknown for its beautifulflowersand deliciouspodsthat you could prepare in various ways , including frying , stewing , and pickling . Thishibiscusrelative is a great addition to summer gardens . While okra can be grown as a perennial in regions that do n’t see frost ( in zones 10 and 11 ) , it is more commonly grown as an yearly . There are many okra diversity , but they all require like conditions to reach their full potential .
How to Grow Okra
Do not overfertilize gumbo , as unreasonable atomic number 7 can go to leafage outgrowth at the disbursement of the heyday and pods . ( You shoulddo a stain testto see if fertilizer is necessary . ) The soil’spH can be adjustedusing atomic number 16 orlime , but alwayscheck your soilbefore adding anything . TheUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculturerecommends 1 Cypriot pound of10 - 20 - 10 fertilizerper 100 square feet .
glean the gumbo when the pods are still immature . Pods are unremarkably ready for harvest aboutsix days after blossoming , and gumbo heyday only last a day . Harvesting okra on a regular basis encourages more flowering .
Most okra varieties have sharpspines , so gardeners should weargloveswhen harvest the pods or touching the plant life .
Okra grow well in many southern parts of the United States , where the mood assemble its want for warm temperature . Growing gumbo in northern character of the United States can be more challenging .
Tips for Growing Okra With Cooler Summers
USDA Hardiness Zone
Days to maturity
Plant Size
Spines / Spineless
cod size at harvest
' Red Burgundy '
2 through 11
55 days
4 feet
Spines
6 inches or less
' Clemson Spineless '
5 foot
Spineless
3 inches or less
' Star of David '
70 days
7 feet or taller
' Jing Orange '
60 years
4 foot or more
1’Red Burgundy' Okra
Stunning color and tender pods
' Red Burgundy ' okra is the prototype of anedimentalcrop , both edible and cosmetic . It has boldred pods and stemsas well as stunningyellow flowers . This works is n’t just beautiful , though ; it ’s also a authentic producer .
The pods on ' Red Burgundy ' Abelmoschus esculentus can be left to uprise as large as 6 inches before it need harvest home . Unlike many varieties that must get reap when pods are still diminished to prevent fibrosity , ' Red Burgundy ' remains fond even with great pods .
' Red Burgundy ' and other red okras move around green when cooked .
2’Clemson Spineless' Okra
A spineless garden classic
' Clemson Spineless ' is signally generative and tout attractivedeep green pods . Its lack of sticker makes it one of the more pleasant okra smorgasbord to reap .
Unlike most okra diversity , ' Clemson Spineless ' does not require less than 11 hours of daylight to flower well . Thislack of daylight sensitivitymakes it a good option for cultivator who have longer periods of sun .
While ' Clemson Spineless ' okra seedpod can grow to 5 in , it is best to reap them at around 3 inches , as that is when they are most tender .
3’Star of David' Okra
Impressive height and unique pod shape
' Star of David ' okra flora can easily growover 7 feet . Despite the massive size of the plants , the pod are still best harvest at 2 to 3 inches in distance .
With a beautifulstar shapewhen sliced , the ' Star of David ' okra is a tasty and visually appeal increase to gumbos and stews for grower who can wait 70 day for this variety to mature .
4’Jing Orange' Okra
A beautifully colored heirloom
Another beautiful option for okra lovers , ' Jing Orange , ' is anheirloomokra variety with chicken flowers and orange - red cod and bow . Like the ' Red Burgundy , ' it remains tender even when the pods reach 6 in long . ' Jing Orange ' okra is n’t just beautiful , though . It is also drouth - kind and a fecund manufacturer .
Some people dislike okra ’s texture and find it " despicable . " This " repulsiveness " makes gumbo good at knob soups , stews , and gumbos .
The beautiful and versatile okra is an excellent addition to garden in areas with long , red-hot summer . However , agriculturalist in more temperate northerly regions can also raise this veg at dwelling by starting the seeds indoors and picking a suitable variety . Be certain to bookmark this article if you ’re plan to grow okra shortly . Do n’t forget to partake with friends , especially those growing gumbo for the first sentence .
