How to Grow Okra from Seed

 

Scientifically the okra plant is called Abelmoschus esculentus and is actually a warm-season vegetable that is prized for its tender pods, beautiful flowers, and easy-growing nature. Okra is mainly used in soups, stews, and also many traditional dishes. The okra plants really thrive in hot weather conditions and they can actually produce abundant harvests throughout the growing season. According to most vegetable gardeners growing okra from seed is very simple and rewarding, which makes it an excellent choice for a vegetable garden beginner and for anyone who loves to grow this wonderful crop in their backyard.

On this article you are going to learn the step by step on how to grow okra plant from seed, from planting the okra seeds and how to care to harvesting and storage.

Why Growing Okra Plant from Seed?

Growing okra plant from seed really has a lot of advantages:

·  Growing okra plant from seed is inexpensive compared to buying the seedlings.

·  It gives you access to the wide variety of cultivars that is available.

·  Growing okra plant from seed ensures stronger root development.

·  Easy direct sowing in the garden or in your backyard.

·  Growing okra plant from seed ensures high productivity during warm months.

Furthermore, given that okra plant develops a long taproot, it usually performs better when they are planted directly in the garden rather than being transplanted.

The Best Time to Grow Okra Plant Seeds

The okra plant actually loves heat and they grow best when the temperatures remain consistently warm.

The ideal conditions for growing okra are:

·  The soil temperature: seventy to ninety-five degree Fahrenheit

·  The air temperature: seventy-five to ninety-five degree Fahrenheit

·  The full sun exposure: At least six to eight hours daily

You can actually plant the okra seeds outdoors after all danger of frost have passed and the soil has warmed significantly. Actually in most tropical and subtropical regions the okra plant seeds can often be grown during most of the year.

Also read: How to Grow an Apple Tree from Seed

Choosing the Right Okra Plant Variety To Grow

There are really a lot of okra varieties that are available for home gardens. Some popular okra varieties are:

·  The Clemson Spineless variety: The Clemson Spineless variety is one of the most popular varieties with tender pods.

·  The Emerald variety: The Emerald variety produces long, smooth pods.

·  The Burgundy variety: The Burgundy variety has attractive red-colored pods and stems.

·  The Jambalaya variety: The Jambalaya varieties are compact plants suitable for smaller gardens.

·  The Annie Oakley II variety: The Annie Oakley II varieties are early-producing hybrid variety.

Make sure you choose the variety that suits your climate, available space, and culinary preferences.

Preparing the Soil For Planting

The okra plant really grows best in fertile, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

Before planting the okra:

1.    You need to remove weeds, rocks, and debris.

2.    You need to loosen the soil to a depth of ten to twelve inches.

3.    You also need to mix in compost or well-rotted manure.

4.    Make sure the soil drains well in other to prevent root rot.

The perfect soil pH for okra plant is actually between 6.0 and 7.5.

Adding a good organic matter can really help to improves the soil fertility and also moisture retention while encouraging the plant healthy root growth.

Preparing Okra Plant Seeds for Planting

The okra plant seeds have a hard outer coating that can actually slow the seeds germination.

To improve the okra seeds germination rates:

·  You need to soak the okra seeds in warm water for about twelve to twenty-four hours before planting.

·  On the other hand, you can lightly scarify the okra seed coat using fine sandpaper.

All these methods can really help water to penetrate the okra seed coat and then encourage faster sprouting.

Planting The Okra Plant Seeds

Direct sowing of the okra plant seeds is actually the preferred method for growing okra.

The Planting Steps

1.    Just create rows then spaced three feet apart.

2.    Plant the okra plant seeds ½ to one inch deep.

3.    Space the okra plant seeds two to three inches apart.

4.    Then cover them lightly with soil.

5.    Make sure you water gently after planting.

The okra plant seeds typically germinate within five to fourteen days, although depending on the soil temperature.

Once the okra plant seedlings reach about three to four inches tall you can carefully thin them to approximately twelve to eighteen inches apart. Proper spacing of the okra plant improves air circulation and also reduces disease problems.

Watering The Okra Plants

The fact that okra plant tolerates drought better than many vegetables, consistent watering of the okra plant helps promotes healthier plants and also higher yields.

Okra plant watering guidelines:

·  Make sure you provide about one inch of water per week.

·  Make sure you water deeply rather than frequently.

·  Make sure you increase watering during extremely hot weather.

·  Make sure you avoid waterlogged soil.

Applying mulch around the okra plants will really help to retain soil moisture and also suppress weeds growth around the okra plant.

Fertilizing Okra Plant

The okra plant actually benefits from moderate fertilization throughout their growing season.

The Okra plant recommended feeding schedule:

Before Planting The Okra

Make sure you mix compost or a good balanced vegetable fertilizer into the soil before planting.

During The Plant Growth

You can easily apply a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 every four to six weeks.

Make sure you avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers because they can easily encourage leaf growth at the expense of the pod production.

The Organic options:

·  You can use compost

·  You can use aged manure

·  You can use fish emulsion

·  You can use worm castings

Actually a healthy soil often provides much of the nutrition the okra plant really needs.

Sunlight Requirements For Okra Plant

The okra plants really requires full sun to produce abundant harvests.

For the best results:

·  You need to provide at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.

·  More sunlight on the okra plant usually leads to greater pod production.

·  Make sure you avoid planting the okra in heavily shaded locations.

Inadequate sunlight on the okra plants can actually result in weak plants and reduced yields.

The Common Okra Plant Pests

A lot of pests may attack okra plants.

The Aphids

The aphids are small insects suck plant sap and they can weaken the plants.

The control methods:

·  You can spray with water.

·  You can also introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.

·  You can also use insecticidal soap if necessary.

The Flea Beetles

Flea beetles create small holes in the okra plant leaves.

The control methods:

·  You can float the row covers.

·  You can apply neem oil treatments.

·  Try and remove any nearby weeds.

The Stink Bugs

The stink bugs are insects that damage the developing pods.

You can easily hand-pick them and also regular monitoring can help reduce infestations.

Also read: How to Grow Strawberries From Seed

Common Diseases of Okra Plant

The okra plant is relatively disease-resistant but they may occasionally experience problems.

The Powdery Mildew

This actually appears as a white powdery coating on the plant leaves.

Prevention:

·  Proper spacing of the plant.

·  A good airflow around the plant.

·  Make sure you avoid overhead watering.

Root Rot

This is generally caused by poorly drained soil.

 Prevention:

·  You need to improve drainage.

·  Make sure you avoid overwatering.

Fusarium Wilt

This is actually a soil-borne disease that causes yellowing and wilting on the plant.

Prevention:

·  Make sure you rotate crops annually.

·  Make sure you always use disease-resistant varieties when available.

How To Harvest Okra

Without been told one of the most exciting parts of growing okra plant is harvesting the tender pods.

Most of the varieties of okra plants are ready for harvest fifty to sixty-five days after planting.

When to Harvest Okra

You can easily harvest the pods when they are:

·  Two to four inches long.

·  Bright green in color and also tender.

·  Easy to snap from the plant.

Actually the pods will become tough and fibrous if they are left on the plant for too long.

Okra Harvesting Tips

·  You need to always check the okra plants every day or two during peak production.

·  You can carefully use a pruning shears or a sharp knife.

·  Make sure you wear gloves if the okra plant's tiny hairs irritate your skin.

Don’t forget that frequent harvesting of the okra actually encourages the okra plant to produce more and more pods.