Growing Okra (ladies fingers)

[crichmond]

Hi All

I am trying okra again this year, after last years total failure due to late planting and the allotment flooding.

I decided to try three different types this year:

Okra - clemsens spineless
Okra - Cajun
Okra - Little Lucy

Germination results 5 of each planted:

3 out of 5 - Okra - clemsens spineless
4 out of 5 - Okra - Cajun
5 out of 5 - Okra - Little Lucy

Health results so far, all given exactly same conditions, light, water measured to the ml:

Okra - clemsens spineless - Ok fairly healthy but still very small
Okra - Cajun - Good healthy growth apart from one is a little yellow
Okra - Little Lucy - Excellent health and growth, twice as big as cajun and three times bigger than clemsens spineless.

Leaf growth:

Clemsens still on first set
cajun starting to put out second set
little lucy starting to put out second set

PS: I love eating okra.

Cheers Chris

[Alison]

I know a couple of people who have tried growing it in the past and from what I've been told, it's not difficult to get going but you need to look after it a lot as it gets bigger as it's very sensitive to any changes in temperature so good luck with it!!!!!

[crichmond]

Hi Alison

Thanks for the reply, if thats the case I will grow it in the heated greenhouse, I was going to grow it in the pollytunnel but if I grow it in the greenhouse I can be certain it wont get hit by frost.

Just got to start some more off to make up for the ones that didnt germinate.

Cheers Chris

[Seahorse]

I've got some Clemsens Spineless seeds but haven't started them off yet, I might do that this weekend. Not sure I'll be able to provide enough heat/light for a successful crop though.

Where did you get your Little Lucy seeds Chris?

[crichmond]

Hi Seahorse

I find the best way to get them going is to put them in a cup of luke warm water for a couple of days, by this time they will have a small white shoot just popping out, then plant them in compost in a propagator, it doesnt need to be a heated propagator, I havent used one I just used a cell tray with a plastic propagator lid on it. If you grow them on a windowsill just remember to turn it round to stop the seedling leaning over.

the reason for soaking them is the the seeds shell comes off in the compost rather than staying on the seedling

I got the little lucy seeds from america.
If you want some let me have your address and I will send you some.

Cheers Chris

[crichmond]

PS when I say I will use the heated greenhouse, the propane heater is only set to 4 degrees just to stop frost touching the plants in it.

Cheers Chris

[Seahorse]

Thanks for the tips Chris - I will send you a PM

[smallblueplanet]

Bleurgh! do you guys actually like the taste of slimey ol' okra?!

[crichmond]

MMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm okra.

[veg4681]

Bleurgh! do you guys actually like the taste of slimey ol' okra?!

Okay it is slimey but man, you can't help but like these strange tasting veggies just as you're partial to aubergine yet there are people who just can't grasp it as there are people who detest Brussels Sprouts
...celery...parsnips (as I can't stand broad beans). Give me Okra any day and I'm yours but they're hideously expensive to buy fresh in shops. They go well in Cajun cooking (think Gumbo) and most Asian dishes, even Japanese.

I'll be watching with great interest to see how Crichmond's Okra growing trial goes. Sounds like Little Lucy might be the winning variety as we're only able to buy the Clemson one in UK. Apparently they are related to Hibiscus.

[crichmond]

Apparently they are related to Hibiscus.

Hmmm do you think the wife would be happy putting them in her flower vase???

PS: I am half Greek and they use okra a lot so maybe thats why I like it, ya know brought up on it sort of thing.

Cheers Chris

[The Doctor]

I know a couple of people who have tried growing it in the past and from what I've been told, it's not difficult to get going but you need to look after it a lot as it gets bigger as it's very sensitive to any changes in temperature so good luck with it!!!!!

Exactly what I found. I tried Clemson's Spineless last year. Seed count was a bit tight in the first place (only 8!) but 6 germinated reasonably easily.

All growing along nicely, then one by one they drooped, shrivelled and died off. As this was happening, I kept an eye on watering, temperature etc and never got to the bottom of it. I like eating them, but I don't think I'll bother trying to grow them again!

[clare3411]

Hi

I managed to get all of mine to germinate, used a heated propogator they were up like a shot. However turned my back for a couple of days and they are so leggy! 1st time I tried. Will now buy another packet and make sure I don't leave the lid on the heated prop next time after they pop their little heads through!

I am lucky enough to have a friend who is indian and she makes the most amazing curries and things with them! Me useless can't make a decent curry for toffee! We are getting a bit excited about cooking them in a pot on the lottie later in the summer and eating Al Fresco with the kids and chaps enjoying the outside (They live in the city centre of Leicester and out here is positively country bumpkin for them!) Can't wait.

[jeannine]

We grew a few nice plants last year but I have to say that although I like the sliminess (is that a word!???) of okra, for all the time and effort I put in to raising a crop of it here in sunny Colchester, I think I can put the space to better use with other crops.

It's always nice to experiment with something new though!

[Wortle]

My greenhouse isnt put up yet..anyone knoew what the seed to fruit time is on these?...hell anyone actually got any fruit from them succesfully?