has anyone grown okra before?

[leona]

i dont know anyone that has grown it before and i am abit unsure as to a couple of things and would love some help if anyone has grown it before.

[rauni]

Not at all expert, but I'm growing okra this year for the first time. Bit of a high failure rate in seedings. Didn't start enough really. The few that survived are producing neat little fruits pointing upwards. I've been foliar feeding now and again with seaweed spray, and also giving them organic tomato/veg feed when I remember. What's the query? I'm sure someone will be able to help.

[User Removed]

Leona, i have grown okra before, quite good (unlike asparagus peas). All my seeds germinated.
What do you want to know??

[leona]

i sowed 2 seeds which both germinated. ive had a couple of flowers which have grown into okra. the thing is, i thought the plant was supposed to get to about 4 foot high and mine arent even a foot tall.

[rauni]

Mine are about 18" to 2 foot tall, and now have lots of fruit developing. Not masses of leaves, but they seem healthy enough.

[leona]

mine seem to have stopped. one plant has 3 fruits on, one has 2. they havent flowered for ages now. they had a flower develop but it went brown and fell off. any chance you could post a pic of yours? also, what variety is it?

[rauni]

Sad to say, Leona, mine have joined the 'brown bits dropping off' gang. Very disappointing. They seemed to like the hotter weather we had before, but since its been wet and cooler, they're not at all happy. They're in a very small greenhouse, which I leave the door open on all summer, because if I close it at all it gets really mildewy, due to lack of ventilation. I will try again... third time lucky. Any suggestions?

[purple]

what is okra

please inform me what is okra

[rauni]

Okra is also known as Ladies Fingers, and its the Bindhi in Bindhi Bhaji, my favourite side dish in Indian restaurants. Its green, 2 or 3 inches long, cone shaped, and if you slice it has a kind of star shape, and a wierd slightly gooey/slimey juice. Don't let that description put you off, they're gorgeous fresh (as opposed to tinned, I don't mean raw)...... but obviously not that easy to grow. Anyone know what we're doing wrong? Adam, can you give us some tips? Mine have specific areas of brown rottenness, so the flowers/fruits drop off. The brown bits are mouldy looking. Have I overwatered, or do they need more fresh air circulating, or...
The variety is Clemsons Spineless. Not enough backbone to survive in North Wales.