Okra - any advice?

[Alfie]

We thought we'd try growing some Okra this year, and just wondered if anyone had any advice to pass on?

Seedlings are up and doing ok in the greenhouse so far..fingers crossed!

Thanks, Alfie

[momol]

Hi Alfie,

I am going to grow them again this year. I think you have to wait until it is a bit warmer before you set them out unless if you grow them in your green house. they need at least around 25 C , very sunny locations and protected from strong wind. space them 75- 100 cm apart in a row. make sure you have bees or other insect as pollinator ( they said wind can polinate them too ). You may need staking if it is very windy. I used to fertelized them with chicken manure en they seems to like it.

Hope it help,


Momol

[Alfie]

Thanks

Thanks for that...was planning to plant them out on the allotment, but figured I might need to stake them...guess I'll have to be patient until it warms up a bit...

[johnty greentoes]

Don't do it - they are slimy.

[serenity]

I'm giving these a try too this year (I know what you mean about the slime JT ) No idea how to grow it, haven't space to plant it and i don't really like the stuff

I just can't resist buying seeds

[momol]

Hi JT,

They are slime but I have a trick to cook them slimeless ( or at least minimum slime ). If you are still interesed in retrying them here are some simple tricks :
wash them clean and use kitchen tower to dry them. Remember do not cut them first, blanch them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes until the colour slightly change ( but not really cook yet ) then get them out of the pot, wash with cool water and dry them with kitchen tower then slice as wish and cook as wish ( you can use microwave or steaming instead of blanching methode just keep in mind not to cut them first ! )
Good luck,

Momol

[Alfie]

I've only stir-fried them or had them in a curry! haven't encountered the slime yet! :-)

Thanks for al your replies

Alfie

[leona]

they have beautiful flowers too. im going to try star of david okra this year, wont be sowing yet tho as im pretty sure they are not very suited to england. i used to live in israel and the okra there is much smaller than what you can buy here hence the star of david stuff. my grandma cooks it in tomatos basically. yum yum yum

[Birdie Wife]

I think they're supposed to add texture to dishes, and the slime disappears into casseroles/curries when you cook them - like making a thicker gravy type thing. If you steam them whole and try eating them as a side veg, they can be virtually unpalatable.

[multiveg]

The flower is beautiful. The plants need warmth right from the start. Grow indoors - greenhouse/polytunnel/sunny windowsill. We had a handful last year that made their way into a curry. OH wants to grow again.