Okra from seed

[Wossername]

I have managed to get 2 of the several Okra (ladies fingers) seeds that I have planted to survive past the feeding leaves stage. They were coming on really well until to my horror I checked them today and the main leaves are very blanched. almost to the point of being white. The original feeding leaves are still an extremely dark green. What am I doing wrong.

The plants are outside in an unheated greenhouse and the temperature has not dropped below 5 degrees celsius or risen above 36 degrees celsius over the last few days.

[Alison]

Have never grown Okra but have been told that whilst it's very easy to germinate it can be a bit of a pig to crop from as I believe it likes a consistant warm temperature.

[Wossername]

Alison, thanks for your reply. They seem to be doing OK at the moment. Still growing on in the greenhouse, but still very little colour in the leaves.

[Don Vincenzo]

Alison, thanks for your reply. They seem to be doing OK at the moment. Still growing on in the greenhouse, but still very little colour in the leaves.

Hi Wossername
This year I am trying to grow okra as well. At the moment they are in my unheated greenhouse in individual small pots waiting to be transplanted. So far I am not inpressed by the way they are growing but hope is the last thing to die. I will keep you informed.
Regards
Don Vincenzo

[Wossername]

Don,

I know the feeling. Mine too are in small pots in an unheated greenhouse. Not overly impressed, but they are still growing-ish.

[adam connor]

second year of trying this crop. Last year one germination and failed little seedling. This year failed with germiating in airing cupboard and then failed with second sowing. Only crop i failed?? This will become a "mission"

[Dobby]

we have never tryed them sounds like a chalange
I think we will have to have a go
Maybe GYO could send us a free pack in the next mag

[DirtDobber]

It has been my experience, here in the USA, that okra is a heat loving plant...it likes its feet warm at all times and doesn't thrive until it gets reallu warm....and full sun of course...we are having an unusually cool spring here in TX and my okra is limping along but I know that as soon as we get our normal heat, it will grow great guns...

[Wossername]

Well, mine, the two that germinated at least, are still growing, they are quite small and weedy, but each day they get that little bit greener and stronger. I will keep you updated.

If you like a challenge though, then these are the seeds for you.

[leona]

i got 2 plants flowering last year. i sowed them too late because i was worried about the weather so the 3 pods per plant i got, i let go to seed properly and kept the seed. i have mine in an unheated greenhouse but if the temp outside drops below 10 degrees i bring them into the house... i know it might sound a bit over the top but they really arent suited to our climate i dont think so sooner keep them a bit warmer

[Wossername]

It just gets better, I went to inspect my okra in the greenhouse a couple of days ago and they are covered in little clear balls (eggs presumably) see photo here.

[leona]

i get that. actually of all the things i grow, the okra gets the most pests on it. black fly mainly and loads of those eggs. its a constant battle.

[bloomers]

i grew them last year the leaves went very pail .i did manage to get 6 lady fingers out of one plant.i found it a fussy plant not happy anywhere.imade a small curry out of them only to find its an aquired taste ann

[Wossername]

I used to live in West Africa, as a child and we grew them in our garden without any trouble at all. I know that they are an acquired taste, but I love them.

[DirtDobber]

In the southern US, okra is one of those favored veggies....and it is used/cooked in many different ways...like gumbo for instance...but the real way that most people love it is ....battered and fried....even some of our fast food places serve it and while MzPiggy that I am, I shouldn't eat it but do occasionally have it...I grow okra and I love to grow it because it is such a showy plant...How do you all cook it?