Okra - anyone want to grow it?

[chris]

A chap I work with has just come back from India and has brought me some seeds back.

I've just under over 470 okra seeds - given the year, and the month now I'm going to save them to grow next year.. however, thought it might be a fun idea to have a grow along thread? Sort of like PW's banana shallot seed adventure, if you're old enough to remember that (I was a bit of a lurker back then, must admit).

Given the price of them from seed suppliers, even if you just wanted to try them and not take part then I'll happily send you some (SAE - and you must be an active forum member... I'll be offering these as per the seed swap rules).

I believe from reading a few threads that they're a bit of a challenge to grow. I'm not sure what variety they are, as they were bought loose.

If you'd like to take part in it, reply below - starting this thread now, as no doubt I'll forget in a few months time

Any that are left over, I'll put in the VSP.

[veggiechicken]

I'm up for it Chris I've always wanted an Orca to call my own I've tried before but never managed to crop any - I'm sure there's time to sow them this year so what ya waiting for

[chris]

Well, it could be this year I suppose!

[PyreneesPlot]

I've just planted ten plants out in the cold. They survived a frost the other night when I forget to fleece them so thought they may as well go out in the ground, poor things.
This is the fourth season and so far we've harvested TWO pods ...

[roitelet]

The flowers are pretty though!!

[Tripmeup]

Count me in Chris please

[bearded bloke]

Thanks for the very kind offer Chris,but as I have enough trouble trying to grow "normal" veggies I will decline on the occasion

[Mikey]

I'm happy to join in buddy, not sure what the family will think of them. I'll go have a bit of a read up, not really sure what you do with it....

[sammy_roser]

I'd like to join in too please

[Mikey]

They need to be grown under glass then Chris?

[Frana]

On the Okra subject, got some in a heated propagator going strong at the moment - I try em every year with only very limited success but I will persevere!

Will keep you all informed on the old 'widows fingers!'.

[VirginVegGrower]

I've got them to germinate, grow tall and flower easily. It's the fruiting that's not so easy. They require heat and sun - looks out of the window. I put mine out in that hot Spring two years ago. May respond to poly/glasshouse growing.

[chris]

I'll be growing mine under glass, as yes they require hear to grow - the chap was telling they'll grow fine with aubergines - so am assuming same growing conditions !

[horticultural_hobbit]

Please don't tell my mother that you have proper, Bollywood,
Desi seeds. I get told all the time that I should grow Indian stuff.

[Canny Grower]

I'm having a go at okra for the first time this year. I have 2 plants in the allotment greenhouse, one looking very spindly - too long on the windowsill at home, I suspect.