Okra

[Bal]

I'll add it to the pile of "funny" things that I've set aside to grow - achocha, kiwano, cucamelons, pepinos, West Indian gherkins, Armenian Yard Long Cukes and Kheera. Goodness knows where I'll grow them on if they all germinate

I've got 6 kheera plants growing happily in the green house. Will let you know how I get on with them

[Frana]

I tried a couple of years ago in my polycarb greenhouse which does get very hot indeed, but to no avail.

I spoke to a guy at work who is a born Jamaican and his trade was farming - so I guess he's a pretty reliable source - he told me that he thinks it would be pretty difficult in our climate to grow Okra to any success and also that the plants can grow very large so a lot of space would be needed.

[arch01]

I tried okra last year. Grew quite well when covered but then came to a screeching halt once uncovered. Have grown them a lot in the past in a much hotter climate. In a proper climate they can get very large--ours were almost 2 m. They really like heat and the nighttime lows are too cold in Oxon resulting in the fruits dropping once flowered.

[Chris11]

Having another go this year, anyone else?

Have got some Clemson's Spineless germinated.

[Yasai]

Do you know, I'd forgotten all about my wanting to grow these. 2016 was a bit of a non-starter gardening -wise and after that I clean forgot. Hmmm, may have to give it a go this year then...

[Vince G]

My Clemson's Spineless are just poking through. Grew them in the polytunnel last year and got probably 30 fruit from 4 plants, so not exactly prolific, but I enjoyed them!

Beautiful flower too!

[BertieFox]

Okra: root system

I'm growing okra this year not having done so for many years, and always unsuccessfully.

I have pricked on the germinated seeds at seed leaf stage and noticed that they already have a very long tap root, which made me wonder if I was making a basic mistake by potting them into shallow square plastic pots.

Have those who have grown them successfully put them in tall pots at the early stage like you might do with sweet pea seedings?

My plan is to put them out asap in the bed of the polytunnel to give them every chance to make maximum growth.

As the object is to get the maximum number of pods possible, should I take out the early flowers and try to get several all pollinated at the same time as you do with melons?

In the past my okra plants have only produced one rather miserable little pod and then the plant has died. I hope I can do better this time.