If properly harvested, handled, not washed, and stored correctly, one can expect to keep good quality pods in the refrigerator for about seven days. The optimum conditions for storing fresh okra are a moist environment and temperatures of 45 to 50 ☏. Preserving And Storing Clemson Spineless Okra Plant The crop can be grown on all soil types, although sandy loam soils high in organic matter are the most desirable. If soil temperatures are less than 65 ☏, at a soil depth of 4 inches, gardeners should hold off on planting until soil temperatures are warmer. The optimum soil temperature for seed germination lies somewhere between 70 to 95 ☏, so gardeners will want to check the soil temperature at a depth of 4 inches before planting. When planting okra, gardeners want to ensure that the soil temperature is warm enough so that seeds germinate and begin to grow, as cool soils can lead to slow growth and seedling diseases. Okra grows best at temperatures between 75 and 90 ☏. The plant was introduced to the Americas by ships plying the Atlantic slave trade by 1658, when its presence was recorded in Brazil. From Arabia, the plant spread around the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and eastward. One of the earliest accounts is by a Spanish Moor who visited Egypt in 1216 and described the plant under cultivation by the locals who ate the tender, young pods with meal. ![]() The plant may have entered southwest Asia across the Red Sea or the Bab-el-Mandeb straight to the Arabian Peninsula, rather than north across the Sahara, or from India. The Egyptians and Moors of the 12th and 13th centuries used the Arabic word for the plant. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of South Asian, Ethiopian and West African origins. tuberculatus and a reported “diploid” form of okra. However, proposed parents include Abelmoschus ficulneus, A. To learn more about the "Safe Seed Pledge" please visit Spineless Okra is an allopolyploid of uncertain parentage. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, to genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems, and ultimately to healthy people and communities. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. "Agriculture and seeds" provide the basis upon which our lives depend. Tips: Wear gloves when harvesting, because okra has spines.ĪVG. Oversized pods become tough and decrease overall yield of plant. Harvesting: Harvest promptly by clipping pods at 3-4″ long to keep plants productive. Pods should be approximately 3 inches long when harvested. Reapply the fertilizer every four to six weeks throughout its growing season.ĭays to Maturity: Okra is ready two months after planting. Side-dress again two to three weeks later. Once okra reaches 6 inches tall, give a side-dressing of fertilizer. Do not disturb roots.įertilizer: Prior to planting, mix a 10-10-10 fertilizer in with the soil. Transplant 12-18″ apart in rows 3′ apart. Start 4-5 weeks ahead of transplanting out after frost danger when soil is warm. For transplanting, sow in 2″ pots, 2-3 seeds per pot, 1/4″ deep and thin to 1 plant when 2″ high. Planting: For direct seeding, after frost danger, sow 2″ apart, 1/2″ deep when soil is warm – at least 70☏. Since okra can reach 6 feet tall, plant it in an area of the garden where its shade won’t harm other plants’ growth. In northern climates, plant okra indoors four to six weeks prior to the last frost date. Plant okra in the spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed. It has a taste similar to eggplant.īefore Planting: Soak the okra in water for 12 to 18 hours prior to planting to soften the outer shell of the seed. Okra is a warm-weather plant often grown in southern climates. ![]() Okra may not be a common vegetable found in a garden, but it makes for good canning and pickling.
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