Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

Plant family

Malvengewächse (Malvaceae) (Malvaceae)

Season Overview

Propagating

Planting

Harvest

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Seeding distance

30 cm

Row spacing

60 cm

Seeding depth

3 cm

Instructions

Beginning of May

Fertilizing

Every seven Weeks

Mid of May

Support

Mid of May

Mulch

End of May

Planting

Description

The okra plant belongs to the mallow family. By the way, the hibiscus also belongs to the same family. This explains the beautiful, white - yellow or purple flowers of the okra plant. From them develop the 10 to 20 cm long pods. The annual tropical plant can grow up to 250 cm in optimal conditions.

Origin:

This vegetable plant originates from the highlands of Abyssinia, a high mountain range in central and northern Ethiopia in Africa. It is one of the oldest crops on earth.

Growing tips

The okra plant likes it warm. In our latitudes, it is therefore rather cultivated in a greenhouse. Only in very mild regions it can also be grown as a container plant. Cultivation begins in April. For a more reliable and faster germination, soak the seeds in warm water for one day. The germination time is about 10 days. At the end of May you can plant the okra seedlings in the greenhouse. At the end of the planting period, you can put up a climbing aid made of string or wooden sticks. Harvesting should be done 2 weeks after the plant has withered. Unripe fruits are also harvested.