Good Morning Seedlings, Yes it is 4 am and I am awake. So since I have a full day planned ahead I thought I would write our new veggie discussion now. I a really excited to try this new-for-me veggie. So, Lets Talk OKRA! Since I have never grown okra before I am sharing growing info from my favorite learning source, NC State University. With my newly discovered liking for fried okra, I plan on growing some this year. I am going to try the Clemson Spineless variety. Though I like the description of the variety Prelude Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy loams high in organic matter are the most desirable for okra. It is difficult to get good stands on heavy clays. Poorly drained soils may result in drowning of the plants. Okra is susceptible to several soil borne disease pests (nematodes, Southern stem blight and wilts) thus crop rotation should be so planned to avoid these where possible. Varieties: Clemson Spineless is a uniform spineless variety with medium dark green, angular pods. It requires 55 to 58 days from seeding to maturity. Emerald is a spineless variety with dark green, smooth, round pods. It requires 58 to 60 days from seeding to maturity. Lee is a spineless variety with deep bright green, very straight angular pods. The plant is a semi-dwarf type. Prelude (PVP) is a new open pollinated, spineless variety with very dark glossy green fluted pods. It can be harvested when pods are 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inches longer than other varieties and still remain tender. It requires 50 to 55 days from seed and generally yields better than Clemson Spineless. Fertilize with 10-10-10 when plants are 6-8 inches tall, then sidedress with 5-10-10 2 weeks later. Do not over use nitrogen as this will make for excessive vigor and poor production. Harvesting: The plant continues to produce so long as pods are removed. Mature pods left on the plant will reduce flowering and fruit set. Generally pods are harvested when 21⁄2 to 31⁄2 inches long. When plants are healthy and actively growing 5-inch pods are usually tender and acceptable. To achieve maximum yields the pods must be harvested every other day. Most pods are ready for harvesting 4 to 6 days after the bloom opens. Pods may be cut with a knife or snapped off by hand. Cutting is slower, but produces a nicer result. Most people are sensitive to the small spines on okra and often get a rash or itch. When harvesting, pickers should be provided with gloves and wear long sleeves and long pants for protection. Cutback: After the market price drops in the late spring, cutting back okra will allow the plant to rejuvenate and produce a fall crop. Cut plants with a weedeater or mower to 8 to 10 nodes, 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Refertilize with 15-0-14, 8-0-24 or 13-0-44 (gardeners at 6 ounces per 100 feet of row) to encourage regrowth and side branches. Fall yields of cutback crops will often exceed spring crops or yield of non-cutback crops. AMAZING! I am going to try this!
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 09:00:47 +0000
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