Abelmoschus esculentus
Malvaceae
Okra
Annual herb growing to 2m (6 feet). Palmate leaves up to 30cm (12 inches) across. Flowers are white to yellow.
Uses
Harvest daily 8-10 weeks after planting. If pods are allowed to stay on the plant, they will quickly deteriorate.
Store at 7-10 degrees C and 90% humidity.
Fruits can be preserved in salt water or dried in a cool dark place.
Eaten boiled, fried or in stews and soups.
Culture
Requires warm temperatures (24-26 degrees C) and will not usually survive in cool areas although there are some cold tolerant cultivars now available.
Prefers well drained and aerated soil. Requires fertile soils high in nitrogen. Apply fertiliser throughout the growing season. Prefers a soil pH of 6.5
Propagation
From seed; soak seeds in water for 48 hours before sowing.
Cultivars
Several cultivars available including:
'Annie Oakley'
'Baby Bubba'
'Cajun Delight'
'Clemson Spineless'
'Chifre de Veado'
'North and South'
'Santa Cruz'
Plant Health
May be attacked by aphis. Suffers from fungal diseases such as verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt and leaf spot.
Irrigate frequently.
http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/cgi-win/spec_crop.exe/show_crop&ID=20
http://agrolink.moa.my/comoditi/vegetable/bendi.html
More info
'Home Vegetable Growing' and 'Commercial Vegetable Production' courses through Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/hort.
'Commercial Hydroponics' on CDROM from Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/shop
More from ACS
Ebook - Decide what you can produce in your garden and the growing conditions needed for a range of climates.
View eBook
Ebook - comprehensive, easy to read guide on all the aspects of organic growing.
View eBook
Course - for:
Vegetable growers, farm managers, farm workers, breeders, nurserymen, seed breeders and allied service providers.
View Course
Course - help the environment by understanding the principles and practices of cultivating plants naturally without the use of chemicals.
View Course