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

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