Some Tips and Varieties of Okra

The Scientific name of Okra is Abelmoschus esculentus from the Malvaceae family. It has other names too such as Ladies finger or Bhindi. 

This plant belongs to tropical and subtropical regions where the temperature remains warm. These are native to Asia and Africa. 

Okra is a flowering plant and usually grown as a vegetable, but it can also be grown as a decorative plant that literally gives a bold statement to the outdoor space.

Okra is a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, dietary fibers and carbohydrates and helps in curing diabetes as well.

 

Tips for growing Okra

Here are some basic tips that help to get more yield from the plant and grow them healthier.

Always sow your okra seeds during the evening as it will result in more healthy growth of the plants. They are basically self pollinating plants. 

Regular harvesting of okra pods enhances more pod production and also prunes the lower leaves to get more yield as well. 

You can check whether the vegetable is tender or not by breaking the tips or slightly bending the tips of the vegetable. If it is easily breakable then they are tender and of good quality.

The best plants that can be grown along with okra are cucumber, bell peppers, brinjal and melons. But do not grow them along with potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage or broccoli. 

These plants are drought resistant but cannot tolerate frost and hence winter is not the right time to grow this vegetable. 

Mulching of soil in Okra is beneficial for the plant as it helps retain moisture as well as in weed reduction. The best mulching material is pine straw.

It is better to directly sow the seeds as transplanting may harm the roots because the roots are delicate of these plants.

Always use an organic fertilizer for the plant as it will continuously supply the plant with adequate nutrients and make the soil fertile as well. 

 

Varieties of Okra

Apart from regular Okra, there are some other varieties that you can choose from.

Annie Oakley

Growing 3 to 4 feet tall, this hybrid plant provides a good harvest.

Burgundy 

A plant that reaches a height of around 4 feet and has a deep reddish-brown seed pod that loses some of its color after cooking.

Clemson Spineless

Heritable plants known for their good flavor, growing up to 5 feet tall, are known for their good flavor.

Emerald

Spineless heirloom plants that grow to around 4 feet, these have especially long seed pods measuring 7 to 9 inches long.

White Velvet 

A tender white pod is present on this heirloom plant which grows to a height of 5 feet.

Conclusion

So these are some tips and varieties of Okra or Ladies Finger plant that will definitely help you in growing and choosing one of the varieties for your vegetable garden.