Planting okra: timing, growing conditions and fruiting

Okra is easy to care for and doesn't require much attention from the grower. However, there are some growing considerations to keep in mind. Okra is an extremely heat-loving crop and shouldn't be planted outdoors until the weather warms up. Planting times are determined by the region's climate, but okra is almost always grown from seedlings. With proper cultivation practices, okra produces abundant and prolonged fruiting, with harvests occurring every three days.

Sowing time and care of okra seedlings

Plants are transplanted outdoors only after the weather warms and there's no longer any risk of frost. In temperate climates, mature plants are transplanted in June, while in southern climates, they're transplanted in May. Okra seedlings should be about 1.5 months old, which gardeners should take into account when calculating sowing dates. Therefore, in the south of the country, seed germination begins in March, while in more northern regions, the time shifts to April.

The seedling container needs to be deep; transplanting is not recommended, so individual containers are recommended. It's best to grow okra in peat pots, as this eliminates the need to remove plants that don't tolerate transplanting well and whose root systems are very fragile. Okra requires light, nutritious soil; a commercial "vegetable" soil is suitable.

Read alsoSeedling planting dates in 2020: a lunar calendar for gardeners The 2020 gardening calendar will help you plan not only your planting but also all your gardening needs for the coming season. Tables with favorable days by phase…

After soaking the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, plant them 3-4 cm deep. Place two seeds in each hole, cover with soil, and water with a spray bottle. Cover the containers with plastic wrap until sprouts appear. Air the seedlings daily and, as the soil dries, moisten them. The first shoots will appear in 2-3 weeks at temperatures of 16˚C (61˚F).

Okra seedlings have the following care requirements:

1. Temperature conditions – for normal development, +24…+25˚C is required; when below +16˚C, okra growth stops.
2. Watering – moderate, as the top soil layer dries out, with warm (+22…+25˚C) settled water.
3. Illumination – daylight hours should be at least 12 hours.
4. Humidity in the room – okra needs approximately 65-75%.
5. Top dressing: after the seedlings appear, add nitrophoska (1 tbsp. per 5 liters of water).

Transplanting and care in open soil

Okra grows well in sunny areas protected from wind and drafts. It's best if you've previously grown nightshades or cruciferous crops on it. Prepare the okra plot in the fall or spring (one month before transplanting). To ensure young plants thrive in their permanent location, the gardener should perform the following steps:

• remove all plant debris;
• dig to a depth of 20 cm;
• add humus, ash, compost or complex mineral fertilizers;
• If the soil acidity is high, it is limed.

Okra is planted with row spacings of 0.5 m and individual plants spaced 0.3 m apart. Water as the soil dries. Once moistened, loosen the soil and remove weeds. When the bushes reach 40 cm in height, they are tied up. Fertilize the plants regularly—twice a month—with complex fertilizers (mineral and organic), and potassium supplements during the fruiting phase. Okra is susceptible to the following diseases and pests:

• powdery mildew;
• brown spot;
• thrips;
• slugs;
• cabbage moths.

https://youtu.be/2uYJ0LLxYlA

Fungicides are used to treat powdery mildew. To combat brown spot, use a calendula flower decoction (400 g per 2 liters of water) or a garlic solution (30 g per 2 liters). These solutions are sprayed on affected plants and the surrounding soil. To control pests, insecticides such as Actellic and similar agents are used. Solutions of Lepidocide and Bitoxybacillin (10 g per 2 liters of water) are also effective. Sprinkle the space between rows and the soil beneath the bushes with wood ash or lime.

Read alsoCastor bean planting dates in 2020 and cultivation features When planting castor oil plants for seedlings in 2020, you should follow the lunar calendar recommendations, as well as the specific characteristics of the growing region (climate, topography). Favorable days for planting are generally…

You can also use natural infusions:

• white mustard – 5 g per 0.5 l;
• lemon zest – 50 g per 0.5 l;
• yarrow – 40 g per 0.5 l;
• hot pepper – 25 g per 0.5 l.

Harvesting

Okra begins flowering about 2.5 months after planting. The fruits are harvested approximately one week after the flowers appear, when they reach 10 cm in length. They ripen quickly, so they are picked sometimes daily, but preferably every three days. You can check their ripeness by pinching the edge of the pod – if it's soft, the fruit is ripe. Don't allow them to overgrow, as they will become stringy and tough and will only be good for seed. It's recommended to wear heavy gloves when harvesting, as the hairs on the stems and foliage are very irritating to the skin. The plant produces fruit until the outside temperature drops below 15˚C.

Read alsoHow can you feed peppers during flowering and fruiting? Sweet peppers are grown in a wide variety of regions across our country. Although they are heat-loving crops, gardeners in Siberia, the Urals, and other regions achieve good yields when grown in greenhouses.

Okra is an exotic vegetable crop that can be grown outdoors. The plant should be transplanted to its permanent location no sooner than the soil has warmed to 15˚C. If transplanted earlier, okra may not establish itself. The crop thrives with moderate watering and regular fertilizing, as well as sufficient daylight hours. Pests and diseases rarely affect the plant. Okra produces fruiting that is long and abundant, ending with the onset of autumn frosts.