![]() ![]() To fertilize, mix manure into the soil to give nutrients to your plants and side dress the plant occasionally with it as well. Okra plants can tolerate higher temperatures very well but will fail to produce pods when the temperature gets too cool. The plant can grow above 50 degrees F, but to flower and bear fruit with abundance, the temperature needs to be around 75 to 95 degrees. The most important factor in growing good okra is the temperature, as okra requires a lot of heat. Pay close attention to the moisture levels of the soil during the most critical period of growth, from the start of the flowering period until the end of production. Keep the soil (or soilless medium) slightly moist at all times, watering regularly to keep the soil uniformly moist. Otherwise, you can add in a lot of organic matter, such as compost, or aged-manure to give a constant supply of essential nutrients to your okra plants. ![]() Soilless potting mixes rich in organic matter work wonderfully. The potting soil you use for okra should be loamy, crumbly, and well-draining. Like other prolific southern vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers, okra needs lots of sunlight to thrive. Once your seedlings have sprouted, pick a location that gets full sunlight for at least five to six hours per day, more if possible. The warmer the weather, the faster germination will occur. The soil needs to remain moist until your seeds germinate, which takes about five to ten days after sowing seed. Water with a watering can or a sprayer set on shower and place your containers in a bright, warm location. Sow two or three okra seeds one half to one inch deep into each pot. Due to its taproot, okra will not transplant well, so it’s best to plant seeds into your containers directly. Growing okra year-round is possible if you live in a subtropical or tropical region, or in USDA zones 9-11. Plant when the temperature begins to stay above 55–60 degrees F and all danger of frost has passed. If you live in an area with shorter summers, pick out a variety that matures quickly. You can grow any variety of okra in a container, but dwarf varieties are better suited to container gardening than other okra plant types. When picking out your seeds, look for a dwarf okra variety that will not grow larger than five feet tall. It is best to pick out a container that is black, because it will draw in extra heat, which your okra plants will appreciate. If you use a larger pot, you can grow a few plants in it instead. For best results, a five-gallon pot that is ten to 12 inches deep with a similar diameter is the perfect size for a single okra plant. The container should be at least three gallons or larger. To begin growing okra in pots or containers, first, pick out a large pot made of whatever material you prefer. That’s all you have to do to get fresh supply of Okra in your gardens and homes.QUESTION: Can okra be grown in pots? Are they too big to plant in a container? -Paul R.ĪNSWER: Like most vegetables, okra is well suited to container gardening. Keep harvesting Okra until the plant stops producing the crop. Once you make a cut, another pod will start to grow from the same spot. Use a scissor or simply pluck them just above their caps. Harvest the produce when it’s 2-3 inches tall and keep harvesting once every two days. Your first produce will be ready within 45 to 50 days of planting. To keep the bugs at bay, use a homemade pesticide and keep your plant in a good shape. If you spot any unwanted plants, remove them. Keep your plant away from unwanted pests and weeds. Thin out the smaller seedlings and leave the stronger ones intact. Space out the seedlings by thinning them when they’re about 3 inches tall. Keep your Okra plant hydrated, water your plant every morning to allow it to retain water throughout the day. Place the seedling in the soil and fully cover the roots. Dig a hole deep enough to hold the entire root balls. Handle the seedlings very carefully as they’re delicate and can be easily damaged. If you’re planning to grow okra indoors and transplanting them later, be sure to space them 9 to 10 inches apart. To grow Okra, sow the seeds 7-8 inches apart and ½ inches deep. You can enrich your soil by adding compost material. Okra grows well in soil that is packed with nutrients. If you would prefer not to change your soil’s Ph level, then simply add compost material to your soil to make it nutrition-rich. You can have your soil tested or check soil quality at home. The plant grows best in the soil with a PH level between 6.5-7. Follow one simple rule - the hotter, the better. Okra thrives in full-heat sun, place the plant in a spot that receives 5-6 hours of sunlight or else it won’t produce much fruit. However, if you live in warmer climates then you can directly plant them outdoors. Start by growing Lady Finger seeds indoors in pots and transplant them when the weather warms up. ![]()
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