Okra Plant Varieties Lean About Different Types Of Okra Plants

13 Okra Varieties to Love

Baby Bubba Hybrid. 'Baby Bubba' Hybrid seeds are available from Burpee in packages of 60. ...
Blondy. 'Blondy' seeds are available from True Leaf Market in one-ounce, four-ounce, and one-pound packages. ...
Burgundy. ...
Cajun Delight. ...
Clemson Spineless. ...
Cow Horn. ...
Emerald. ...
Go Big.

How many kinds of okra are there?

Okra is available in two varieties, green and red. Red okra carries the same flavor as the more popular green okra and differs only in color. When cooked, the red okra pods turn green.

What is the difference between red okra and green okra?

Generally speaking, okra pods are green and a staple of many a southern diet. ... In fact, there really isn't much difference between red okra and green okra other than the color. And when red okra is cooked, alas, it loses its red hue and the pods turn green.

What does spineless okra mean?

Clemson Spineless is a dark-green straight variety that has pointed pods and is without spines. Okra is a warm-season vegetable that thrives in the heat of summer.

What is purple okra?

Red, sometimes called magenta or purple okra, makes an unusual and fun addition to an ornamental garden. Plants with their red star-shaped pods poking through red stems and green leaves can be interposed in an ornamental bed when space in the summer vegetable garden is limited.

What is the best month to plant okra?

For the best yields, plant okra in the spring 2 to 3 weeks after all danger of frost has passed. For a good fall crop, plant at least 3 months before the first fall frost.

What is the best okra to plant?

Here are thirteen top varieties with info on where to buy seeds, so you can get started on this year's gardening.

Cow Horn. ...
Emerald. ...
Go Big. ...
Hill Country Red. ...
Louisiana Green Velvet. ...
Perkins Long Pod. ...
Red Velvet. ...
Silver Queen. 'Silver Queen' is a southern belle who loves the heat of summer, and isn't tolerant of cold weather.

What are the side effects of eating okra?

Risks and precautions

Eating too much okra can adversely affect some people. Gastrointestinal problems: Okra contains fructans, which is a type of carbohydrate. Fructans can cause diarrhea, gas, cramping, and bloating in people with existing bowel problems. Kidney stones: Okra is high in oxalates.

Is Epsom salt good for okra?

Some people add Epsom salt for okra, but this is not universally recommended. Epsom salts are made out of sulfur and magnesium, two ingredients from which okra can benefit. However, care needs to be taken when it comes to applying Epsom salt for okra, since it can easily kill okra plants when overapplied.

How do you make okra produce more?

Using organic fertilizer will help boost pod production. Adding compost around the base of the plant mid-season will give it a boost so it keeps producing. Especially mid-way through the season, when the okra plants are 18″ – 24″ tall, they will benefit from nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer.

What can you not plant near okra?

Okra should not be planted in soil previously utilized to grow vine crops such as sweet potatoes and squash as these crops tend to increase nematode population in soil. Nematodes feast on young okra roots, causing wilt and galls on the roots, which diminishes fruit yield.

How many okra plants do I need?

Because of the long growing season and hearty production, four or five plants usually produce enough okra for most families. More plants may be needed, though, to can or freeze okra for use during the winter. While old seed pods cannot be eaten, they are perfect for dried flower arrangements.

Should you top okra plants?

As okra plants age through the summer, they tend to top out and produce a declining number of pods. Market price for okra typically declines sharply as well. At this point in production, cutting back or topping your okra will allow plantings to reestablish themselves.

Can you eat okra raw?

The entire okra plant is edible. ... Okra pods can even be eaten raw. The less cooked okra is, the better it is for you. It's high in fiber, folate, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C.

Are okra good for you?

Okra is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Okra is also a good source of: Magnesium.

What color should Okra be?

Harvest typically occurs 3 to 7 days after flowering. Okra should be harvested when the fruit is bright green, the pod is fleshy and seeds are small. After that period, the pod becomes pithy and tough, and the green color and mucilage content decrease.

Do okra plants come back every year?

When planting okra in more temperate climates, this perennial plant becomes an annual and must be replanted each year. To plant okra it is best to soak the seeds overnight to improve germination.

How many okra are in a 5 gallon bucket?

3 plants in a 5 gallon bucket would be pushing it in my opinion. Visit Fusion_power's homepage! I grew Clemson Okra in 5 gallon pots for the first time this year... great success.

Can okra grow in pots?

You can grow any variety of okra in a container, but dwarf varieties are better suited to container gardening than other okra plant types. ... Due to its taproot, okra will not transplant well, so it's best to plant seeds into your containers directly. Sow two or three okra seeds one half to one inch deep into each pot.

How do you keep okra plants short?

Cut away the main stem of the okra plant with pruning shears to its desired height. Remove any of the plant's fast-growing lateral stems with the pruning shears to control its spread.

How do you care for an okra plant?

Growing. When okra is 4 inches tall, mulch to keep out weeds and conserve moisture. Water during dry spells and side-dress with compost every three to four weeks. In areas with long, hot summers, cut the plants back almost to ground level in midsummer and fertilize to produce a second crop.

How do you grow okra step by step?

Sow the seeds or plant the seedlings. When the weather is warm, it's time to plant the okra in your garden. Sow your seeds 4 inches (10.2 cm) apart at a depth of ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm). If you started your seeds indoors, handle the seedlings very carefully and plant them 1 foot (0.3 m) apart in rows 3 feet (0.9 m) apart.