The English word 'okra' is derived from the Twi word 'nkuruma' and is famous in the United States as the thickening agent in the gumbo stews of Louisiana. According to the book " Food Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa," by Fran Osseo-Asare: "Okra is another indigenous West African vegetable that has spread globally. Okra's a beloved staple in other regions, such as the American South, parts of Africa and the Mediterranean. I admit, if okra hadn't been included in our CSA share these past few weeks, I would probably still be unacquainted with it-and I'm still not exactly in love.īut hey, I'm from New England. Its prickly skin can sting your fingers, and slicing into it reveals little more than seeds and slime. Plants wilt (sometimes on just one side) in daytime leaves turn yellow (lower ones first) later, entire plant wilts/dies stunting stem cross section reveals brown discolorationĭestroy infected plants avoid excessive nitrogen in acidic soils, raise pH to 7.Okra's a strange little vegetable, the kind of thing you might not guess was edible if no one told you. Grow companion plants knock off with water spray apply insecticidal soap put banana or orange peels around plants wipe leaves with a 1 to 2 percent solution of dish soap (no additives) and water every 2 to 3 days for 2 weeks add native plants to invite beneficial insects Misshapen/yellow leaves distorted flowers/fruit sticky “honeydew” (excrement) sooty, black mold Regardless of type, irritation does not occur when you eat okra. “Spineless” types have pods that don’t present this problem. ![]() ![]() Note: Okra has large, hairy leaves, as well as tiny spines on its pods, both of which may cause skin irritation consider wearing gloves and/or long sleeves when handling. The plants grow back and product another crop of okra. In warm regions, some growers cut plants to about 2 feet when productivity slows in summer.Prune the tops of okra plants when they reach 5 to 6 feet tall.One inch of water per week is ideal, but use more if you are in a hot, arid region. Keep the plants well watered throughout the summer months.When the seedlings are about 3 inches tall, thin the plants so that they are 18 to 24 inches apart.Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting. Avoid too much nitrogen, which deters flowering and encourages leafy growth. You could also apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Side-dress the plants with 10-10-10, aged manure, or rich compost (1/2 pound per 25 feet of row). ![]()
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