Okra Is Produced Primarily in the South As Main Dish Vegetable, and for Gumbos

by W. D. Kimbrough, L. G. Jones, and J. F. Fontenot.

W. D. Kimbrough is Professor Emeritus, and L. G. Jones and J. F. Fontenot are Professors in the Department of Horticulture, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) is a member of the mallow family, closely related to Chinese hibiscus and to cotton. Its beginnings are uncertain, but it probably originated in Africa or Asia and was brought to America by the Spanish. Okra is a warm weather plant. Under ideal conditions a perennial, it is grown in the United States as an annual, since cold usually kills it here.

Grown extensively in home gardens in the South, okra is commonly served as a main dish vegetable. It can be used fresh or may be frozen or canned.

The immature seed pods, produced over a relatively long period if harvested regularly, are the edible part of the okra plant. Okra is especially important to the lower South, where not many vegetables are productive from midsummer through early fall. Most home gardens of the South should have a place for okra. However, in small gardens there may not be room, as the plants get fairly large and occupy the space for a long time.

Okra is grown to some extent in Northern gardens, but due to the shorter growing season the yields will not be as large as in the South.

Composition of okra pods varies somewhat with growing conditions and stage of maturity. The more immature the pods, the less food value they have. They consist mainly of water and carbohydrates, like most vegetables. Several vitamins and minerals also are present.

Okra contains mucilaginous material that some people object to, as it makes certain okra dishes seem slimy. This material, however, is what makes okra so desirable in soups and gumbos.

Okra grows on a wide range of soil types and tolerates large variations in soil reaction (pH). Good drainage is essential. This does not mean just surface runoff, but that water will percolate through the soil.

Any good garden soil should be satisfactory, although a sandy loam soil with a porous clay subsoil is ideal. Adding manure or organic matter in some other form is usually helpful. Also, it is generally a good idea to apply a complete fertilizer, relatively high in phosphorus, before planting the seed.

From 1 to 1.5 pounds of 6-12-6 fertilizer per 25 feet of row may be used in a garden, or a similar amount of nutrients provided by another grade and rate. It should be worked in to a depth of about 4 inches.

As okra has a long growing season, application of additional readily available nitrogen during the season is often beneficial, especially on lighter soil types. If this is done, 2 moderate applications of nitrogen fertilizer 4 to 6 weeks apart would be preferable to 1 heavy application.

When fertilizing okra, give care to the rate and timing of nitrogen applications. This is because of the plant's tendency to become excessively vegetative and produce few pods if excessive nitrogen is available. Excess nitrogen can result from either applying too much fertilizer or breakdown of soil organic matter during the growing season.

Include only light to moderate rates of nitrogen in the preplanting fertilizer, especially on soil relatively high in organic matter. Withhold the first side-dressing of nitrogen until after a few pods have set on each plant. Then you may make a moderate application of nitrogen fertilizer (1/8 to 1/4 pound of ammonium nitrate or equivalent per 25 feet of row, depending on organic matter content of the soil). At this time, the plants usually will be about knee-high, depending on the variety.

As the season progresses and the plants reach a height of waist to shoulder, they may require a second moderate application of nitrogen fertilizer as side-dressing, especially if you intend to harvest pods late in the season.

Okra plants showing hibiscus-type flower and young tender pods.

Important Varieties

Okra varieties differ considerably in size of plants and shape of pods. Height of plant will vary from 5 to 10 feet after a few months of growth. Length of the internodes and the degree of lateral branching both of which are influenced by the plant's genetic makeup as well as growing conditions determine size of the plant. Dwarf varieties have shorter inter-nodes.

Pod shape ranges from short to long and from nearly round to very ridged. Pod diameter also varies.

Okra varieties and strains differ greatly in plant growth, pod pigmentation, leaves, and stems. They also vary in leaf shape and flowers. Thus, okra may be enjoyed by the homeowner for ornamental purposes as well as for food.

Seed catalogs usually list about six varieties. A short description of the most important varieties follows: Clemson Spineless is of medium plant height, about 5 feet; mature pods are 5 to 6 inches long, moderately ridged, straight, and green. The pods are very smooth and have few spines. The first fruit for harvest matures in about 55 days. It can be used fresh or processed.

Emerald is also of medium height, about 5 feet, with mature pods 8 inches long. The pods are straight, round, smooth, very slender and deep green. Production starts some 50 days from planting, and pods can be used fresh or processed.

Louisiana Green Velvet is medium-tall, 7 to 9 feet, with mature pods about 7 inches long, slender, round, straight, and green. Production starts about 60 days after planting. Pods can be used fresh or processed.

Perkins Mammoth Long Pod is very tall, 10 to 12 feet; mature pods are 7 to 8 inches long, ridged and green. The first fruit for harvest matures in about 60 days. It can be used fresh or processed.

Gold Coast is of medium plant height, about 4 1/2 feet; mature pods are short and round, green, straight, and about 3 to 4 inches long. The first fruit is ready for harvest in some 55 days. It has a long shelf life, and is recommended for fresh use only.

Size of the garden plot may determine the variety to plant. Smaller growing plants may be preferable in gardens that aren't very big.

As okra is a warm weather vegetable, don't plant it until the soil warms up in spring. If early okra is desired, place black plastic on the rows prepared for planting. Or grow plants in peat pots and transplant them to the garden when the soil is warm enough.