Okra – Annual vegetable – 35 seeds – Summer harvest

Main Characteristics:

Botanical Name: Abelmoschus esculentus

Common Name: Okra

Type: Annual Vegetable

Number of Seeds: 35

Sowing Period: April to May (under cover) or May-June outdoors, after the last frosts

Maturity: 50 to 70 days after sowing

Mature Height: 100–150 cm

Exposure: Full Sun

Hardiness: Not frost-hardy, requires a minimum temperature of 15–18°C to germinate

Description:

Okra, also called okra, is a vegetable of tropical origin prized for its elongated green pods. It is widely used in Caribbean, African and Asian cuisines, particularly for soups, stews and stir-fries. It is ideal for growing in sunny gardens.

Uses:

Eat fresh in stir-fries, soups (okra), or stews

Harvest young pods for a tender texture

Can be preserved by drying or freezing

Sowing and Cultivation:

Sowing:

Sowing Time: Sow in pots under cover (greenhouse, veranda) in April-May, or directly outdoors in May-June when temperatures reach at least 15–18°C.

Depth: Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep.

Spacing: Transplant or thin to 50–60 cm between plants and 60–80 cm between rows.

Germination: Germination takes 7 to 14 days at a moderate soil temperature between 20 and 25°C. Soaking the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before sowing can accelerate germination.

Cultivation:

Soil: Rich in organic matter, light, and well-drained. Okra tolerates dry soils once established.

Watering: Regular watering at the beginning of cultivation. In summer, thorough but infrequent watering promotes good root development.

Fertilization: Apply compost or a potassium-rich fertilizer before planting.

Maintenance: Lightly mound soil around the plants to stabilize them.

Remove weeds regularly.

Harvest:

Time: Harvest the pods 50 to 70 days after sowing, when they are 5 to 10 cm long and still tender.

Method: Cut the pods with pruning shears or a knife every 2–3 days. Regular harvesting stimulates production.

Caution: Do not let the pods grow too large, as they will become fibrous and less pleasant to eat.

Tips:

Okra is a plant that is quite resistant to heat and drought once established.

In regions with short summers, sow under cover to ensure proper ripening.

Packaging:

35 seeds.