Growing okra in a pot is ideal for those who live in small apartments and want to grow their own food.
The plants are green with red, pink or white flowers which form at the end of long stems, colors vary depending on the variety grown.
Okra forms a delicious, edible pod that is widely used in cooking.
Sow Okra between March and April indoors or in a propagator at room temperature of 16°C (60°F) or higher. When the seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant them into pots of compost, keep them warm. Five to six okra plants will produce enough okra for most people.
Where to get okra seeds from?
You’ll find okra seeds at most garden centers and possible other related stores.
The seed is cheap and normally sourced from plants that have been grown in controlled conditions the prior season.
You’ll also find a wide selection of okra seeds here on Amazon.
How to start growing okra from seed?
Okra is an annual meaning that it will grow, flower and produce fruit in one season.
The best time to sow your okra seeds is between March and April and, for best results, you should sow them in a propagator indoors.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transfer them into 3 to 4 inch pots of good quality potting compost.
Keep them warm and well watered.
If the plants get cold or dry out then this will affect their ability and they may not recover from chills.
- Built-in Heater: iPower Heating Propagation Tray comes with a vented humidity dome, which can help regulate moisture and temperature for your germinating seeds. It is designed with built-in heating element and 100% waterproof construction
- 3-in-1 Design: Flat tray, cell tray and humidity dome, 3-in-1 design. 24 Cell plug insert seedling tray with round drain holes fits snugly in the propagation flat tray. Overall size: 15. 1″L x 9. 5″W x 7. 5″H, easy to carry around and transport
- Easy to Use: Ideal for seed propagation, especially in cold temperature. It will keep the seedling at a constant temperature of 104℉ (40℃)
- Energy Saving: Uses only 9 watts (110V). Provides gentle warmth to the planting bed and increasing root growth
- Package Includes: Kit includes: 24 site Seed Cell Tray Insert Heat Propagation Tray Humidity controlled 5in Propagation Dome with Vents. Comes with everything you need in this kit to start your seedlings
How long does it take for okra to grow?
Your okra will mature in around 10 weeks.
The plants will produce fruit for about 10 to 12 weeks after which they will cease to be productive.
If they are grown outdoors then they may survive until after the first frost.
How big a pot does okra need?
For each plant you will need a 10 inch diameter pot.
Make sure that it has drainage holes in the base to prevent waterlogging and use a good quality potting compost when planting.
What is the best fertilizer to use on okra?
It is vital to keep your okra plants well fed.
There is a wide range of fertilizers that are suitable for okra but one of the best is the Miracle Gro Nature’s Choice.
Many okra growers have had great results with this plant food.
What growing conditions does okra like?
Okra will grow best indoors, in a warm sunny position.
When sown outdoors keep them sheltered during their first few days or weeks as they are susceptible to cold.
Okra likes well drained, moisture retentive soil that is rich in organic matter.
A lot of gardeners prefer to grow okra in raised beds.
- Name: Clemson Spineless Okra | Type: Heirloom
- Size at Maturity: 3″ Green Pods | Days to Maturity: 60 Days
- Light Requirement: Full Sun | Planting Time: Warm Season
- Planting Depth: 1/4″ | Plant Spacing: 12″ |Hardiness Zones: All
How do you water okra?
Water your plants regularly when the top inch or two of the compost starts to feel dry.
It is vital to keep the compost moist but never let water stand in the saucer underneath.
Some gardeners water their okra using a drip feed system which is ideal and typically produce larger plants than those grown by hand watering.
Is it difficult to grow okra?
Okra is a very easy plant to grow, however you do have to be careful with it.
It is susceptible to a wide range of pests and diseases including aphids, white fly, flea beetle, downy mildew and powdery mildew.
To keep the bugs at bay try planting some neem seed which will naturally repel most insects that your okra may attract.
It also works well as a foliar spray which can be used to treat many plant diseases.
How tall and wide does okra grow?
Once established okra will grow to around 2 feet in height and, under ideal conditions, the plants can reach a width of 24 inches.
Under normal growing conditions okra produces a lot of food for its size which makes it both an attractive and productive plant.
When should I pick my okra?
Depending upon your growing conditions and how you want to use them you can either pick your okra pods when they are young or let them grow on.
For use in the kitchen you should pick the pods when they 2 to 3 inches long, if you leave them for longer they will quickly become tough and inedible.
If you want seeds from your plants or plan to use the okra stems and pods for floral decorations, then leave them on the plant until they begin to turn brown and hard.
Final Words
Okra plants are a very hardy plant that can be grown in pots, as long as the pot is deep enough to accommodate the height of the plant.
You should also make sure you have plenty of room for your okra plants because they will grow quickly and produce lots of pods.
