QUESTION : Can Abelmoschus esculentus be grow in spate ? Are they too big to plant in a container ? -Paul R.
ANSWER : Like most vegetables , gumbo is well suited to container gardening . To begin growing okra in pots or container , first , foot out a big locoweed made of whatever textile you prefer . The container should be at least three gallon or larger . For best consequence , a five - congius pot that is ten to 12 in deep with a like diam is the perfect size of it for a individual okra plant life . If you utilise a larger pot , you’re able to maturate a few industrial plant in it instead . It is skillful to nibble out a container that is opprobrious , because it will take out in extra warmth , which your okra plants will apprise .
When picking out your seeds , await for a dwarf Hibiscus esculentus variety that will not grow bigger than five feet tall . you could grow any variety of okra in a container , but midget varieties are well suited to container horticulture than other okra plant case . If you be in an area with shorter summer , pick out a smorgasbord that matures quickly .
Plant when the temperature begin to stay above 55–60 academic degree F and all risk of rime has die . Growing okra year - round is possible if you live in a subtropical or tropic region , or in USDA zone 9 - 11 . Due to its taproot , okra will not transfer well , so it ’s best to plant germ into your containers directly . Sow two or three okra seeds one one-half to one column inch deeply into each tidy sum . Water with a lachrymation can or a sprayer set on rain shower and place your containers in a bright , warm location . The territory require to stay dampish until your seed germinate , which takes about five to ten days after sow in come . The warmer the weather , the libertine sprouting will occur .
Once your seedling have sprout , pick a localisation that gets full sun for at least five to six minute per day , more if potential . Like other fertile southern vegetable such as tomatoes and peppers , okra needs great deal of sunshine to boom . The potting territory you use for okra should be loamy , crumbly , and well - draining . Soilless pot commixture rich in constitutive matter work wonderfully . Otherwise , you could impart in a mint of constituent affair , such as compost , or aged - manure to give a constant supply of indispensable nutrients to your gumbo plants .
Keep the stain ( or soilless average ) slenderly moist at all times , water regularly to keep the soil uniformly moist . give close attention to the wet levels of the soil during the most critical period of growth , from the starting time of the flowering menstruum until the final stage of production .
The most authoritative factor in growing skilful Abelmoschus esculentus is the temperature , as okra demand a lot of heat . The plant can maturate above 50 degrees F , but to flower and bear fruit with copiousness , the temperature needs to be around 75 to 95 degrees . Okra works can tolerate gamy temperature very well but will break down to develop pods when the temperature let too cool .
To fertilize , mingle manure into the dirt to give food to your plants and side preen the plant occasionally with it as well . At the time of planting , you may also add together a balanced plant food for an extra nutrient rise if you would like . Once the plant turn over six inches in tiptop , add a Cupid’s itch of balanced fertilizer again . If the grime is nitrogen rich , adding balanced fertilizer may angle the scales , promoting vegetive growth at the disbursement of fruiting , so do what you could to keep the balance by keeping an eye on your pH levels . Later on in the growing process , feed the plant with lower nitrogen fertilizers instead of balanced blends , like a 5 - 10 - 15 , or 6 - 12 - 12 .
Okra ego pollinates , so there is no indigence to worry about pollenation . As long as you pick out a gnome variety for container growing , there is also no penury to worry about pinching or topping , as your plant will not develop high than five feet tall . Okra is often harry by fusarium wilt disease and is also susceptible to flack from nematodes , aphids , and whiteflies . These problem are commonly only an issue when rise okra in big amount , however , and should be easy to hold in in smaller container gardens .
Okra will bloom about two months after planting and the fruits will begin to appear about 5 - 7 days afterwards . Okra will demand frequent harvesting , and fuel pod should be harvested while they are still affectionate or they will become too unchewable and too hard for consumption . The best time to pick your pod are when they are between three and five inches in distance . deform the baksheesh of any yield and if it break with ease , it is still tender and quick for picking .
