Growing Okra, also Ladyfinger, gumbo

Abelmoschus esculentus : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              S S S S S
T T               T T T
P P               P P P

(Best months for growing Okra in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 14 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine)

Your comments and tips

27 May 09, Prakash (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My okra plants came up very well, i saved them on very hot weather but i couldn't save them from ants & its all gone now. I used ant killer, spread them over the plants but ants were happily moving around & eating them.
24 Apr 09, sadia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown okra and they are bit yellowish and bit hard too. Is it ok to eat
23 Mar 09, Sue Marler (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there My first thoughts are to do a soil test - often soils from local stores are not always as 'organic' as they could be given the health regulations and processes before sale .....organic soils need healthy bacteria - one of the vital aspects of healthy organic soil. Create your own compost or worm farm and check the pH / mineral content of your soil too.
26 Aug 12, Maria Treffinger (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Can you buy okra in Australia? Do you find it in the supermarket? My niece is in Australia for the semester and wants to make gumbo. Thank you. Maria
24 Dec 08, nia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We live in western sydney and have planted some okra seeds, we prepared the garden bed with about 20cm thick organic soil from a local store. The okra plants germinated in 2 weeks OK. But it was not growing as we expected the tempeature was ranging 29-25C at that time. still they are about 9cm height and I could observe tiny buds on the plant. (after 2 months of planting). Any body help me to find out what went wrong?
03 Nov 08, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it advisable to cover the soil with black plastic. Right now it's about 18c but in a few weeks we'll expect 25-35c and up to around 40c at summers peak. Also I wanted to find out if it might be trying to grow okra in tubs, your advice greatly appreciated, thanks Gary
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