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 S        
      T T T T T T      
      P P P P P P      

(Best months for growing Okra in Australia - 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 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 35 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine)

Your comments and tips

12 Sep 13, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)
I saw some in Bunnings today. Not cheap though. $7 for 6 seedlings all bunched together in one pot. Asian groceries sell packets of the seeds.
24 Mar 13, Brenda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a crop of Ockra now starting to harvest and notice the leaves are all drooping and very sticky would like to know if I can prevent this.
14 Feb 13, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
I am going to try to grow okra now and I am hoping to take the plants indoors when the weather gets cold - I love eating okra and seem to hunt it down more in winter - hope it works
22 Oct 12, Gary (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I live in New Orleans louisiana, united states. I grew about 56 plants this year and enjoyed them very much... A wonderful way to cook them is to stir fry them. All you do is wash them, then cut them onto rings put in a bowl and add italian bread crumbs and salt and pepper and mix. Then take a frying pan and add butter. When the butter is hot add the okra.. cook and stir occasionally til they are crisp.. very good taste.
13 Oct 12, Heywood (Australia - temperate climate)
does anyone know if black (swamp) wallabies, satin bowerbirds or sulphur-crested cockatoos attack okra ?
29 Dec 12, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
probably, YUM
21 Nov 12, paul (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I know wallabies & most birds dont bother them. In 2456 nsw
11 Oct 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Okra does indeed grow in the cool areas, it just needs a bit of help to establish. I put an old plastic milk bottle over the plant until it fills the bottle, then away it goes. Just pick the warmest part of your garden. I got a small crop last year because of the cold Summer, but should have heaps this year.
07 Oct 12, Danny (Australia - temperate climate)
I first planted okra in 2011 .Now I can use my own seed , just about every seed germinated when I planted in the first week of october 2012
28 Aug 12, ToonZie (Australia - temperate climate)
Also, 4 seasons seeds (google it I think 4seasonsseeds.com.au or something similar) has two varieties of okra available. I have to assume they are good quality as every other seed I've bought from them has been. They even tend to send me freebie seed packs along with my orders sometimes. I never buy seeds from eBay, bunnings or grocery stores. I only use reputable online suppliers or seed swaps.
Showing 141 - 150 of 236 comments

The species is a perennial, often cultivated as an annual in temperate climates, and often grows to around 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall. It is related to such species as cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus. Google it if you need more info.

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