Article posted to you farm by Ayomi ( Free seeds on their way! )

Okra is an amazing vegetable used in many afro caribbean and indian dishes. its an amazingly excellent source of fibre, foliate, protein and vitamin c; a good addition to a balanced diet. Its renowned for its unctuous flavour and slimy texture. Ripe seeds can be used as a coffee substitute. Okra originates and is cultivated in west and east africa, south east asia, southern states in the us and more recently in the UK (even in our difficult climate)

GROWING OKRA IN THE UK

Okra is known for being quite a stubborn type sensitive to any changes in temprature. I have been growing okra for a few years now and have experienced okra as being quite sensitive to any changes at all. okra does need alot of sun and warmth and does alot better in a greenhouse than outside.

Many people are put of by okra because of the conditions needed to produce a decent crop or because they tried it previously and had put all their efforts into it and failed miserably or just simply didnt grow. DONT GIVE UP. By just simply taking on this advice you could produce a decent amount of okra pods.

Start by choosing a good variety. My personal favourite is 'pure luck f1'. its probably the best variety suited to british climates. Even though it produces small plants (which are aprox. 90 cm tall) its certainly the hardiest okra variety available in the uk with early producing fruit. 'Cajun delight' is also a good variety suited to cooler climates. its a vigorous variety that can grow upto 2m tall producing many green pods.

Soak your seeds for 24 hours prior to sowing. This softens the hard seed coating making it easier for the shoot to break through. Sow in good soil in individual pots about a cm deep. keep them at 14-18 degrees celsius. The seeds should germinate in 7-16 days. BE PATIENT.

Once the seedlings have let out their second set of leaves slowly adapt the temprature by moving them into a cooler area. not too cold.

Grow on in black pots in a greenhouse not less than 10 inch pots;black pots because black absorbs all the light and heat which okra loves. FEED okra with a general liquid fertiliser every week and water every day. try and keep the greenhouse humid.

I hope this has helped you or changed your view on okra.