Okra

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Okra is also known by various names: edible hibiscus, okra, gombo, and ladies' fingers. This crop originated in tropical Africa and is an annual plant belonging to the mallow family.

Actually, okra is very reminiscent of a purely outwardly simple garden mallow. The plant is characterized by a tall, thick stem, large five- or seven-lobed green leaves, as well as a flower in the axils. However, even the flowers will not be as spectacular as those of the same mallow or hibiscus, which is also called the Chinese rose. Okra has edible fruits that look like a kind of elongated boxes that can be both smooth and multifaceted. These pods look like big pepper pods.

As for the taste, it will be extremely delicate and neutral in okra. You should not wait until the fruits are finally ripe: they should be cut off when they reach the age of 3-6 days. Otherwise, the fruit may become completely inedible. Actually, it is for the sake of these fruits that okra is grown literally everywhere, this will also explain such an abundance of various names of culture.

In Russia, it is difficult to call okra a novelty: the fact is known that even Anton Pavlovich Chekhov grew this crop in his own garden. It is possible that, being also a doctor, he knew about the beneficial medicinal properties of okra. Chopped okra root can relieve coughing, and the mucous substances contained in okra capsules will help with gastritis and ulcers.

In the south of Russia and Ukraine, this plant has been grown for a very long time, but for the middle lane, the cultivation of okra will become possible only through seedlings.

Growing seedlings

The seeds of this crop sprout rather slowly: this process will take about two to three weeks. If, before sowing, the seeds are soaked in warm water for a day, the germination process can be somewhat accelerated. The optimum temperature for growing will be a temperature of 18-21 degrees. Regular watering is an integral part of proper okra maintenance.

There are many varieties of okra, which will differ among themselves both in shape, color, ripening time, and in the height of the final plant and in the size of its fruits.

Okra has a special love for warmth, so seedlings can only be grown outdoors in already heated soil. This should be done after the end of spring frosts, and for the middle lane it is recommended to plant seedlings after mid-June. Okra needs sun rays and fertile soil.

The distance between plants in the garden should be about 40 centimeters, and the row spacing should be at least seventy centimeters. Regular loosening of the soil and weeding is recommended. Before the okra blooms, top dressing should be done using combined mineral fertilizers. For example, nitrophoska is optimal: at the rate of two tablespoons per ten liters of water. When fruiting begins, potash nitrate will need to be added, the ratio will remain the same. Okra has increased resistance to droughts, however, during the fruiting period and subject to dry weather, it will be necessary to regularly and abundantly water the beds. Nevertheless, with such intensive watering, excessive soil moisture and the appearance of water stagnation should not be allowed.

After about two months, the plants will bloom and then harvest time will come very soon. When the boxes are four to six centimeters in size, they should be removed. This happens every 3-6 days. Until the onset of frost, the plant will bear fruit.

It should be noted that the fruits cannot be stored in the refrigerator for more than a few days. Therefore, okra is canned, dried or frozen. You can use not only pods, but also unripe seeds. And from ripe seeds, you can brew coffee, which will be called gombo.