How to grow okra from seeds in containers.
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Okra or lady’s finger is a flowering plant that is cultivated all year round in tropical climates. It is a drought-tolerant vegetable but not frost-tolerant. It is easy to grow okra from seeds.
Growing conditions for okra
You can grow okra in Sandy and Loamy soils. The minimum temperature needed for okra to grow is between 20 to 26°C (68°F to 80°F). You can start seeds indoors and transplant them when they grow 6 inches tall or you can sow the seeds directly in the containers.
If you are starting seeds indoors then sow the seeds 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date. Take a seed tray and fill it with seed starting mix. Then sow the seeds a half-inch deep. You can soak the seeds for 8 hours before you sow them. After your seeds have germinated and grown 6 inches tall you can transplant them to a container. When the temperatures have increased during the spring season you can transplant okra.
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How to grow okra from seeds in containers
- You can grow okra in a container that is at least 12 inches deep. Make sure the container has proper drainage holes in the bottom. Fill it with a potting mix that contains 10 % coarse sand, 15% perlite, 15% vermiculite and 60 % compost.
- You can soak the seeds for 8 hours before you sow them. Sow 2 to 3 seeds half an inch in a container. Then gently water. From these seeds. At least one will sprout.
- The seeds will germinate within a week. Keep the container in a place that receives 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day. After the seeds have germinated you can add compost once in 2 weeks.
- Okra will start to flower after 50 to 65 days. After okra has flowered you can see the pods within 5 to 7 days.
- You can pick the pods when they grow about 3 to 5 inches. When the pods exceed 6 inches they become too hard. This makes it difficult to eat them.
Pests and Diseases
Okra can get affected by mealy bugs, whiteflies, or aphids. You can sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the affected parts of the plant. This can kill the pests without harming the soil or the plants.
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