Okra normally is grown from seed , and there is a skillful reason for that . Okra has a long taproot that can be injured during transplantation . In coolheaded climates , though , okra seedling can be transplant into cold frames or acquire tunnel at about the same time as okra seed can be sown directly into the garden . So successfully transplanted seedlings start producing pods preferably .
Why Okra’s Taproot Matters
Okra ’s root system grows out from a long taproot , so all of the wet and nutrient gathered from the stain return to that taproot before being sent up to the rest of the works . If the taproot is injured or the respite of the root organization is touch , the power of the root system to gather wet and nutrients and send the up to the leaves , blossom , and fuel pod is disturbed or damaged , and the plants endure for it and even die as a upshot . So successfully growing Hibiscus esculentus from seedlings requires taking precautions to avoid hurly burly to the solution system , but specially to the tap root .
When to Start Your Okra Seedlings
One way to decide when to start your seedling is to bet back six to eight workweek from when the conditions in your area stay systematically warm . If you are n’t using a grow burrow or a cold frame , that is when you will want to transpose it . you’re able to also count back three to four week from the last hoar date in your area which means that your okra should be quick for transplanting about two week after that last rime date .
Okra does not tolerate rime well , and for okra to rise well , daytime temperatures should be remain close to 85 ° F ( 29 ° C ) with nighttime temperatures around 60 ° F ( 16 ° C ) . This should be enough to warm the soil temperature to 65 ° F ( 18 ° deoxycytidine monophosphate ) . There are thermometer for measuring ground temperature , just in case you ’re wondering , but a heart thermometer also works .
Using Grow Tunnels and Cold Frames
Grow tunnels and insensate frames commonly are used to make glasshouse - like warmth for plant life that are sow in directly into the dry land . However , you also could transpose your okra inside a figure or tunnel . transfer your seeds inside of a tunnel or frame means that you could sow your source two weeks earlier so that your seedling can be transplant about the time of the last frost date rather of two weeks after it .
If you are concerned that temperatures may be too nerveless for your okra , you’re able to habituate a row cover under a grow tunnel for extra protection , or you cover plant in grow tunnels or cold frames with sheet . you’re able to also fill 1 - gallon milk jugs with water and come out them inside the cold frame or grow burrow . The water in the Milk River jugs absorbs heat during the day and then releases the warmth at night .
To create a grow tunnel , stoop PVC or bull pipes to form arch , cover the arches with 3 - mil , greenhouse - grade plastic , and cast anchor the charge plate with sandbags , brick , pave I. F. Stone , or rock . For a dusty frame , blast some lumber together or station a few bales of hay around you lady’s-finger patch and then underwrite the bale or the lumber build with onetime glass exhibitioner door or sure-enough window .
Unless you are planning to save germ to bear on a particular variety of okra or you designate to can , freeze down , and jam okra for the winter , you will only need a burrow or human body large enough for five or six works .
Starting Your Own Okra Seedlings
Okra seed have a hard coating , so to help them burgeon forth , you need to prepare the seeds for sow in in one of three way :
To protect the root organization , start your seed in peat starter pots rather than flats . fulfill the pots with a potting grease created for vegetables or herbs and vegetable . Place two seeds in each pot , and traverse them with 1/2 inch of soil . Keep the pots in a warm cheery area or place them under a grow brightness level or a coolheaded livid fluorescent fixture light . Check the soil about 1 inch below the surface to check that that it stay moist , but do n’t provide the soil at the surface to become muddy or to have water supply lay on it .
When your seedlings are 2 to 3 column inch improbable , select the impregnable plant and clip off the weak one .
Planting and Caring for Your Seedlings
If you buy your seedlings , leverage seedlings grown in individual starter pots . Do n’t purchase seedlings grow together in a flat because removing okra seedling from the soil in a flat almost unavoidably disturbs the roots .
Whether you purchase your seedling or start out them yourself , about one hour before you are going to transpose them , water them exhaustively .
There are concerns that peat starter pots interfere with base growing . To foresee this , when you are ready to begin transplanting , you could cautiously get out the territory around the root organisation entire while take the peat pot , or you could cut slits in the sides of the pot and put pot and all into your garden .
pose the seedlings so that they are 1 inch deeper in the earth than they were in the pots , and space them 18 to 24 inches aside in rows that are 2 to 3 feet apart .
Your okra seedling will arise slowly until the weather really heats up , so you will have to weed them . Be measured to plant only shade - loving plant near your okra , though , because once okra starts shooting up , it can easy loom over almost everything else .
