I'm curious about the best way to grow okra. In past seasons, I've had mixed results when I tried to direct sow them, but I know they have a tap root, which makes transplanting a bit tricky. For those of you who prefer transplanting, what's the smallest pot size you would suggest for starting them?
5 Answers
For starting seeds, I use 3.5" plastic nursery pots and plant them out when they’re still small, about 3 or 4 inches tall—usually about a week to ten days post-germination. If they grow too large, they're tougher to transplant. I avoid direct sowing because slugs and pill bugs can wipe them out right after they sprout!
Last year I_direct sowed my okra, and they grew just fine, even with some slug damage! This time around, I started them in solo cups, planting two seeds per cup in case one didn't sprout. All of them popped up, and I ended up with really tangled roots when trying to separate them. They’re now in 1-gallon pots, and I'm planning to transplant soon. I find okra is pretty resilient, especially in warm weather!
I'm giving okra a go over here in the UK, which feels like a challenge! I've tried growing them in pots, but the success has been mixed. It's good to know about the taproot issue—it sheds light on some of the struggles I've faced. I'll keep trying, though!
I direct sow about 4-5 seeds, but I often end up with too many plants afterward! Recently finished some frozen okra from my harvest—so good!
I usually go for direct sowing since it works out fine for me. If I happen to start seeds indoors, I use solo cups. I fill them about half an inch from the top with soil, drop in one seed in the center, and lightly cover it. Once they germinate and are around 2 inches tall with true leaves, they're ready to transplant. Just make sure not to wait too long—these guys really want their roots to settle in!
Yeah, okra really thrives in hot weather, so that could be part of the challenge for you. But it's definitely worth a try!