How to grow okra on the balcony

What is Okra

Okra, also known as coffee okra, yellow okra, commonly known as lady's fingers, and okra, because it looks similar to chili pepper, it is also called "foreign pepper". Okra is native to Africa near today's Ethiopia and tropical Asia, so it prefers to grow in a warm and humid environment. The edible part is the pod, which comes in two types: red and green. Okra is crispy, juicy, smooth and not greasy, with a unique taste. It is a common dish on many family tables.

Tools and materials preparation

Planting container with a depth of more than 20 cm, culture soil with base fertilizer, okra seedlings, compound fertilizer, transplanting shovel, scissors

Steps to grow okra on the balcony

Step 1: In March and April, the temperature rises and spring flowers bloom. At this time, buy okra seedlings, soak them for 12 hours, then place them at 25-35℃ to germinate. After the seeds "break", take out the prepared flowerpots, first add a layer of potting bottom stones in the pot, and then cover it with a layer of culture soil, about six-tenths full. When removing the seedlings from the pot, do not break up the root plate. Just plant them directly in the culture soil containing basal fertilizer with the root plate.

Step 2: Evenly pile the culture soil around the root tray until it is 90% full. Note that the distance between two seedlings should be within 30-50cm, so only two can be planted in a 45cm pot.

Step 3: Press the soil around the plant to stabilize it, then water it until excess water flows out of the small holes at the bottom of the pot.

Step 4: After completing the first three steps, wait patiently for 30-40 days, and the okra will bloom beautiful and lovely flowers, which will become a beautiful landscape on the balcony at home. The okra fruits can be harvested five or six days after they bloom, and then you can eat the delicious okra that you grew yourself!

Processing after maturity

Okra will grow axillary buds during its growth process after bearing fruit. These buds should be cut off with scissors. Even if there are fruits on the axillary buds, they should be cut off decisively. Only in this way can the harvest be increased. As the saying goes, "Give and take, only by giving can you gain."

After you start harvesting fruits (about 45 days later), fertilize twice a month, applying fertilizer just below the front of the outstretched leaves. Be sure to apply fertilizer on time every month. Only in this way can you grow healthy and green okra.

When okra bears fruit, it is important to harvest it in time, otherwise the pods will gradually become hard and affect the taste.

These are basically the steps to grow okra on the balcony. I hope that everyone can grow fresh and delicious okra on the balcony according to the methods introduced by the editor!