When is the best time to plant okra?

Okra, known as the "king of vegetables ", is highly regarded for its rich nutritional value and health benefits. This vegetable has certain requirements for the temperature of the growing environment. It prefers warm and mild climatic conditions and is very sensitive to frost. Let’s learn below: When is the best time to plant okra?

When is the best time to plant okra?

Okra prefers warm climates and is afraid of frost, so the best time to plant it is usually spring. When the temperature exceeds 25℃, the seeds are more likely to take root and germinate. The specific planting time will vary from region to region, but generally speaking: the southern region mostly sows in February, the northern region sows in early to mid-May, and the North China region generally sows in mid-to-late April to May.

Key points for planting okra

1. Seed soaking and germination

In order to increase the germination rate, seeds are usually soaked and germinated before sowing. Soak the seeds in clean water for about 12 hours, then place them in an environment of 25-30℃, and sow them after 60-70% of the seeds germinate.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

Choose a location with deep soil and plenty of sunlight for planting. Okra is not suitable for continuous cropping, so the previous crop should not be fruit or vegetable. Deep ploughing is carried out in winter, and well-rotted manure and compound fertilizer are applied. The land is then raked and leveled to make ridges.

3. Sowing and seedling raising

Seedlings are raised in March, and the seedbed is prepared using garden soil, organic fertilizer and fine sand. Sow seeds at a row spacing of 10 cm, cover with 2 cm of soil, and keep the temperature at around 25°C. Wait until the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves before transplanting.

4. Field management

Thin out the seeds in time after germination, remove diseased, weak and small seedlings, and leave 2 plants in each hole. Carry out timely inter-row cultivation and weeding, once every 10 days or so. Before the first flower blooms, strengthen tillage and properly thin the seedlings to promote root development. Before closing the ridges, cultivate the soil to prevent the plants from falling over.

5. Fertilizer and water management

Okra is relatively drought- and moisture-resistant, and requires higher air and soil humidity during its growth period, especially sufficient water during the flowering and fruiting period. On the basis of applying sufficient base fertilizer, appropriate topdressing should be applied. The first topdressing should be done after seedlings emerge, with 6 to 7 kg of urea per mu.

8. Setting up a rack to pick leaves

In summer, a support should be set up to prevent the plant from falling over. A 1-meter-long bamboo pole or branch can be inserted next to the roots of the plant to support the plant. In the early stage of growth, prevent excessive vegetative growth that causes excessive growth. In the middle and late stages, remove the old leaves below the harvested young fruits in time. The fruits left for seeds should be topped off in time to promote their maturity and improve seed quality.

9. Harvest at the right time

Okra will bloom and produce pods from the time the plant is sown to about 30 cm in height and has 7-9 true leaves. It takes about 60 days for the first tender fruit to form. In the future, the entire harvesting period will last for 60-100 days, and the entire growing period can reach about 120 days, or even longer.

10. Seed storage

The seed collection technology is relatively simple. To avoid inhibiting growth and reducing yield, the early lower fruits should not be kept for seeds. The fruit pods at the top of the plant are difficult to fully mature and should not be kept for seeds. It is advisable to select the old and mature pods in the middle of the strong plant with full grains that meet the characteristics of this variety. After drying, threshing and cleaning, they should be stored in cloth bags for later use.

The above is an introduction to the best planting time and planting points for okra, which can effectively plant okra and ensure its healthy growth and good yield.