Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Also known asLady's fingers · Bhindi · Gumbo · Bamia · Quingombo
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates. Strict on light; outside the DLI band, yields drop sharply.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 9–13 (winter low around -7°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: heavy. Thin-channel systems can't hold this crop.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | low |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| flowering | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2.4 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2.8 |
Companion-growing notes
- Heavy uptake of potassium, phosphorus. Co-grown crops with the same demand will end up deficient even at "correct" EC.
- High transpiration. Regular reservoir top-ups needed during fruiting.
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A heat-loving crop for warm hydroponic greenhouses. Large containers (15 L) or media beds. EC 2.0-3.0 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.0. Temperature: 25–35°C (strictly warm-season; growth stalls below 18°C). Very high light (DLI 20-30 mol/m2/day). The plants are large (1–2 m) and need staking. From transplant to first harvest: 55-65 days. Harvest pods every 1-2 days when they're 5–8 cm long and still tender; overripe pods become woody, fibrous, and inedible within days. This rapid maturity window is the main management challenge. Each plant produces 30-50+ pods over a season with diligent harvesting. Pruning the main stem at 60 cm height promotes branching and more pod-producing sites. For minimal sliminess: roast whole pods at 220°C with oil until charred, or slice thinly and stir-fry over very high heat until dry and crispy. For gumbo: embrace the slime; it's the point. Seed germination improves with overnight soaking before planting.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson Spineless | open pollinated | 60 | 1939 AAS winner, the US-South standard. Spineless plants (older varieties had irritating spines on pods and stems). Productive bush habit reaching 1.5m. Pick pods at 7-10cm; larger pods go fibrous. |
| Burgundy | open pollinated | 55 | 1988 AAS winner. Deep red pods on red-stemmed plants. Pods stay tender to slightly larger size than Clemson Spineless (up to 12cm). Color fades to green when cooked. |
| Star of David | heirloom | 75 | Israeli heirloom. Fat ribbed pods (Star of David cross-section) that stay tender at 15-20cm size, much larger than typical okra harvest window. Plants reach 2.5m; trellis or use as a structural backdrop. |