Okra Emerald

Okra Emerald — variety description

Okra Emerald (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an annual vegetable of the Mallow family (Malvaceae). A tall-growing plant that, if grown in suitable conditions, reaches 2 metres.

The leaves are bright green and heart-shaped. It has large, yellow flowers similar to hibiscus.

Bears early, round, smooth, deep green pods. Okra can be eaten raw or cooked, and the leaves can also be cooked.

It is added to salads, various dishes and preserves. There is hardly a garden where it is not grown.

Okra is a heat-loving vegetable for stews, soups and pickles. The plant is tall and ornamental, with flowers like those of a hollyhock.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 86%
• Seeds per packet: 30–41 pcs (2 g)
• Seed origin: USA
• Sowing: May and June; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: July and August
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Okra Emerald

Okra Emerald seeds are sown in May and June. The crop is harvested in July and August. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Okra Emerald

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 2–3 cm
• Spacing: 40–50 cm
• Germination: 7–14 days at 25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow in May–June. Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 30 cm and sow at a depth of about 2.5 cm. Bear in mind when planting that the soil must be warm and night temperatures well above freezing before sowing outdoors. The soil temperature should be kept above 15°C to ensure good germination. The Emerald variety likes a full-sun position, and remember to water often. Ready to harvest in 58 days, deep green in colour.

Soak the seeds for 12–24 hours. Sow in warm soil (above 18 °C) in sun; water moderately.

Harvest and use

Pick the pods young — at 5–8 cm, every other day. Larger ones become woody.

Frequently asked questions

When should Okra Emerald be sown?

The recommended sowing months are May and June. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 30–41 seeds, pack size 2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 86%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why is okra soaked before sowing?

The seed coat is hard — soaking for 12–24 hours speeds up germination by several days.