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Okra — Abelmoschus esculentus

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Okra — Abelmoschus esculentus

layout: base.njk title: Okra description: Growing Okra in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: warm-season

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Annual
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow)
Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hours)
Water: Moderate (1" per week)
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Hardiness: Annual (frost-tender, extremely heat-loving)

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Per plant: 1-3 lbs (depends on harvest frequency)
  • Per 10' row: 20-40 lbs (5-8 plants)
  • Notes: Okra is extremely productive—3-5 plants usually sufficient for family. Harvest every 1-2 days; pods become woody quickly. Plants continue producing until frost. Wear gloves when harvesting (hairs cause irritation).

🏺 Heirloom Varieties

'Clemson Spineless'

  • Source: Baker Creek (rareseeds.com), Southern Exposure (southernexposure.com), multiple companies
  • Days: 56 days
  • Notes: Standard American variety. Green pods, 4-5", no spines (as name suggests). Reliable producer. Heat-tolerant. Introduced 1930s. Best all-around variety for Zone 6.

'Louisiana Green Velvet'

  • Source: Southern Exposure, Baker Creek
  • Days: 60 days
  • Notes: Dark green pods, 4-6". Tender, never woody if harvested及时. Smooth pods. Heat-tolerant. Traditional Southern variety. Excellent flavor.

'Burmese'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org)
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: From Burma/Myanmar. Slender pods, 3-4". Red flowers. Tender, sweet. Heat-loving. Beautiful ornamental. Good for stir-fry.

'Red Okra'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 58 days
  • Notes: Red pods turn green when cooked. Red flowers. Beautiful in garden. Sweet, tender. Heat-tolerant. Kids love the color.

'Cow Horn'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek
  • Days: 60 days
  • Notes: Long, curved pods (6-8") resembling cow horns. Green. Tender even at larger size. Traditional Southern heirloom. Good for gumbo.

'Louisiana Blonde'

  • Source: Southern Exposure, Baker Creek
  • Days: 60 days
  • Notes: Light green, almost white pods. 4-6". Tender, sweet. Heat-tolerant. Unusual color. Good yield.

'Star of David'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 60 days
  • Notes: Named for star-shaped cross-section when sliced. Green pods. Tender, flavorful. Traditional variety. Good for fried okra.

'Hillbilly'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 60 days
  • Notes: Green pods with red stripes. Red flowers. Tennessee heirloom. Sweet, tender. Beautiful. Heat-tolerant.

'Emerald Towers'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Johnny's Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)
  • Days: 58 days
  • Notes: Compact plants (4-5 feet). Dark green pods. Good for containers. Reliable producer. Early maturing.

'Cajun Delight'

  • Source: Southern Exposure, Baker Creek
  • Days: 56 days
  • Notes: Light green pods. Tender, sweet. Heat-tolerant. Early maturing. Traditional Louisiana variety. Good for gumbo.

'Indian'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Indian seed exchanges
  • Days: 60 days
  • Notes: Slender pods, 3-4". Green with red tips. Heat-loving. Traditional Indian variety. Good for curries.

'Silver Mist'

  • Source: Baker Creek
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: Variegated foliage—green leaves with white and pink cream markings. Green pods. Ornamental and edible. Heat-loving. Beautiful.

🌾 Seed Saving

Method: 1. Choose healthy, vigorous plants with desirable traits (tenderness, productivity, color) 2. Leave several pods on plants until fully mature—pods turn brown, woody, and split open 3.

Harvest dry pods before rain (can cause molding) 4. Break open pods; shake out round, black seeds 5. Winnow to remove debris—pour seeds between bowls in breeze 6.

Ensure seeds completely dry (test by biting—should be hard) 7. Store in glass jars or paper envelopes in cool, dry, dark place 8. Add desiccant if humidity high.

Note: Okra pods become very woody when mature—use hammer or vice to crush if needed.

Isolation Distance: - Self-pollinating: Okra flowers are primarily self-pollinating - Minimum: 50-100 feet between varieties - For seed sale: 300-500 feet or cage flowers - Note: Some crossing occurs via bees; isolate for pure varieties

Viability: 4-6 years under proper storage. Germination rates remain good through year 5.

Special Notes: - One pod yields 30-50 seeds - Save from 5-10 plants for genetic diversity - Select for tenderness (pods stay tender at larger size), productivity, earliness, color - Okra is self-pollinating but bees visit; some crossing occurs - Seeds are hard-coated—scarify (nick with file) or soak overnight before planting to improve germination

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead