Okra -Clemson Spineless

rhines81 · May 9, 2015

I started this variety of Okra a few days ago. At day 3 from planting the seed in jiffy pellets, the roots grew through the bottom and the plants are already 3-4" tall. I was absolutely amazed. I am now wondering if I should have waited and just direct-sowed the seed in two weeks when I plant out for the season. Last year the direct sow did not work out too well and I did not get a bountiful crop which is why I started indoors this year. Wednesday night is supposed to be a low of 33F so it is still not planting season here. Has anyone else here benefited from starting your Okra early in northern climates?

AlittleSalt · May 9, 2015

I live in North Central Texas. lol - guess that doesn't count.

Clemson Spineless is a variety that is sold at every store that sells seeds around here. It's probably is the most popular variety grown in Texas. Down here, we direct sow. I don't remember ever seeing an okra transplant.

Worth1 · May 9, 2015

I have seen okra transplants at the store I always thought of it as a joke.

Soak your seeds in paper towels until they sprout and then plant them.
If it isn't warm or hot day and night dont even think about planting seeds outside.

Worth

Tracydr · May 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhines81

I started this variety of Okra a few days ago. At day 3 from planting the seed in jiffy pellets, the roots grew through the bottom and the plants are already 3-4" tall. I was absolutely amazed. I am now wondering if I should have waited and just direct-sowed the seed in two weeks when I plant out for the season. Last year the direct sow did not work out too well and I did not get a bountiful crop which is why I started indoors this year. Wednesday night is supposed to be a low of 33F so it is still not planting season here. Has anyone else here benefited from starting your Okra early in northern climates?

I would wait. They hate cold, at least until the plants get big. They will produce through light frost, especially if there is a wall or something for added protection.
I usually didn't plant until May in AZ since they wouldn't germinate in cold soil. i have had volunteers pop up from previous seasons. They would probably do well with a hoop house but you may want to choose a dwarf variety for that.

AlittleSalt · May 9, 2015

Like Tracy just wrote above, they hate cold. Even temperatures around 50F.

gregory · May 9, 2015

As tracydr said okra dislikes cold. The seeds will rot if the soil is to cold. I live in mobile and I just planted my okra on April 24. The highs are in the mid 80's and the lows mid 60's. That is what you want to get them started.

ginger2778 · May 9, 2015

I just direct sow all my okra varieties. But cold isnt an issue here.

BigVanVader · May 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginger2778

I just direct sow all my okra varieties. But cold isnt an issue here.

Same, and I have grown that variety many times. Its a good all around okra.

Ken B · May 13, 2015

Okra's got a taproot, so transplanting's not great for it... but northern folks who don't transplant may not get much of a crop if they try to wait for a hot spell to start it in the ground.

Missed out on a warm spell this last week to get ours started, now we've got a cool spell, so gonna wait til this weekend and see then if the forecast's looking good for us to start ours.

joseph · May 14, 2015

For me, at the very edge of okras viable range, transplanting is the way to go. That allows me to sprout the seeds in a 90 F germination chamber, and get them a few inches tall before they go out into the garden for the bugs to munch on.

salix · May 20, 2015

Okra, one of my 'fantasy' crops - I have 3 very sturdy seedlings about a foot tall enjoying the sunshine at this very moment. It is Remy's dwarf variety, and my intention is to grow 2 of them in large pots in the driveway (where the peppers seem to do best, and I can drag into garage on cold nights) and 1 in-ground as an experiment. Hopefully we will get to decide if we like the controversial veggie, and if not, at least enjoy the beautiful flowers. I still have hopes to try some of Joseph's Landrace Okra at some point, his climate seems more similar to ours than Texas...

Ken B · May 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by salix

Okra, one of my 'fantasy' crops - I have 3 very sturdy seedlings about a foot tall enjoying the sunshine at this very moment. It is Remy's dwarf variety, and my intention is to grow 2 of them in large pots in the driveway (where the peppers seem to do best, and I can drag into garage on cold nights) and 1 in-ground as an experiment. Hopefully we will get to decide if we like the controversial veggie, and if not, at least enjoy the beautiful flowers. I still have hopes to try some of Joseph's Landrace Okra at some point, his climate seems more similar to ours than Texas...

Owen Bridge with Annapolis Seeds in Nova Scotia is also working on a northern okra mix -- http://www.annapolisseeds.com/product-p/317.htm -- though the NE has warmer nights than the NW, so Joseph's seeds will probably do better for you!

May 9, 2015	#1
rhines81 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Zone 5A, Poconos Posts: 959	Okra -Clemson Spineless I started this variety of Okra a few days ago. At day 3 from planting the seed in jiffy pellets, the roots grew through the bottom and the plants are already 3-4" tall. I was absolutely amazed. I am now wondering if I should have waited and just direct-sowed the seed in two weeks when I plant out for the season. Last year the direct sow did not work out too well and I did not get a bountiful crop which is why I started indoors this year. Wednesday night is supposed to be a low of 33F so it is still not planting season here. Has anyone else here benefited from starting your Okra early in northern climates?

May 9, 2015	#6
gregory Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mobile zone 8 Posts: 83	As tracydr said okra dislikes cold. The seeds will rot if the soil is to cold. I live in mobile and I just planted my okra on April 24. The highs are in the mid 80's and the lows mid 60's. That is what you want to get them started. __________________ Zone 8 Mobile AL

May 20, 2015	#11
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	Okra, one of my 'fantasy' crops - I have 3 very sturdy seedlings about a foot tall enjoying the sunshine at this very moment. It is Remy's dwarf variety, and my intention is to grow 2 of them in large pots in the driveway (where the peppers seem to do best, and I can drag into garage on cold nights) and 1 in-ground as an experiment. Hopefully we will get to decide if we like the controversial veggie, and if not, at least enjoy the beautiful flowers. I still have hopes to try some of Joseph's Landrace Okra at some point, his climate seems more similar to ours than Texas... __________________ "He who has a library and a garden wants for nothing." -Cicero

May 9, 2015	#2
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I live in North Central Texas. lol - guess that doesn't count. Clemson Spineless is a variety that is sold at every store that sells seeds around here. It's probably is the most popular variety grown in Texas. Down here, we direct sow. I don't remember ever seeing an okra transplant.

May 9, 2015	#3
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I have seen okra transplants at the store I always thought of it as a joke. Soak your seeds in paper towels until they sprout and then plant them. If it isn't warm or hot day and night dont even think about planting seeds outside. Worth

May 9, 2015	#7
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	I just direct sow all my okra varieties. But cold isnt an issue here.

May 13, 2015	#9
Ken B Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: central Virginia Posts: 243	Okra's got a taproot, so transplanting's not great for it... but northern folks who don't transplant may not get much of a crop if they try to wait for a hot spell to start it in the ground. Missed out on a warm spell this last week to get ours started, now we've got a cool spell, so gonna wait til this weekend and see then if the forecast's looking good for us to start ours.

May 14, 2015	#10
joseph Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake Posts: 1,244	For me, at the very edge of okras viable range, transplanting is the way to go. That allows me to sprout the seeds in a 90 F germination chamber, and get them a few inches tall before they go out into the garden for the bugs to munch on.