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joseph · August 17, 2015

I presume that my okra are highly cross-pollinating.

I don't understand why a cross would necessarily lead to woody seed pods, or stunted plants. Aren't all domesticated varieties selected to have tender pods if picked young enough? So even if they crossed shouldn't they still be tender when young? My experience with hybrids is that they often grow better than either parent.

If several different varieties produced woody seed pods, I'd be more inclined to look to growing conditions as an explanation.

August 17, 2015	#4
joseph Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake Posts: 1,244	I presume that my okra are highly cross-pollinating. I don't understand why a cross would necessarily lead to woody seed pods, or stunted plants. Aren't all domesticated varieties selected to have tender pods if picked young enough? So even if they crossed shouldn't they still be tender when young? My experience with hybrids is that they often grow better than either parent. If several different varieties produced woody seed pods, I'd be more inclined to look to growing conditions as an explanation.