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Old February 9, 2011   #3
ireilly
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Dallas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peebee View Post
I have tried for the past 2 years to grow okra in my zone. Live a few miles from the coast a bit south of Los Angeles. Last year, one plant from seed did grow, but it was small and produced one lonely weird shaped okra that was inedible.
No local nurseries ever stock plants either, so I guess that tells me-DUH!-that it will not grow here. I see them at the farmers markets, but they must be from up north from me.
Perhaps any one of you has tried or can give me pointers?

Thanks!
I agree with RTT but I would modify that to say that heat and light are more important than humidity, as we simply don't have as much humidity as Houston and NOLA, two other moist places I have lived. Dallas is usually pretty dry mostly.

I grew Clemson Spineless in raised beds here last year and the ones that got the most light and heat were stout plants that produced continually. Most were about 2 inches in diameter at the base.

When the temperatures dropped in October and November the plants simply stopped growing, so if you have low temperatures or sunlight that might be the reason for your experience. They must have direct sunlight or they will be spindly and low yielding.

Only issue with this variety is that the pods will get tough once they get bigger than about 4 inches or so.

I have a good bit of seed I got last May left over, if anyone wants some they can PM me. Many people either can't grow it or don't like it because of the slime inside the pods, which frying tends to evaporate. I like okra in gumbo too though.

Walter
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