Okra in 5 gallon buckets?

Al@NC · December 30, 2012

I'm wondering if there are others out there that have grown okra in 5 gallon buckets? I'm wanting to do this next summer but don't know whether to try and get a dwarf okra plant or just try any variety? Any advise from experienced container growers is appreciated!

Tell me your favorite okra variety to grow in a container.

Al

ContainerTed · December 30, 2012

I've never grown okra in a container, but Okra is a shallow rooting plant and they should do well. But, I can't imagine more than three or four plants per bucket. I don't like the dwarf varieties because many of them are not so "dwarfish". Clemson Spineless is the best I've grown and it's in my garden every year.

Just remember that they like lots of sun and will be sluggish growing until the temperatures come up. When their world gets nice and warmed up, they go crazy.

easttx_hippie · December 30, 2012

I still have three Clemson Spineless growing in a 5 gallon bucket in my greenhouse. They even survived a night without heat when it dropped to 25°. They have slowed down production but I still have three pods growing....one on each plant.

Mac

Al@NC · December 30, 2012

That's good news guys, if I can get output with 3 of the Clemson Spineless in a 5g bucket then I'll just need one bucket. Baker Creek Seeds has 30-75 seeds for a buck fifty....

Thanks!

Fusion_power · December 30, 2012

I would probably plant a variety like Burmese which is a little less tall and will maintain tenderness to larger size.

3 plants in a 5 gallon bucket would be pushing it in my opinion.

DarJones

Miller · January 2, 2013

I grew Clemson Okra in 5 gallon pots for the first time this year...great success. I attached a picture in full bloom!

Al@NC · January 2, 2013

Thanks for the pic Miller, that looks good! What was the maximum height you obtained?

Miller · January 14, 2013

I believe around 4ft...I kept okra in the container to check the root system. I grew it with garden soil and the Aerator. No potting soil. This pic shows a few other plants...tomatoes, habanero, ghost peppers and squash. All grown from heirloom seeds, it was a fun year. Still have squash in the cellar. Zoe my cat is watching guard..ha!

Al@NC · January 14, 2013

Thanks for the pic! That tells it all, I'lll grow about 3 plants in 3 five gallon containers this summer....

Allen

Worth1 · January 14, 2013

Nice cat in the picture.

Worth

nativeplanter · January 15, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

I believe around 4ft...I kept okra in the container to check the root system. I grew it with garden soil and the Aerator. No potting soil. This pic shows a few other plants...tomatoes, habanero, ghost peppers and squash. All grown from heirloom seeds, it was a fun year. Still have squash in the cellar. Zoe my cat is watching guard..ha!

What is the "aerator"?

b54red · January 15, 2013

If you keep okra well fertilized and watered it can get huge. I think one plant to a 5 gallon bucket is all you want. I have had okra plants reach 12 ft in height but 8 ft is very common by late summer.

Miller · January 15, 2013

I used the Plant Warrior Pots, it has the Aerator built in. Wow, 12 to 8 feet....I'm definitely growing more next year with that goal! Wish I had a greenhouse all my bucket plants are gone for the winter except my kumquats...bet my cat Zoe would like a greenhouse too! What else do you plant in pots in addition to tomatoes, peppers & squash?

efisakov · April 19, 2013

I purchased Bermuda onions from Dempsey, they included a gift in the package, seeds of Clemson Spineless okra. Never grew okra before. So it is nice to read about it and see the pictures. I assume it is less finicky than tomato. Is it?
thanks

rockhound · April 20, 2013

I've grown okra over the years, in rows, never in buckets. When okra starts producing real good, you pick 2 or 3 pods per plant. That is good if you have a 50ft row but for containers you might have to blanch and freeze a few pods each day until you have enough for a recipe. Good luck.

December 30, 2012	#1
Al@NC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 720	Okra in 5 gallon buckets? I'm wondering if there are others out there that have grown okra in 5 gallon buckets? I'm wanting to do this next summer but don't know whether to try and get a dwarf okra plant or just try any variety? Any advise from experienced container growers is appreciated! Tell me your favorite okra variety to grow in a container. Al

December 30, 2012	#2
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	I've never grown okra in a container, but Okra is a shallow rooting plant and they should do well. But, I can't imagine more than three or four plants per bucket. I don't like the dwarf varieties because many of them are not so "dwarfish". Clemson Spineless is the best I've grown and it's in my garden every year. Just remember that they like lots of sun and will be sluggish growing until the temperatures come up. When their world gets nice and warmed up, they go crazy. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

December 30, 2012	#4
Al@NC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 720	That's good news guys, if I can get output with 3 of the Clemson Spineless in a 5g bucket then I'll just need one bucket. Baker Creek Seeds has 30-75 seeds for a buck fifty.... Thanks! Last edited by Al@NC; December 30, 2012 at 07:18 PM.

January 15, 2013	#13
Miller Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 18	Okra Plant Warrior I used the Plant Warrior Pots, it has the Aerator built in. Wow, 12 to 8 feet....I'm definitely growing more next year with that goal! Wish I had a greenhouse all my bucket plants are gone for the winter except my kumquats...bet my cat Zoe would like a greenhouse too! What else do you plant in pots in addition to tomatoes, peppers & squash?

April 19, 2013	#14
efisakov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NJ, zone 7 Posts: 3,162	I purchased Bermuda onions from Dempsey, they included a gift in the package, seeds of Clemson Spineless okra. Never grew okra before. So it is nice to read about it and see the pictures. I assume it is less finicky than tomato. Is it? thanks __________________ Ella God comes along and says, "I think I'm going to create THE tomato!”

December 30, 2012	#3
easttx_hippie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Piney Wood Hills Posts: 423	I still have three Clemson Spineless growing in a 5 gallon bucket in my greenhouse. They even survived a night without heat when it dropped to 25°. They have slowed down production but I still have three pods growing....one on each plant. Mac

December 30, 2012	#5
Fusion_power Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,250	I would probably plant a variety like Burmese which is a little less tall and will maintain tenderness to larger size. 3 plants in a 5 gallon bucket would be pushing it in my opinion. DarJones

January 2, 2013	#7
Al@NC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 720	Thanks for the pic Miller, that looks good! What was the maximum height you obtained?

January 14, 2013	#9
Al@NC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 720	Thanks for the pic! That tells it all, I'lll grow about 3 plants in 3 five gallon containers this summer.... Allen

January 14, 2013	#10
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Nice cat in the picture. Worth

January 15, 2013	#12
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	If you keep okra well fertilized and watered it can get huge. I think one plant to a 5 gallon bucket is all you want. I have had okra plants reach 12 ft in height but 8 ft is very common by late summer.

April 20, 2013	#15
rockhound Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 285	I've grown okra over the years, in rows, never in buckets. When okra starts producing real good, you pick 2 or 3 pods per plant. That is good if you have a 50ft row but for containers you might have to blanch and freeze a few pods each day until you have enough for a recipe. Good luck.