Abelmoschus esculentus (85 days) Open-pollinated. When Malcolm and Delphine Beck bought their farm in 1968 in Comal County, Texas, they found in the abandoned garden giant okra stalks with the fattest pods they’d ever seen. They saved and replanted the seed, and it grew big fluted remarkably tender delicious green pods in abundance on sturdy plants. They called it the snapping okra because it snaps so easily off the plants when it is ready to harvest. Though not adapted to our climate, Beck’s will produce even in central Maine in an average growing season. Of course, it will do much better farther south. Black Benefit Sharing. ②
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About 10-25 Seeds/g. 2 gram packet contains about 20-30 seeds.
Days to maturity are from transplant date.
The seed pods are the vegetable we know as okra, a staple down South, and used in Creole, Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern, Indian and other Asian cuisines. The leaves are also edible, cooked or raw.
Culture: Start indoors in peat pots and transplant in 4-5 weeks, after all danger of frost has passed. Minimum germination soil temperature 60°, optimal range 70-90°. Transplant 1' apart; do not disturb roots. Once it flowers, the fleshy pods will be ready for harvest in two days. They are best when picked young and tender, no longer than 4", as longer pods can be really fibrous. Southern growers may declare okra pest-free, but our northern slugs beg to differ.
State legislator Craig Hickman of Annabessacook Farm in Winthrop, who grows 400 plants per year, says okra requires TLC, balanced nutritious soil with good pH, and not much competition from weeds. According to one of his veteran fieldhands, “Okra is a diva…that needs hot weather for about 60 days.”
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.
This item is certified organic