'Abelmoschus esculentus'
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| General Information | Click image to view
| | Scientific Name | Abelmoschus esculentus | | Common Names | Okra, Lady’s fingers, Gumbo, Gombo, Kopi arab, Kacang bendi, Quiabo,
Ka fei huang kui, Bamia, Bendi, Bhindee, Bhindi, Bindi, Cantarela,
Gombaut, Mesta, Ochro, Quiabo, Quimbambo, Vandakai, Dheras, Binda, | | Species | Malvaceae | | Genus | | | Synonyms | Hibiscus esculentus L.; | | Genus | | | Description | A tropical annual plant. It grows erect, often with hairy stems. It
mostly grows about 1 m tall but can be 3.5 m tall. It becomes woody
at the base. The leaves have long stalks up to 30 cm long. Leaves
vary in shape but are roughly heart shaped with lobes and teeth along
the edge. Upper leaves are more deeply divided than lower ones. The
flowers are yellow with red hearts. The fruits are green, long and
ribbed. They have 5-7 ribs. They are 7.5-15 cm long. The seeds are
4-5 mm across. They are round and dark green. Many varieties exist. | | Notes | There are about 15 Abelmoschus species. They are tropical and
subtropical. | | Related | | | Growth, Production and Use |
| | Related | Pods, Flowers, Seeds, Leaves, | | Cultivation | They are grown from seeds. Seeds are easy to collect. They need
high temperatures for germination (over 20°C) and a sunny position.
Often seeds are soaked for 24 hours before sowing to give quick
germination. Seeds are sown 1.5-2.5 cm deep with 2-3 seeds per hole.
Later these are thinned out to one plant. Seeds can be sown in
nurseries and plants transplanted. Pinching out the tops of plants
when 30 cm high encourages branching. To select seed of a particular
variety seed plants must be separated 400 m from other varieties. A
spacing of about 90 x 45 cm is suitable. About 8-10 kg of seed are
required for one hectare. Most kinds respond to fertiliser. | | Growing | | | Production | Plants maintain production if the fruits are harvested regularly.
Plants are ready to harvest 8-10 weeks after sowing. Seed yields of
500-800 kg per hectare are recorded. Pod yields of 4-6 tons per
hectare occur. For young pods it takes 2-4 months from sowing. Pods
develop 5-10 days after flowering. Pod harvests can continue for 1-2
months. Leaving pods on the plants stops new pods developing. | | Use | Pods are eaten cooked. They are slimy, but less so if fried.
Dried powdered seeds can be used in soups. It thickens the soup.
Young leaves can be eaten cooked.
Flowers can also be eaten.
Okra is frozen and canned.
The seeds are roasted and used as a coffee substitute. | | Distribution | It suits the hot humid tropical lowlands but is unsuited to the
highlands. It cannot tolerate drought. It is very sensitive to
frost. They grow best where temperatures are between 20-36°C. It can
grow well in dry climates with irrigation. It suits hot humid
environments. It does best on well drained well manured soils but
will grow on many soils. A pH or 5.5-7 is best. It suits plant
hardiness zones 8-12. | | Pests and Diseases | | Insects | | | Pests | | | Diseases | | | Plant References | | Authority | | | Location | |
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