Topic: Okra/Bhindi/Ladysfinger

[merv]

Hiya  :)

Grew it once in the greenhouse and whilst I had a crop it wasn't as prolific as I wanted it to be.  (lurve it in curry *slurp*)

Anyone got tips?

thanks

[cleo]

Hi Merv

This is one that still eludes me,but I will not give up!!

In the  past I have tried in pots inside but next year they are going into the soil border on the sunniest side of the greenhouse.

Like you I can get a few but nothing worthwhile-the flowers are georgeous but that`s hardly the point is it?

Stephan.

[merv]

Hi staphan.

It's a real downer. Maybe we are just not hot enough.  mind you last year I grew Cape Goosberries inn the green house and it was like a S American rain forest...they took over, instead of a new trowel for Christmas I got  a machete  ;)

[john_miller]

Even in my climate with sustained nights at 15C+ in the summer Okra is a dud I'm afraid. Although we do get a crop the flavour is anaemic. It is in family Malvaceae but is more closely related to Hibiscus than the mallows native to the UK to give you some idea of it's cultural requirements.

[merv]

Thanks John.

I don't think I'll bother then.  It's quite readily available. in season, in Asian shops.  So I'll stick to buying it.

[budgiebreeder]

Hi Merv! About Cape Gooseberries. I have just bought a packet of seeds .Now I'm a bit anxious about planting them.Can you tell me more about the Rainforest effect, as I only have a medium sized Greenhouse.

[merv]

Hey bb.

I have a fairly large Dutch type greenhouse that is soil based. (not flagged and pots)

I put 7 plants in one area and they grew and grew and expanded and expanded.  In the end I just tied the lot of them up, and anchored them into the side of the greenhouse with binder twine.

In an ordinary sized greenhouse, say 8x6 maybe 2 or 3 at most will do depending what else you are growing.

The secret with them is do NOT feed.  They thrive best on poor soil.

I pack my greenhouse to the gills with toms, capsiums chillies and an "exotic" to try; and then stuff in early lettuce, Japanese "White Icicle" radish and another load of Red ones wherever space appears.  I think folk tend to be conservative where space is concerned in the greenhouse...get it in!  After all, it's only got 2 choices.  :)

[budgiebreeder]

Thanks for the advice Merv I've written it on the packet in case I forget next Spring.Your Greenhouse sounds like mine packed to the gills.

[cleo]

This Okra question intigues me-a `friend` on another site tells me she can get a wonderful crop outside in Belgium(with temporary shelter). I have no reason to disbelieve her and am trying to get hold of some of the seed she uses.

Clearly it will be the best part of a year before I can let you all know if/when I get some and it if works.

Stephan.