Prior to planting, soak the okra seeds in water for 12 to 18 hours to soften its hard seed coat. Soaking aids moisture absorption and germination. Plant okra in the spring or early summer once the threat of frost has passed. To prevent the seeds from rotting, the soil should have warmed to at least 65 degrees.
How do you germinate okra seeds quickly?
To speed germination, soak seeds for a few hours in warm water before sowing. Plant okra seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep and 12 to 18 inches apart in a row. You can soak the seeds overnight in tepid water to help speed up germination.
Do you Soak okra seeds in bleach before planting?
In Walter Reeves’ “Guide to Georgia Vegetable Gardening”, he wrote of a strange sounding “old timer’s” trick to get reliable germination within 24 hours: Soak the seeds in pure chlorine bleach for exactly 5 minutes, no more, no less. Rinse in clean water exactly 3 times. Plant.
Which seeds should be soaked before planting?
A short list of seeds that like to soak are peas, beans, pumpkins and other winter squash, chard, beets, sunflower, lupine, fava beans, and cucumbers. Most other medium-to-large vegetable and flower seeds with thick coats benefit from soaking.
What is the best way to plant okra seeds?
Planting
- Figure 1. Plant okra seeds about 2 inches apart and 1 inch deep.
- Figure 2. Okra rows should be 3 feet apart. After the plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them to 1 foot between the plants.
- Figure 3. Harvest okra when it is about 3 to 4 inches long.
Why won’t my okra seeds germinate?
Soil is not warm enough for germination; soil temperature must be at least 70°F for okra to germinate. Pre-soak seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing. Flowers and buds drop before pods set. Weather too hot or temperatures are fluctuating.
Do okra seeds need cold stratification?
Okra Seed Germination Needs
Okra requires moist conditions and soil temperatures between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit to sprout successfully, notes Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.
Does soaking seeds speed up germination?
Soaking seeds before planting helps you to break down the seed’s natural defenses against what it expects from Mother Nature, which then allows it to germinate faster.
What happens to a seed when it is soaked in water overnight?
When seeds are soaked in water, they begin to warm up and produce carbon dioxide. Seeds are dormant, or at least close to dormancy. When we provide them with warmth and moisture they start to grow.
How deep do you plant okra seeds?
Planting. Okra can be established by sowing seeds directly into the garden. To enhance germination, soak okra seeds in water for several hours or overnight before sowing. Space rows 3-feet apart; sow seeds 1-inch deep and 4- to 6-inches apart within the row.
How long should I soak seeds before planting?
Many sources recommend 8-12 hours and no more than 24 hours. Again, too much soaking and the seeds will start to decompose. If you use very hot water, the soaking time will decrease. We’ve always liked to use warm water and start the soaking at bedtime, then plant first thing in the morning.
Does vinegar help germination?
No, seeds will not germinate in vinegar. Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid, which has inhibition of impact on seed germination.
Can you put seeds straight into soil?
Growing from seeds indoors is one way of starting your garden. Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results.
Can I plant fresh okra seeds?
ANSWER: Yes, fresh okra seeds can be used to grow new okra plants. However, there is a little bit of preparation required to grow okra successfully. Place your okra seeds into the freezer and allow them to cool overnight. This will help to break the seed coat.
What can you not plant near okra?
Don’t plant them too close, as cucumbers vines spread and also need a large amount of sun to ripen. Pepper plants will repel cabbage worms, which can be a destructive nuisance to okra plants.
What is the best fertilizer for okra?
Okra should be mowed or pruned to 6 to 12 inches above the soil line. Once the plants are cut, gardeners will want to fertilize with a fertilizer that has a 1:2 ratio of nitrogen to potassium, which will encourage new growth and stimulate flower production.
When should I start okra indoors?
Sow okra seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the intended outdoor planting date.
How many seeds does okra make per hole?
Plant the Okra seeds 3/4 to 1 inch deep in hills 12 to 24 inches apart. Plant two seeds per hole and thin the plants, leaving the strongest plant when they reach about 3 inches tall.
How often do you water okra seeds?
every week
Improve native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Okra loves the heat and can withstand a dry spell, but do your best to give plants 1 inch of water every week.
How long can okra seeds soak in water?
Dr. Parsons recommends soaking the seeds for “several” hours before planting to enhance germination. Breaking the seed coat does help the seed germinate more quickly, and soaking it for up to 24 hours can do the job admirably.
Can you stratify seeds for too long?
After a 24 hr drying period it will be safe to put into a stratification situation ,making sure that they stay moist . Too much moisture will decrease the amount of time that they can stay refridgerated and might lead to rotting instead of germinating .
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.