Long a staple of Southern cookery , okra ( _ Abelmoschus esculentus _ ) is useable in several dissimilar types , from old - time ducky to novel , improved varieties , but kitchen gardeners often stick with the tried and truthful . Although okracan be grownin all U.S. Department of Agricultureplant hardiness zones , this annual crop fly high inhot weather . Whether you ’re into nostalgia or looking for the latest in okra plants , you ’ll feel them among the following types :

Old-Fashioned Heirlooms

The okra of a century or more ago varies from modern varieties in many ways . Someheirloom typesstill bear long , narrow pod with hard , obtuse ribs along the fruit and a incisive , setaceous point at the tip . Around the base of the pods , setose spinesguard the yield . Many old - sentence type lose tenderness quickly and acquire tough .

Spineless Types

seedpod that lack the setose spine of honest-to-goodness - prison term types simplify okra picking . Plant breeders have worked through the long time toeliminate the spines , increase tenderness and keep the moody , grooved pod .

( Abelmoschus esculentus’Cajun Delight ' ) is an award - gain ground intercrossed okra with bass green , 5 - in - long , spineless fuel pod . The plant grows up to4 feettall .

Dwarf Okras

Notorious for reverting to received sizes when condition allow , overshadow okras generally gain just 2 to 4 feet tall instead of twice that . nanus gumbo let in long - podded and short - podded heirloom and modern varieties , with and without spines , thatsuit small spaceswell .

  • ' Cajun Delight ' okra ( ( Abelmoschus esculentus’Cajun Delight ' ) is an honor - winning hybrid okra with recondite green , 5 - inch - farsighted , namby-pamby seedpod .

Giant Okras

Mammoth or giant - character okrasearn their namefrom meridian , length of pod , pod girth or other factor . Some gargantuan variety may reach 10 feet tall or more — double the meridian of many received gumbo — and some " giant " are stock height but have productive pods that dwarf normal okra .

Round-Pod Types

Smooth - skinned , round - seedpod okra miss the outstanding ribs but often havethicker , meaty wallsinstead . They are frequently used in canning andcommercial processing .

Star-Pod Types

Five to eight firm rib hunt down the distance of the pod give star - pod types their characteristicfluted appearing . Sliced crosswise , the star form adds a classifiable touch to culinary dishes .

  • Louisiana Green Velvet okra(Abelmoschus esculentusvar .

Red Okras

In addition to various shades of Graeco-Roman okra greenery , some okras havered , purple or burgundy cod , stems and leaf vein . Beautiful in the garden , they complement okra ’s hibiscus - like , burgundy - throated scandalmongering flower . flushed okra lose its color when cooked , but saucy slices add flavor and people of color .

Okra Is Ripe

Watch for okra to mature five to six days after the appearance of heyday . right pod are bright green and firm but tender . The seeds inside a ripe pod are low . Continue to check off the okra for ripeness at least every other day as the pods mature quickly , particularly during hot weather condition .

  • Red Velvet okra(Abelmoschus esculentusvar .

Tip

Okra pods grow tight ! They can go from blooms to mammoth - size of it pods in just a few days . Harvest okra while pods are still new , tender and slice easily with a tongue . The more you harvest , they more they produce .

References

Okra plant with upright pod and flower.