How to Grow Organic Okra? A Detailed Explanation of Key Cultivation Techniques

Organic okra, also known as "kidney-tonifying grass," okra, goat's horn bean, etc., is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Abelmoschus in the Malvaceae family. It originated in the tropical regions of Africa and was introduced to our country in recent years; at present it is cultivated in small quantities in various places. Okra is eaten for its tender pods, which are rich in protein, free amino acids and minerals. The fruit also contains a viscous substance composed of pectin and polysaccharides, making it a nutritious health vegetable with the effect of promoting gastrointestinal peristalsis and preventing constipation. It is especially noted for its function of nourishing yin and strengthening yang, and in some coastal areas of the south it is called a "plant Viagra" with no toxic side effects. Okra can be eaten in many ways, such as in cold dishes, stir-fried, deep-fried, and in soups, and it has been promoted by some high-end guesthouses and hotels as a nutritious specialty dish, deeply loved by people. The flowers, seeds and roots of okra can all be used as medicine, effective against malignant sores and carbuncles; the seeds, after being fried and ground, can be used as a coffee substitute. Okra is a low-energy food and is one of the very good weight-loss foods. The techniques for growing okra are introduced below:

1. Land preparation and fertilization. Organic okra has a well-developed root system that goes deep into the soil, so it is advisable to choose loam or clay loam plots with a deep plow layer, fertile soil, good light exposure and convenient irrigation and drainage for land preparation. Because organic okra grows slowly in the early stage and does not begin harvesting until July, it can be intercropped with other vegetables and crops with short growth periods to improve land utilization. 2. Sowing. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 20-25°C for 12 hours, then wipe them dry and germinate them at 25-30°C for 48 hours; when half of the seeds have sprouted, they can be sown. In the previously prepared bed, dig holes at a row spacing of 80 cm and a plant spacing of 50 cm, first water the bottom thoroughly, sow 2-3 seeds per hole, and cover with 2-3 cm of soil. About 2000 holes can be planted per mu, with a seed quantity of about 0.5 kg. 3. Field management. When the first true leaf unfolds, carry out the first thinning, removing diseased, damaged and weak seedlings. When 2-3 true leaves have unfolded, finalize the seedlings, keeping 1 strong seedling per hole. After finalizing the seedlings, cultivation should be carried out promptly to raise soil temperature and to conserve moisture and control weeds. After that, cultivation and weeding should be done regularly, along with earthing up to prevent the plants from lodging. Organic okra is a moisture-tolerant plant with tall plants and a relatively high water requirement; after emergence and after finalizing the seedlings, water once each time, and during the flowering and fruit-setting period water frequently to keep the soil moist. In particular, the high-temperature weather of July-August coincides with the peak fruiting period, when the water requirement is great, so the water supply should be maintained even more. However, when there is excessive rain, drainage should be carried out promptly to avoid waterlogging damage. In addition, in combination with watering, apply organic fertilizer at 15 kg per mu or human manure and urine at 500-600 kg per mu in three applications, at seedling finalization, fruit setting and the peak fruiting stage, to promote a high yield. 4. Harvesting and pest and disease control. When the fruit grows to a length of more than 5 cm, it can be picked and sold on the market; generally, 1000 kg of tender fruit of 5-7 cm and 1500 kg of tender fruit of 7-10 cm can be harvested per mu. Organic okra has relatively few pests and diseases, mainly viral disease and cotton bollworm, cotton semi-looper, aphids, thrips, etc. Finally, it should be noted that organic okra is a rare vegetable, so before introducing it for planting, be sure to first investigate the sales market.