How to Grow Okra? Planting Methods and Key Technical Points
1. Land Preparation and Fertilization: For the plot where okra is to be planted, after the previous crop is harvested, deep plowing should be carried out promptly in autumn and winter to a depth of 30 cm, so as to deepen the cultivated soil layer, further loosen the soil, and enhance the soil's water-retention and fertilizer-retention capacity. Before planting, work the land until it is fine, level, loose and soft, with a loose surface and firm subsoil. Okra has a relatively high fertilizer requirement. Per mu, broadcast 5000 kg of decomposed barnyard manure and 20 kg of compound fertilizer, spreading them on the ground before land preparation, then plow them deep into the soil and harrow thoroughly to mix them evenly so that soil and fertilizer are blended, then open furrows and make beds. Avoid continuous cropping, and it is also unsuitable to choose fruit vegetables as the previous crop.
2. Sowing at the Right Time
Direct seeding is mostly used, but seedling raising and transplanting can also be used. Generally sow in mid-May, transplant in mid-June, and harvest heavily in August.
3. Fine Sowing
Okra seeds have a hard seed coat. Before sowing, soak the seeds for 12 hours and then place them at 25°C to germinate. Sow when 60%-70% of the seeds have “broken their mouths”. Dibbling is preferable for sowing. The bed width is 85 cm and the furrow width is 30 cm. Plant 1 row per bed, with a hole spacing of 30-35 cm, sowing 2-4 seeds per hole, with a hole depth of 2-3 cm. Water first, then sow, then cover with soil about 2 cm thick. Nutrition pots and plug trays are mostly used for raising seedlings, sowing 2 seeds per cell, and thinning to a stand when there are 2-3 true leaves.
4. Thinning and Cultivation
After okra emerges, thin the seedlings promptly. When there are 2-3 true leaves, remove diseased, weak and small seedlings, leaving 2 plants per hole. After the seedlings emerge, cultivate and weed promptly, about once every 10 days. Before the first flower opens, cultivation should be strengthened and the seedlings properly hardened to promote root development. After flowering and fruiting, the plants grow faster, and cultivation should be carried out after each topdressing and watering. Before the rows close, cultivate and earth up to prevent the plants from lodging. In July-August, during the high-temperature rainy season, weeds grow very quickly, so weeding should be done promptly to prevent weed infestation.
5. Fertilizer and Water Management
Okra is relatively tolerant of drought and moisture. During the growing period it requires relatively high air and soil humidity, especially during the flowering and fruiting period, when sufficient water is needed. Okra has a long growth and harvest period, with the entire growth period being about 100 days. On the basis of applying sufficient base fertilizer, topdress appropriately. The first topdressing is carried out after emergence, applying 6-7 kg of urea per mu; the second is a seedling-promoting fertilizer, applying 15-20 kg of compound fertilizer in furrows after thinning to a stand; during the flowering and fruiting period, apply 1 heavy fertilizer, applying 25-30 kg of compound fertilizer. After entering the fruit-picking period, according to the growth condition, apply multiple light topdressings as appropriate to prevent lodging or premature senescence. Summer is the peak harvest period for okra, when water demand is high and surface temperature is high, so watering should be done before 9 a.m. or after sunset in the afternoon, avoiding watering under high temperatures, which can damage the roots. Pay attention to drainage during the rainy season to prevent seedling death.
6. Setting Up Supports and Removing Leaves
In summer, supports should be set up to prevent lodging. Bamboo poles or branches 1 m long can be inserted beside the plant roots to support the plants. In the early growth stage, prevent excessive vegetative growth from causing spindling. In the middle and late stages, promptly remove the old leaves on the nodes below the harvested tender fruits, which can both improve ventilation and light penetration and reduce nutrient consumption, while also reducing the occurrence of pests and diseases. For fruits reserved for seed, promptly pinch off the growing tips, which can promote the seed fruits to mature, help the grains become plump, and improve seed quality.
7. Pest and Disease Control
Okra has relatively few diseases but many insect pests. The main ones are aphids, thrips, viral diseases, etc. Per mu, 1000-1500 mg of 10% phorate granules can be applied in strips in the planting furrow when applying base fertilizer. If pests occur later during the growth period, 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate, abamectin, fenbutatin oxide, fenpropathrin, etc. can be sprayed for control, spraying once every 5-7 days.