Today, know what are the growth stages of the okra, life cycle. Ladies’ finger or okra is a kind of vegetable that grows well in a tropical country. But we will not be going to discuss growing okra, lets know the growth stages of okra which can help you to analyze this plant.
So, what are the growth stages of okra?
- Seed
- Germinating
- Young Seedling
- Older Plant
- Flowering
- Okra Pod Bearing
- Harvesting
Stage 1. Seed
The first growth stage of okra is the seed phase. This means that the okra is in the form of a seed. The seed of okra is small, circular, smooth in texture, and green to dark green. That is the okra seed characteristics.
The dry mature okra seed is capable of growing. There are cases that the seeds are too young and there’s a low percentage of growing on that kind of seed.
It must have fully mature and dry which will surely grow. The best germination will happen.
One okra pod can have many seeds. Approximately there are more or less 15+ seeds per pod. And the technique to get those high-quality seeds for planting is to make the pods ripen.
Make it in the most mature appearance. It will turn to green and turn to brown which is in dry mode and produces quality seeds.
Stage 2. Germinating
These growth stages of okra start to germinate. This means that the seeds will produce some roots and small green leafy leaves.
Germinating okra seeds will have a high percentage of germination if you have quality seeds. The quality seeds are the mature seeds that are capable of growing.
It needs harder which is surely a sign of good seeds. You can buy some okra seeds near your location, like in the agriculture market or store.
They sell those seeds with coated colors which help the seed to stay last long. You can also try to borrow or lend seeds from other farmers or gardeners in your location.
If you want to germinate seeds and grow them, the best way you should do is to grow them first on the seedbox. The seedbox has many small containers which you can put the seeds and grow.
But it doesn’t applicable to this plant. You don’t need to germinate it on the seedbox. You must directly plant it on the soil.
Prepare your soil, make a hole around 1 inch deep, and put one soil per hole. Cover it with soil and then water it. After 3-7 days the okra seeds will start germinating.
This takes a few days to produce some roots and eventually you will see some small leaves. You need to take care of it to grow it well.
Stage 3. Young Seedling
This growth stage of okra is a seedling phase. This means that the okra is in the form of a small plant that shows its sprouted roots and few leaves appear.
The okra seedlings need more care as their stem is very soft. It’s very easy to break so you should care for it from the strong winds and the animals. Animals can eat the leaves and cut its stem, you don’t like it to happen.
The seedlings of okra are great when it has healthy germination. You need to water it regularly especially when it is too hot. Cultivate the soil around the seedlings and apply the pre fertilizer application.
This way it can grow well. It can survive in its final location. It needs enough water to grow better.
Stage 4. Older Okra
This growth stage of okra is in the form of a mature plant. This means that the okra started to produce more green leafy hard leaves and produce stronger stems.
When it gets enough water, sunlight, and fertilizer, the best okra will appear. As a gardener, you should do your job to make it more healthy. It needs more care than the previous stages. More efforts and energy to release.
You need to apply enough fertilizer and continuous watering as it will produce a healthier and stronger plant. Your efforts here will surely make the plants bear more flowers and more pods to produce.
You need to do it in this stage so that you will not worry anymore after.
Stage 5. Flowering
This growth stage of okra is it start blooming flowers. This means that the okra is in 12-16 weeks or 3-4 months old. During this time the beautiful yellow smooth flower begins to show off.
This stage needs more fertilizer and water. You need to apply water every day as it is very important. You should also put fertilizer for it to grow healthy. Organic fertilizer will be best for okra as our recommendation.
You need also to look for some pests that may attack your plants. Some worms can destroy your plants so be aware of that.
Stage 6. Okra Bearing
This stage of okra is it begins to produce pods for the first time. Yes, from the flowers it will form into a young okra pod.
The characteristics of okra pods are it is color green when young and color dark green when older. This has a smooth texture and has a horizontal shape with pointed tips. Also, it can range from about 4-8 inches long depends on how much care you applied.
When the okra starts to bear pods, it means that it is already 3-4 months old. It needs more care as pests can attack anytime.
Some adjustments and improvements you should take. This will help to a best bounty okra pod bearing in the garden.
Stage 7. Harvesting
This growth stage of okra is ready for harvesting. This means that the okra is mature enough. This is perfect to harvest.
When the okra pod has a hard pod you can now get it. It is not so hard, the pods are just mature enough but so smooth. You should also look for its color.
A mature okra pod should have a yellow-green to green in color which indicates its maturity. It is not good to eat super hard okra pods so you need to get it when young.
This has enough length and looks different compare to the previous weeks.
Stage 8. Drying
In this stage is the okra turns brown and begins to dry. This will start to make harder seeds inside.
The pods turn ripe, then brown, dry, and will break out soon. Pods decay and the seeds fall on the soil. Instead to happen that get the seeds and store them.
When it’s time for planting, you can use the seeds to grow them again and again like a cycle. There are many seeds inside which you can use soon.
Thank you for reading this article about the growth stages of the okra, life cycle. Thank you for your time and effort in reading this whole stuff. Hope you learn something coming from us even as little as possible. Thank you and good day.
