#Okra plant free

Add aged compost to the planting bed before sowing or transplanting. Okra grows best in light, deeply worked soil rich in organic matter. Okra should be picked just a few days after flowering. Bug sucks sap from leaves and pods causing them to become twisted and deformed. Southern green stink bug is a light green bug to ½-inch long. Corn earworm is a brown-headed caterpillar with lengthwise stripes to 2 inches long the adult is a night-flying moth with brownish or olive wings and bright green eyes. Common in late summer or fall but does not result in loss of plant. Spores germinate on dry plant surfaces when the humidity is high spores do not germinate on wet leaves. Powdery mildew is caused by fungal spores. Introduce beneficial insects into the garden. Remove infested leaves and the whole plant if infestation is serious. Whiteflies will congregate on the undersides of leaves and fly up when disturbed. Leaves yellow tiny white winged insects around plants. They leave behind sticky excrement called honeydew which can turn into a black sooty mold.

Aphids are tiny, oval, and yellowish to greenish pear-shaped insects that colonize on the undersides of leaves. Leaves are yellowish, curl under and become deformed shiny specks on leaves. Small rusty-orange to reddish brown or black blisters or pustules on stems and leaves. Root knot nematode is a microscopic eelworm that attacks roots. Leaves turn yellow and then brown from the bottom up plant loses vigor. Solarize the soil in late spring or summer. Remove infected plants and plant debris that harbor fungus.

Fusarium root or stem rot is a fungal disease that favors warm soil. Plants stunted, leaves yellow, roots decayed. Spray or dust with a fixed copper- or sulfur-based fungicide every 7 to 10 days. Avoid working in the garden when it is wet which can result in spread of spores. Anthracnose is a fungus disease that spreads in high humidity and rainfall. Rotate with other crops.īlack water-soaked blotches on stems and leaves. Apply copper dust or liquid copper spray every 7 to 10 days. Water-soaked spots on leaves spot become circular with gray centers. Plant in fun sun, in compost-rich soil, and keep the soil evenly moist. Too little light, water stress, and excess nitrogen also inhibit pod formation. Pollination will be poor if temperatures rise above 90☏ or drop below 55☏. Heat and cold can interfere with pollinations. Temperatures too cool can cause flower and bud drop. Temperatures greater than 95☏ can cause flowers and buds to drop. Weather too hot or temperatures are fluctuating. Pre-soak seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing.įlowers and buds drop before pods set. Soil is not warm enough for germination soil temperature must be at least 70☏ for okra to germinate. Seeds do not germinate plants do not emerge. Common okra growing problems with cures and controls:

#Okra plant free

Okra is generally insect and disease free but occasionally problems will arise. Okra grows in average soil start okra when the soil and air temperature is right for planting cornįor okra growing tips see Okra Growing Success Tips at the bottom of this post. Okra is often associated with the South–think gumbo soup, but it grows well in northern gardens as well. Okra can be grown with ease wherever sweet s grown.