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Holly Chichester
Malvaceae
ABELMOSCHUS esculentus 'Emerald'
Emerald Okra, Okra
The high yielding ‘Emerald’ okra produces lots of tender rich green pods in summer. This tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are an American Southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.
Mature plants become quite tall and have a sturdy upright habit. They have big, coarse, palmate, dark green leaves and produce pretty creamy yellow hollyhock-like flowers with burgundy centers. When these heat-loving plants are mature and producing, their long, ribbed, upright pods grow quickly and require harvest while young, small and tender. On average, they require 75 to 85 days to harvest.
Okra requires full sun and well-drained soil with ample nutrients. It is easily grown from seed, and plants begin to bear fruit in the midsummer and will continue through to fall. They require warm days and nights for good production, so refrain from planting them outdoors until the threat of frost is past. Purple-fruited varieties may be used ornamentally in mixed borders, and mature okra pods turn tan and woody when dry and can be used in everlasting flower arrangements.
12 - 4
H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m (5)
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Africa
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Drought
Very Fast
Drought Tolerant
Upright/Erect
Summer, Fall
Showy
White, Yellow
Green
Green, Dark Green
Yes
No
Single
Bold
Matte
Dried Flower / Everlasting, Mixed Border
Butterflies
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