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Mark Kane
Malvaceae
Abelmoschus esculentus 'Silver Queen'
Okra, Silver Queen Okra
The pale creamy yellow-green okra pods of ‘Silver Queen’ remain tender and flavorful even when big. This heirloom is also said to have exceptional flavor, and the interesting color of the fruits really set this American Southern selection apart.
It's hard to believe that okra is in the same family as hollyhocks and hibiscus. The tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a 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 usually require harvest while young and tender, but those of ‘Silver Queen’ can be harvested a bit later.
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.
On average, this cultivar requires 80 days to harvest.
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
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Africa
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Very Fast
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Upright/Erect
Summer, Fall
Showy
White, Yellow
Yellow Green, Ivory
Green, Dark Green
No
Single
Yes
Bold
Matte
Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
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