I was wondering what the favourite varieties are with DGers?
I'd quite like a variety that doesn't get too tall, but still has a good crop of tasty pods.
How tall is Hill Country Heirloom Red?
Has anyone grown Lee?
I shall appreciate any opinions, thanks
Varieties of Okra?
I grew one called "Burmese" this year, and the yield was HUGE, despite a Japanese beetle infestation. These are fairly tender pods. The plants started bearing when small, and maybe grew to about 31/2 feet tall. Here's the description from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
http://www.southernexposure.com/index.html
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BURMESE OKRA: 58 days. [Heirloom okra from Burma sent by organic market grower Hap Heilman. Now a favorite in some local restaurants.] 'Burmese' okra bears when plants are 18" tall and continues to bear until frost. The leaves are huge, typically 16" across. The slightly curved, virtually spineless pods range from 9 to 12" long. Pods mature from light green to creamy yellow green. At 10" inches long, they are tender, sweet, and spineless enough to be eaten raw or added to salads. Pods are less gooey than other okra, a quality that gives this variety a greater appeal.
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Myself, I prefer to eat them at more like 5-7 inches long.
There are 83 cultivars of okra in plantfiles. A few of them have grower comments. Browse, You may find something that grabs you. Here I prefer tall okra, Emerald the current favorite, but when I lived further north (Zone 6), Blondie and Annie Oakley were more dependable short season cultivars.
Thank you Zeppy and Farmerdill your advice is very welcome. Burma sounds good, but I haven't yet found it here
I had a look in the PF but unfortunately there were not any comments on some of the varieties I can get.
As a complete novice with these plants, please can you tell me whether the tall varieties need support and, if so, what you recommend?
I can get Emerald :)
None of hem need support. Emerald does need heat, did not do as well in the mountains of Virginia as the early varieties. While it will get to seven feet here, It starts setting pods at about 18 inches. Of course if you tp the at five feet tey will bush out with side shoots. Definitely not a container plant.BUt there are cultivars like Baby Bubba http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59977/index.html Which are ideal for containers, Cajun Delight is another small plant which has good press but I have not not grown it. If yo tell which cultivars are available to you in France, I can probably give you a general assessment. Okra is very easy to grow here in Georgia. have not found any that were not successful, but in Virginia I had to seek early maturing, robust cultivars.
Thanks, that's good news. I'm not short of space, but thought they might need support.
I'm told they do well here - we can grow melons, aubergines peppers and tomatoes outdoors
I think I'll give Emerald a go then. I'm ordering seed from Kokopelli and they say it was introduced to America by Campbell's Soups in 1950 :)
Really looking forward to my first home grown okra. I love the stuff, but it's very expensive to buy (and not as fresh)
Philo, you've got some of the greatest veggie seed companies right there in France, and you'll get varieties that will thrive there. You also might be able to get seed from local farmers (which is nice, as you'll be able to pick what you like), as well as great tips on extending the seasons, intensive gardening and soil amendment. Sounds like you'll have no trouble getting fresh greens all winter, too.
I did Red Burgundy this year and loved it.
"Burmese" sounds like something I'd like to try in the future.
I've grown both "Burgundy" & "Clemson Spineless" in the past & liked them both. This past season I grew "Clemson Spineless" in containers & it not only performed beautifully but was also quite decorative on the deck.
Ditto the Red Burgundy. I was astounded at how beautiful the flower was. My neighbors were surprised when I told them what they were. I have a photo of them somewhere - I'll post when I find it.
Yes, Zeppy, spoilt for choice ;) The new veggie plot will grow and grow. I'm getting carried away with all the possibilities. I've always longed to grow butternut squash, so that'll be another first attempt this year (or should I say next...)
That's interesting and sounds a very good tip Breezy and I look forward to seeing your photos thanks Sequee