Okra Problems

Question: Why is my okra growing so slow this year and making so few fruit?

Answer: In the mid to deep south this has been an unusually cool spring (dang global warming - you never know how it will manifest itself ;) ). Okra is a heat loving plant that simply will not grow when the soil or the air temperature is cool. It is a hibiscus and cotton relative that loves the heat. Interestingly, the blooms are only open for a day and if not pollinated they will shrivel up and fall off without forming a pod.

Be patient and keep the plants watered and actively growing and when the weather really heats up and its too hot to be in the garden they will be bearing when other vegetables have bit the dust.

For a little more information and interesting history visit this UGA site.