QUESTION: Can we grow okra from fresh seeds? What do I need to do? Does the seed need to be dried? -Kevin B.
ANSWER: Yes, fresh okra seeds can be used to grow new okra plants. However, there is a little bit of preparation required to grow okra successfully. Place your okra seeds into the freezer and allow them to cool overnight. This will help to break the seed coat. As okra plants have a taproot which will not allow for easy transplanting, it is best to germinate seeds directly in the ground, or to use peat pods, which can be transplanted into the ground with the seedlings.
Peat pods are starter pods that are already filled with soil, making them perfect for beginner gardeners. Push the seeds down about a half inch into the soil and water them until the soil is moist, but not soggy. Plant two seeds into each pot. There is no need to cover the pots to germinate okra seeds. Water pods once per week about one inch deep.
Pick a location in the garden that receives a lot of sun, keeping the soil temperatures between 75 and 90 degrees F. Test the soil with a soil test kit. Okra plants prefer a soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5. If necessary, make some amendments to the soil before planting to get the pH level into okra’s sweet spot.
Once the seedlings have sprouted, dig a hole the size of the peat pot for every okra plant that you are growing and set the peat pots into the holes, packing the soil back in around the peat pot. Okra should be planted nine to 12 inches apart in rows spread three to six feet apart. If two okra plants sprouted in your peat pot, thin down to one by just pinching the plant off by hand. Water the soil to a depth of six inches just after transplanting the pods into their new homes.
Thank you for your help. Will give it a try.
thank you for the information regarding seed preparation i was searching for the answer to grow from fresh seed, i will come back with updates.
Awesome. I couldn’t get Okra plants anywhere. So I will put my fresh seeds in the freezer tonight and I will plant them tomorrow in the ground. Wish me luck! I will report back. Thank you
After overnight in freezer… ??? Pls 🤔🤔 thanks
After putting white okra seeds in the freezer overnight, do I need to let them dry further? When can I plant?
THNX!
My okra seeds do not germinate. I am told to put the seeds in a pot of water and pick those that sink to the base and those that float will not germinate. The seeds are from my own plant Please guide me to select the seeds from one pot containing many seeds.
Freeze fresh seeds and then cool down in the refrigerator overnight? or Freeze fresh seeds overnight?