Red Burgundy Okra Seeds AAS Winner 3'-4' plants Container Gardening Edible Flower Heirloom 55 Seeds

Red Burgundy OKRA Seeds AAS Winner Heirloom, Edible Flowers, Edible Fruit

Gorgeous, delicious and prolific heirloom that qualifies as an edible ornamental.

Description

When cooked, the leaves of this hibiscus relative turn a deep lovely shade of purple.

Gorgeous 3-5' ornamental plants produce high numbers of tender 6-8" pods.

There's a pretty contrast between the plant's green leaves against the burgundy stems, branches, leaf ribs and fruits-and a pretty display of yellow-cream flowers.

For optimal texture and flavor, harvest often when the pods are young about 3" long, in about 49-60 days.

This productive burgundy red okra adds a nice crunch, delicious flavor and beautiful color to any soup or stew, especially gumbo!

Harvest and Preserving Tips

Pick young okra pods that are 2-3 inches long and harvest them every other day to encourage continuous production. Cut the pods from the stem just above the cap.

Store pods for several days in the refrigerator in a plastic bag.

Okra pods are delicious steamed, in soups and fried.

Okra may also be stored blanched and frozen.

Interesting Info about Red Burgundy Okra

Native to Ethiopia, okra is the only member of the mallow family (which includes cotton, hibiscus and hollyhock) to bear edible fruit.

Generally speaking, okra pods are green and a staple of many a southern diet.

A relative newcomer, Red Burgundy okra was bred by Leon Robbins at Clemson University and introduced in 1983.

It became the All-America Selections winner in 1988.

So back to the question ?is red okra edible??

Yes. In fact, there really isn?t much difference between red okra and green okra other than the color.

And when red okra is cooked, alas, it loses its red hue and the pods turn green

Fast Facts

• Botanical Name: Abelmoschus esculentus 'Burgundy'
• Height: 36-60 inches
• Spacing: 24 - 36 inches.
• Depth: 1/2 - 1 inch.
• Spread: 36-48 inches
• Light Required: Full Sun
• Pollinator: Self pollinating
• Blooms: Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer, All Summer
• Fruit: Very attractive maroon-red pods that stay tender to 8" long. Pods turn green when cooked.
• Days To Maturity: 55 Days
• Zone: 3-9
• Germination: 10 - 14 Days
• Form: Vegetable, okra, Heirloom
• Flower Form: White flowers.
• Soil Requirements: Loamy Soil, Sandy Soil
• Growth Rate: Medium growth rate.
• Pruning: For optimal texture and flavor, harvest often when the pods are young about 3" long.
• Foliage: green leaves
•  

How to Grow Okra:

Okra may not be a common vegetable found in a garden, but it makes for good canning and pickling. It also can be used in stews. Okra is a warm-weather plant often grown in southern climates. It has a taste similar to eggplant.

Before Planting: Soak the okra in water for 12 to 18 hours prior to planting to soften the outer shell of the seed. Plant okra in the spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed. In northern climates, plant okra indoors four to six weeks prior to the last frost date. Since okra can reach 6 feet tall, plant it in an area of the garden where its shade won?t harm other plants? growth.

Planting: For direct seeding, after frost danger, sow 2? apart, 1/2? deep when soil is warm ? at least 70°F. Thin to 12-18? apart. For transplanting, sow in 2? pots, 2-3 seeds per pot, 1/4? deep and thin to 1 plant when 2? high. Start 4-5 weeks ahead of transplanting out after frost danger when soil is warm. Keep soil mix temp. 80-90°F for best germination rate. Transplant 12-18? apart in rows 3? apart. Do not disturb roots.

Watering: Water 1 inch per week.

Fertilizer: Prior to planting, mix a 10-10-10 fertilizer in with the soil. Once okra reaches 6 inches tall, give a side-dressing of fertilizer. Side-dress again two to three weeks later. Reapply the fertilizer every four to six weeks throughout its growing season.

Days to Maturity: Okra is ready two months after planting. Pods should be approximately 3 inches long when harvested. (See each variety for days to maturity) 

Harvesting: Harvest promptly by clipping pods at 3-4? long to keep plants productive. Oversized pods become tough and decrease overall yield of plant.

Tips: Wear gloves when harvesting, because okra has spines.  You don't have to if you purchase a spineless variety like Blondy or Clemson Spineless Okra 80 (which we also carry).

AVG. Direct Seeding Rate: 1 oz./78?, 13 oz./1,000?, 12 lb./acre at 6 seeds/ft. in rows 36? apart.