OKRA (Hibiscus moschataL.)

I. Climatic and Soil Requirements

Soil type does not appear to influence growth or development to any market extent, a wide range of soil types has been found suitable. Well-drained fertile soils with an adequate content of organic materials and reserves of the major elements are most suitable. Some cultivars are sensitive to excessive soil moisture; others are slightly tolerant to salt.

Most cultivars are tolerant to high temperature throughout the growing period. Germination is good at 25°C and above. Okra is resistant to wet and hot climate. It is tolerant to a wide range of rainfall; supplementary irrigation may be required up to the fruiting period, if the rainfall is marginally adequate to maintain vigorous growth.

II. Varieties Developed by Known-You Seed Co. of Taiwan

These F-1 hybrid okravarieties are well-adapted to Philippine conditions, and have good export market to Japan.

1. GreeniePlant is early and vigorous with small parted leaves. Fruit set begins on the 7th to 8th node when it is sown under high temperature conditions (30-35°C) and on the fourth node when it is sown under low temperatures (about 20°C). Fruit is plump, dark green, and pentagonal with good quality.

2. Greenie #2 Plants are vigorous, prolific and medium tall. Petioles are green. Pods are round, green color and almost 6 inches long.

III.Seedling Care and Spacing

Seeds are frequently soaked in clean water for 24 hours before being sown in deeply cultivated soil on ridges or beds 60-80 cm apart, 20-30 cm between plants. Approximately 8-10 kilos of seed is required per hectare. Vigorous cultivars require generous spacing. Agri + Plas silver-black plastic mulching is usually installed after preparing the beds. The terminal bud is sometimes removed to encourage lateral branching.

lV.Land Preparation

Plow and clean the planting area and make a flat bed on sandy soils and a raised bed in sandy loam or clay soils. Use 1 m bed , 0.5 m canal. The bed should be 15-20 cm high above the fertilized level. Use Agri + Plas silver-black plastic mulch to cover prepared plots.

V.Fertilization for Every 20 Linear Meter Bed

2 sacks of Organic Matter150 g Boron

4 kilos Complete fertilizer1 kg Calcium Nitrate150 g Magnesium 150 g Furadan

Though Furadan is not a fertilizer, it is recommended to apply it as basal to control nematodes.

Drenching Schedule

Weeks after transplanting / Calcium Nitrate / Complete
1 / 75 / -
2 / 150 / -
3 / 225 / -
4 / 75 / -
5 / - / 75
6 / - / 150
7 / - / 225
8 / - / 300

The above fertilizer is measured in grams and dissolved in 16 Liters of water on a weekly basis. Apply 150 ml of the solution per plant.

Vl. Irrigation and Drainage

Soil moisture should be adequate throughout the growing period. Irrigation should be applied frequently to prevent the plant from wilting in dry soil. Water consistently when flowers start to form. It is important to maintain dryness on the area between plots. Also, pay attention to proper drainage during wet season.

Vll. Pruning

All side shoots of the plant must be removed in order for the plant to have a uniform size of fruits. Deformed fruits are also suggested to be removed.

Vlll. Pest and Diseases

Pest Control

Aphids Selecron

Thrips Decis

Leaf Miner Trigard

Rust Score, Dithane

lX. Harvest

Young pods may be harvested 60-180 days from sowing, about 5-10 days after flowering. Successive harvesting of young pods is generally recommended since mature pods become fibrous. For the export market and institutional markets like Japanese restaurants, it is important to note the specific length required. The pods are detached by giving them a slight twist which breaks the fruit stalk.

Up to 20 to 30 tons per hectare may be produced, approximately 4-6 fruits per plant, over a harvesting period of 30 to 40 days.

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GreenieF1 Hybrid Okra from Known-You Seed Co. of Taiwan

HARBEST AGRIBUSINESS CORPORATION

No. 5 Rosemarie Lane, Brgy. Kapitolyo, PasigCity

Tel. No. 6717411 to 14 Fax No. (02) 6712232

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