Soil is not warm enough for germination; soil temperature must be at least 70°F for okra to germinate. Pre-soak seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing.
Why are my okra seeds not sprouting?
It will grow well only when the weather is warm enough. Okra seeds planted when the soil is still too cool will germinate poorly or not at all. This often happens to gardeners who plant okra seeds in March or early April, before the soil has warmed up enough.
How long it takes for okra seeds to sprout?
two to 12 days
The seeds generally germinate in two to 12 days. Okra will grow in many soil types, so mulch and fertilize as needed. Once the plants start to grow, thin them so they are spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. Okra thrives in the full, hot sun.
What should I do if my seeds do not germinate?
If your seeds aren’t germinating, first examine the amount of water you’re providing. Too much or too little water is the most likely reason for seeds not germinating. With too little or no water, seeds remain dormant.
Is okra hard to grow from seed?
Okra is very easy to grow from seed. It prefers full sun, average moisture without letting the soil dry out completely if possible, and good soil that drains well. A neutral soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is preferred.
How do you germinate okra fast?
To speed germination, soak seeds for a few hours in warm water before sowing. Plant okra seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep and 12 to 18 inches apart in a row. You can soak the seeds overnight in tepid water to help speed up germination.
How do you know if okra seeds are viable?
Water test: Take your seeds and put them in a container of water. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. Then if the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, they most likely will not sprout.
What is the best month to plant okra?
For best yields, plant okra in the spring season two-to-three weeks after all danger of frost has passed, which is about late April or May for this area. For a good fall crop, plant at least three months (around the first part of August) before the first fall frost which can be as early as October 31st.
Should you start okra indoors?
After germination, thin to one plant per pot. Sow okra seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the intended outdoor planting date.
How deep do you plant okra seeds?
To enhance germination, soak okra seeds in water for several hours or overnight before sowing. Space rows 3-feet apart; sow seeds 1-inch deep and 4- to 6-inches apart within the row. When seedlings are several inches tall, thin the row so the remaining plants are spaced 1.5- to 2-feet apart.
Why are my seeds taking so long to germinate?
The primary reasons for failed germination are: Seeds get eaten – mice, voles, birds, and wireworms all eat seeds. Check to see that the seed is still in the soil. Seeds rot – planted too deeply, over-watered, or in cold weather, our untreated seeds may simply rot.
Should you cover seeds when germinating?
Moisten the newly planted seeds with a mister or a small watering can. To speed germination, cover the pots with plastic wrap or a plastic dome that fits over the seed-starting tray. This helps keep the seeds moist before they germinate. When you see the first signs of green, remove the cover.
Which seed takes longest to germinate?
Complete answer: The scientific name Water lotus is Nelumbo nucifera. It has the longest duration of germination viability. Even under ideal germination conditions, the seed can remain dormant for long periods.
Does okra need full sun?
Planting. Okra needs full sun. It will grow in ordinary garden soil but does best in fertile loam, particularly where a nitrogen-fixing crop — such as early peas — grew previously.
How often should you water okra?
Okra loves the heat and can withstand a dry spell, but do your best to give plants 1 inch of water every week.
What can you not plant near okra?
Tips for Crop Rotation
Okra should not follow other crops that are highly susceptible to nematodes such as squash and sweet potatoes. Organic grower “Farmer D” Daron Joffe holds organic okra. Okra should not follow other crops that are highly susceptible to nematodes such as squash and sweet potatoes.
Why is my okra growing so slow?
Okra grows best at temperatures between 75 and 90 °F. When planting okra, gardeners want to ensure that the soil temperature is warm enough so that seeds germinate and begin to grow, as cool soils can lead to slow growth and seedling diseases.
Can you soak okra seeds in bleach before planting?
To my surprise, the seeds soaked in bleach and in water sprouted more readily that those given no pretreatment. From now on, my okra seed get an overnight bath before planting!
Do okra seeds need to be stratified?
They need to be scarified to allow water to penetrate the seed coat and start the germination procedure. Gardeners frequently soak the seed overnight in warm water. Commercial operations buy scarified seed or wait until soil temperature exceeds 70º F to diminish differences in germination rate.
Will old okra seeds germinate?
Yes! Even seeds that are thousands of years old can germinate. But proper pre-treatment is essential, and the older the seed, the less energy it has left in storage. Seeds from annual plants aren’t often designed to last many years, part of what makes the germination process so tricky.
Do good seeds float or sink?
One method to check for seed viability is the water test. Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.