A: The bumps are “stings” from stinkbug feeding. Stinkbugs insert their hollow mouthpart into the okra skin and suck out juice. When they leave, the pod heals the wound with a characteristic white bump.
Why is my okra knotty?
Root-knot nematodes are microscopic roundworms that can pierce the roots of certain plant species and lay their eggs inside the roots. This gives the roots a “knotty” appearance (Figure 1 and Figure 2) and results in a wilted or stunted appearance of the whole plant.
Why is okra deformed?
The primary culprits for curling pods are sap-sucking insects like the leaf-footed bug and the stink bug. Leaf-footed bugs are prehistoric-looking insects 1/2″ to 3/4″ in length. They range from brown to gray to black, and they have leaf-shaped flanges on their hind legs, which gives them their name.
Should okra be soft or hard?
What should you look for when buying fresh okra? Avoid choosing pods that are very hard because they will be bitter and difficult to eat. Pods that are too soft are overripe and will not taste as good either. They should be firm, bright green pods under 4 inches long.
Why is my okra so Woody?
The longer they grow, the tougher they are. The pods become woody, the spines firmer, and the stems harder to cut.
Can you eat okra with bumps?
Stinkbug feeding causes white bumps on okra pods. A: The bumps are “stings” from stinkbug feeding.
When should I pick okra?
Harvest the okra when seed pods are 1 to 2 days old and 2 to 4 inches long; these appear about 2 months after planting. This is when okra is at its softest and most digestible. Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife. If the stem is too hard to cut, the pod is probably too old and should be tossed.
Which is the most serious disease of okra?
Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV):
This is the most important and destructive viral disease in bhendi. The disease infects at all the stages of crop growth and severely reduces growth and yield. The disease is transmitted by white fly.
Can you eat curled okra?
This could be caused by insects feeding on the pods. Certain sucking insects, such as stinkbugs and leaf-footed bugs, inject chemicals into the pods causing the pods to stop or slow down growth in that area. The other side, which is growing normally, results in a curved or bent pod. The pods can still be eaten.
Can okra get too much water?
Underwatering or overwatering is bad for Okra plants
Overwatering may also lead to the same effect. Too much water can clog the soil and prevent the roots of the okra plant from accessing oxygen found in the small pockets of air in the soil.
What happens when you overcook okra?
If overcooked, okra can become slimy and unappetizing. To prevent this from happening, a quick, oil-free saute is a delicious way to cook okra. With fresh tomatoes and herbs, this makes a lovely summer side dish.
How do you know if okra is overripe?
Okra should be bright green, and never dark green or brown, or have black spots or mould. Okra that has gone bad will feel sticky or slimy to the touch and have created a thin mucus or membrane that coats the pod. You can store okra for 2-3 days in the fridge, or processed for up to 12 months in the freezer.
Can you eat hard okra?
If it’s really too hard to soften even like that, you might still be able to get some use out of it as a thickener but I don’t think you’ll ever be eating it on its own. If you want to try thickening with it, I’d cut it into bigger chunks, so that you can easily fish them out once they’ve done their work.
What can I do with Woody okra?
You can eat it raw or cooked, stewed, grilled, pickled, or fried. Put it in soups and stews, or season it and make a snack of it. It’s all good, and good for you, too.
How can you tell if okra is Woody?
The pods are tender when young but become tough and develop an unpalatable, characteristic okra woody texture when they are bigger.
How often should I 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 are the white things in okra?
This “mucilage” or slime contains soluble fiber that we can digest. Some folks enjoy this texture, while others try to mask the slippery nature of the pods.
How long will fresh okra keep in the refrigerator?
three days
Storage and food safety
Refrigerate unwashed, dry okra pods in the vegetable crisper, loosely wrapped in perforated plastic bags. Wet pods will quickly mold and become slimy. Okra will keep for only two or three days.
How do you pick good okra?
Look for smooth, tender, blemish-free, bright green pods. Avoid pods with brown spots or dry end. If you’re cooking it quickly, like in a sauté, use okra that’s under 4 inches long. If you’re stewing it or using it in a gumbo, look for the tougher, larger pods.
What does okra look like when it’s ready to pick?
Yet for okra you want small pods. The pods should be a very vibrant color, either green or purple depending on the variety you are growing. Pale pods, even if the right size, can be woody. Pods form quickly during the peak of summer and you should look to harvest every 2-3 days.
How many okra will one plant produce?
How much okra can you get from one plant? If your okra plants have ideal conditions, they can produce 20 – 30+ pods per plant. In a warmer hardiness zone such as zone 9b, you will have a longer growing season, into the fall or longer.