What is an Okra?
Where Can I Find Okra In South Africa?
Does okra grow in South Africa?
There are various types and sub-types of okra for the South African home gardener.
Although relatively low maintenance, okra requires fertile, well-drained soil to thrive and produce consistently good quality healthy seed pods.
Is okra in demand in South Africa?
Okra, one of her main crops, is an indigenous and nutritious African food with many health benefits, according to Mhlongo.
As a result, demand for this vegetable increased noticeably during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In South Africa, we grow Hibiscus esculentus, which some call the Clemson Spineless cultivar.
How long does okra take to grow?
Okra plants will mature in roughly 55 to 65 days and will continue to produce for 10 to 12 weeks. Plants grow to be very tall, reaching heights of three to four feet.
The plants like to be well watered and will take up to an inch of water per week in our area.
What is okra used for in South Africa?
Okra is mostly used in soups and stews and is seldom eaten as a whole fruit. The leaves can be used just as spinach, so the whole plant can be eaten.
The market is very limited and in South Africa, its focus is the Indian population. The young fruits can be pulverized, dried, and used as flavoring in food.