Red Burgundy Okra Seeds

Red Burgundy Okra Seeds Heirloom Vegetable Seeds
Abelmoschus esculentus
Listing is for 1 packet, scoop of seeds, minimum 40 seeds

Red Burgundy okra is a vibrant addition to your garden, boasting stunning red pods on 5-foot-tall plants with green leaves and burgundy stems. These tender, 7-inch-long burgundy pods not only enhance the visual appeal of your garden but also make a colorful and delicious addition to gumbo dishes. Developed by Leo Robbins at Clemson University, this unique okra variety won an All-American Selections award in 1988. Originally from northern Africa, okra holds a special place in African, Mediterranean, and Southern American cuisines due to its historical and culinary significance. 

Follow me on social media because I post a lot of information on how to grow the very same seeds available in my shop. Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: jerrasgarden. 

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sun: 8 hours of full sun. 

Water: Let the soil dry out a little in-between watering

Fertilizer: Okra benefits from regular fertilizer. Use an all purpose organic granular fertilizer like Espoma Garden Tone, so you can fertilize in small amounts, about 1/4 cup every 3 weeks. You can easily burn plants if fertilizing this often with a synthetic fertilizer, thus why I recommend organic.

When To Sow Seeds: General guidelines recommend to start seeds indoors, 10-12 weeks before your last spring frost date. If you gardening in a hot climate (no snow areas), can also sow seeds indoors during the summer to plant for a fall crop. Sow 2-3 seeds, 1/4 inch deep, in solo cups with drainage holes cut out of the bottom. Use heat mats and grow lights to speed up germination and growth. Or a much easier method is to direct sow the seeds after all danger of frost has passed in your area. 

Germination: 4-10 days

Days To Maturity: 80 days

How & When To Harvest: Pods are best harvested between 5-7 inches long for best flavor and texture. 

Common Diseases: Fungal leaf diseases like downy mildew, black spot, and powdery mildew can sometimes be an issue especially in wet conditions. Proper plant spacing to improve air flow, not watering overhead, and pruning out excess foilage helps. Spray with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water every 3 to 5 days until you notice the spread has stopped.  

Common Pests: The most common pest when growing okra is aphids. Use a strong spray of water to dislodge aphids. For more severe infestations, spray with organic insecticidal soap or spinosad. Okra can also get whiteflies and mealybugs. Treat both pests with regular applications of spinosad. Also, use yellow sticky traps to capture adult white flies. 

Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? No

Additional Tips/Information: N/A