Okra No.3 is a F1 Hybrid which is grown as a annual vegetable. Bhindi is suitable for drought condition. it thrives well in neutral pH soil and rich source of Organic matter. This yield better in warm climate. This can sow either directly to soil or transplant to the main field. It required full sun for crop establishment.
Botanical name:Abelmoschus esculentus
Family: Malvaceae
Plant morphology: Okra is a herbaceous annual plant but it survive only one season. It is grown for its edible seeds pods. Okra plant grow up to an height of 4-6 ft tall. Okra plant have small erect stem with bristly and heart shaped leaves, leaves are 4-8 inches long with 5 lobes. Flowers are with white to yellow in colour with 5 petals, 1.6-3 inches in diameter. Seeds pods are capsule about 10 inches long, which contain numerous seeds.
Common names of Bhindi: Bhindi (hindi), Vendakkai(Tamil), Bende kayi (telugu) bendekai(kannada)
Soil and Climatic requirement: Soil: Bhendi can grow in any soil, for best yield grow in Sandy loam and clay loam soils. Climate: Bendi is warm season crop require long warm season, This can grow in summer and rainy season, It is highly sensitive to frost and seed germinate poorly in ground temperature of 20 c or less.
Crop Duration: 90-100 days
Cropping season: January -March ,June - Aug.
Planting type: Direct sowing
Spacing: Spacing for Hybrid variety Row - row 75c to Plant - plant 30 cm
Depth of sowing:1.5-2.5 Cm
Germination period: 6-18 days
Hours of sunlight required: Minimum 8 Hrs sunlight.
Watering:Crop require moist soil when it germinate, it require irrigation in weekly intervals.
Companion crops:Melons, cucumbers, sweet peppers, eggplant.
Seeds Treatment: Soak seeds in warm water overnight this enhance germination.
Harvesting: Pods are ready for harvest after 2 months from planting. Okra ready to harvest after 4-6 days after flowering, pods should be harvest 2-3 days when they have reached 3-5 inches. Pods can be removed from sharp knife or snapping.
Problems of Okra cultivation
Pests: Aphids, armyworm, Thrips, Corn earworm, Cucumber beetles, spider mite and loopers.
Diseases:Leaf curl diseases, Fusarium wilt,powdery mildew, blight.
