{"product_id":"okra-red-burgundy","title":"OKRA-RED BURGUNDY","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Grow Okra Red Burgendy\n\n\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOkra thrives in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure before planting. The ideal pH range for growing okra is between 6.0 to 6.8.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePlant okra seeds directly into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Space the seeds about 2-3 cm (1 inch) deep, with a distance of 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) between each seed. Or plant 7cm apart and thin out after germination.  Alternatively, (\u0026amp; in cool climates) start the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and transplant outdoors after the last frost.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWater consistently. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. It's important to water the plants at the base to avoid getting the foliage wet, as this can lead to fungal diseases.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFertilise regularly as Okra is a heavy feeder. Apply a balanced fertiliser, such as 10-10-10 or 12-12-12, every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Alternatively, you can use organic fertilisers such as fish emulsion or compost tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eControl Pests and Disease with regular checks and remove any pests by hand or use an insecticidal soap. Red Burgundy Okra is relatively pest-resistant but can still fall victim to common okra pests such as aphids and stink bugs.   Okra can also be susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. To prevent this, avoid overhead watering and provide adequate air circulation around the plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHarvest when the pods reach 7-10 cm (3-4 inches) in length. Harvest regularly, every 2-3 days, to encourage the plant to produce more pods. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut the pods off the plant, being careful not to damage the stem or leaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAdditional growing tips for Okra Red Burgendy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSoak Seeds in Warm Tea Before Planting:   \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSoaking okra seeds in warm \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003echamomile tea\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eseaweed extract solution\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e for 12–24 hours before planting helps soften the hard seed coat and promotes faster germination. Chamomile also has antifungal properties that help protect seedlings.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUse Mycorrhizal Fungi at Planting:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAdding \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003emycorrhizal inoculants\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to the soil or seed hole improves nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus, which boosts root health and pod production. Okra responds well to these beneficial fungi, especially in organic gardens.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHeat Boost with Black Plastic Mulch:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTo supercharge early growth, especially in cooler climates, lay down \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eblack plastic mulch\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e before planting. It warms the soil, suppresses weeds, and conserves moisture, giving okra a head start in spring.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFoliar Feeding for Explosive Growth:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSupplement your soil fertilizing with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ebiweekly foliar sprays\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e of diluted seaweed or fish emulsion. Foliar feeding ensures trace minerals are delivered directly to the plant, stimulating more flowering and higher yields.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePinch the Tops for Bushier Plants:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOnce your okra plants reach about 30 cm (12 inches), \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003epinch off the growing tip\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to encourage branching. More branches mean more flowers and pods. This also results in a compact plant that’s easier to harvest.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUse Companion Plants for Pest Repellent Effect:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePlant \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ebasil, nasturtium, or marigolds\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e near your okra. These aromatic plants can deter aphids and stink bugs. Basil also improves pollinator activity, which indirectly supports okra flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNighttime Harvest for Better Texture:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTry harvesting okra \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eearly in the morning or after sunset\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e when the plant is more hydrated. This can result in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eless fibrous pods\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e and better texture, especially during hot summer days when the pods toughen quickly.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAdd Epsom Salt Sparingly:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSprinkle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 tablespoon of Epsom salt\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e (magnesium sulfate) per plant once a month around the base, especially if you notice pale leaves or poor pod set. Magnesium boosts chlorophyll production and flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDeep Water Soak Once a Week:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eInstead of frequent shallow watering, give okra a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003edeep soak once per week\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, allowing water to penetrate at least 6–8 inches. This encourages deep root systems, making the plant more drought-resilient.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStaggered Planting Every 2 Weeks:  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTo extend your harvest, plant a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003enew batch of seeds every 2–3 weeks\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e for 6–8 weeks. This ensures continual pod production and prevents a glut or a dry spell in your harvest cycle.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHeritage of Okra Red Burgendy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eDeveloped in 1983\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeon Robbins of Clemson University\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eSouth Carolina, USA\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e as part of a breeding program focused on diversity and ornamental appeal. Despite its university-based development, it was bred using \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003etraditional, non-GMO techniques\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, and is now \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eprized for its \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb style=\"font-style: inherit;\"\u003edeep burgundy-red pods and stems\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, which contrast beautifully with green foliage. These traits are both ornamental and functional — the pods retain flavor and tenderness when harvested early.  \u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOkra itself is of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb style=\"font-style: inherit;\"\u003eAfrican origin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, brought to the Americas via the transatlantic slave trade, where it became integral to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb style=\"font-style: inherit;\"\u003eAfrican-American, Creole, and Southern U.S. cuisine\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e.  Red burgendy Okra is a relatively recent cultivar (not ancient), which has been adopted quickly into Southern heirloom gardening traditions blending or\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;\"\u003enamental beauty with deep cultural culinary roots.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n ","brand":"Direct Compost Solutions","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55020602032500,"sku":"OKRB","price":3.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1006\/7171\/7748\/files\/OKRA_RED_BURGUNDY.jpg?v=1785570867","url":"https:\/\/directcompostsolutions.com\/products\/okra-red-burgundy","provider":"DIRECT COMPOST SOLUTIONS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}