Heavy Hitter Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus | Heirloom | Non-GMO)
One of the highest-yielding okra varieties available, with individual plants capable of producing up to 150 pods per season under good growing conditions. Plants grow up to 2 metres tall with sturdy, heavily branching stems, well suited for commercial market production.
- Days to first harvest: 50-70 days from sowing
- Optimal temperature: 24°C-28°C, well matched to Zambia’s warm climate
- Lifespan: In Zambia’s warm conditions, plants can be cut back to 60 cm after harvest and will regrow to produce another crop, giving multiple seasons from a single planting
- Sunlight: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily
- Soil: Well-draining, fertile sandy-loam soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0
- Spacing: 30-45 cm between plants, with rows 120 cm apart
- Germination: 7-15 days. Soak seeds in water for 12-24 hours before planting to improve germination rate
Pods remain tender up to 15 cm long. Harvest every 2-3 days during peak production, the more you pick, the more the plant produces.
Yields will vary depending on soil quality, rainfall, irrigation, and farm management practices.
