Vegetable Garden Collecting Okra Seed for next year's garden

[magprob]

I grow Cow Horn Okra up here in Idaho. It gets huge and does very well in the north. I just got through cleaning my seed for this spring. Glad to see others growing Cow Horn.

[webcajun]

@magprob … It does very well down here too. We pick em when 6 inches or less in length. They’ve got a very good taste and are very tender at that size……Donald

[MrCrash1956]

just an okra question how long from seed to harvest. mine seem to be taking forever thanks tony

[webcajun]

@MrCrash1956 ...About 2 months......Donald

[oysterace]

leave em in the pods

[dgmunch]

I collected seeds from my okra plants from last year and froze them (I saw a earlier post saying you don't freeze your seeds) but they were dry. However, I planted them and nothing happened. No seeds sprouted. I also had them in a seed planter. Did I do something wrong? Also, does it have something to do with the type of okra plants I bought? I bought the plants (no seeds) last year.

[webcajun]

@dgmunch ...When saving okra seeds I allow the pods to dry completely on the plants. I’ll harvest the pods and collect the dry seeds. Sometimes I’ll leave the pods in a container and get the seeds out when ready to plant. I’ve yet to put them in the frig or freezer. Vegetables that you want to save seeds from should be OP / Heirloom varieties……Donald

[dgmunch]

@webcajun Now when you say OP / Heirloom varieties I'm guessing what they sell as plants from either HD, Lowes or a nusery (I think are Clemson Spineless) aren't the those types. I was going to buy some seeds from you earlier in the year but I guess you were sold out. Thank you by the way!

[kjohndal]

your videos are the best...my best and favorite crops here in north texas are tomatoes, okra and now potatoes. i have picked up some great tips from you. my question on saving okra seeds is; do i need to wait for the pods to dry on the vine, or can i take the large / hard pods during the season and save those for seeds also?

[webcajun]

@kjohndal ... towards the end of the season let the pods dry on the plant then collect the seed......... Donald

[billyfireman]

where do you store your okra seeds can you freeze them

[webcajun]

@billyfireman ... I don't freeze any seed. Just keep them in paper bags or envelopes and keep them dry.......Donald

[logojoogle]

I was wondering if u soak your seeds in anything before u set them out . I have been told by an old timer to soak them in bleach the night before to help them spout. Have u ever done that?

[webcajun]

@logojoogle ... you can soak your okra seed in plain water overnight and it will speed up germination. I usually don't cause I use a planter. Just water the seed in real well after planting and they will do just fine....... Donald

[logojoogle]

@webcajun Thanks for taken the time to reply .

[easein]

This video boarders on beautiful.

Just found your channel and its become one of my favorites. I sincerely hope you keep posting in seasons to come. Invaluable knowledge for those of us who need it, crave it, and were never taught it.

Your farm is beautiful, and you're an inspiration. Thanks.

PS. do you do corn canning? If so, would love a primer.......EZ

[webcajun]

If I can keep the coons out of the corn next year, I'll try to remember to do a vid on canning corn. Glad you enjoy the vids....... Donald

[johndeer7030]

i was just browsing through your videos and i came across this video

can you tell me what is okra and what you use it for?

do you only harvest it for its seeds?

sorry for my ignorance but in England we don't grow this and im curious about it

[webcajun]

I have several other videos about Okra you may want to check out, they will answer most of your questions. In Louisiana we smother the pods with tomatoes, onions, peppers and lots of seasoning. We also use it in our Gumbos. The pods can also be pickled. In this video Im saving the seeds to re-plant next season....... Donald

[johndeer7030]

thanks i ones saw a tv program that mentioned gumbo

i just love your videos donald

Thanks

Matt

[tejava]

SWEET! Thought about how that was done, but figured the seed companies made it so most of them would be duds. Thanks for another great vid Donald. -Tom

[webcajun]

As long as your growing open pollinated / heirloom varieties you can save your seeds from just about any vegetable........ Donald

[realberserker]

re: plastic bags vs paper:

You're right, paper is the way to go. Plastic bags are air tight and they trap moisture. This causes mold and anaerobic bacteria to ruin the seeds. Paper breathes better - I use envelopes from junk mail.

[tennwhitetrash]

I noticed in your video that you said not to store seed in plastic bags. Is there a reason not to store them in plastic bags? I put some tomato seeds in sandwich bags last fall and stored the bags in a ceramic jar. They seem to be growing ok so far this year. They are only a couple inches tall though. Last fall was the first time that I saved seed...

[webcajun]

I have always heard that paper was the way to go go....... Donald

[gardenlady45]

Do you save other seeds like tomato,beans,punkin from your garden?

[webcajun]

This year I'm planting more open pollinated / heirloom varieties so I will be saving more seeds. To prevent cross polination I'll only plant one variety of the ones I plan on saving...... Donald

[neonkhat]

Thanks for posting your series on okra. I've only grown a few plants in the past - like 6. Am going for about 40 this year and your information made me feel much more confident. Bet there is some good eating at your house!

[webcajun]

Okra are very easy to grow and produce like crazy all summer long......  Donald

[coupngal]

I have noticed you do have a large garden. Do you plant for just you and wife or your children as well?

[webcajun]

I supply vegetables for the whole family and sell the rest to help pay expenses...... Donald

[semandoogon]

You are the king of seed saving, compressed air is genius.

[webcajun]

You will lose some seeds but overall it works pretty well.

[webcajun]

You have to let the pods dry on the plant so the seeds will mature. I stopped cutting some time back and noticed the other day they were still flowing so yes I think they would start producing again if you remove all the large pods that are on the plants.

[trooper589]

thats alot of seeds you got there. You end up planting them all the next season? Also you save any of your other seeds?

[webcajun]

That was a lot of seeds and no I didn't use them all. Had plenty left over even after planting over 1200 ft. of Okra this year.

You can save just about any vegetable seed as long as it's not a hybrid. I'm told with hybrids you never know what you'll end up with.

[katygfmu]

Awesome!

[jstrunck]

Hmmm..... Cool Deal! I might have to try it later on.

John S.

[NubMeh]

Do you know where Philippines is? I live there and does Okra grow fast there?

[webcajun]

Okra loves hot, simi-dry conditions. If that's what you have, go for it.

[NubMeh]

Well, they're already growing, I hope they don't die, and yes it is hot and semi-dry here

[suzyjax]

I am going to plant okra for the first time this year, after my mother had such success last year. Your video will help me come fall.

[webcajun]

Don't be in a rush to plant. Okra loves warm weather.