First visit to GardenStew? Learn more Already a member? -> Sign in     Not a member yet? -> Register


how do I save okra seeds for next year?



To hide these ads please register / sign in




daisybeans

annapolis md
Posts: 3675
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:49 pm   Post subject: how do I save okra seeds for next year?


Quick question!
I have some okra pods that I picked tonight that are too big (woody) to eat. Can I save the seeds for next year? If so, how do I do that?

Thank you! DaisyB. Stew Face 2 [/img]




To hide these ads please register / sign in

_________________
Daisybeans/MaryAnn

"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
Back to top
Profile | PM | My Garden | My Blog



Sjoerd

West - Friesland
Posts: 6915
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:08 am   Post subject:


I personally would have let the pods dry and turn brown on the plant. I say this because I have spoken with a southern gardner in the U.S. in the past when I was looking into growing okra here, and part of the conversation covered the topic of saving seeds. She said that okra seeds were notorious for not keeping well, so what I am about to write may not work for you at all.
did not reckon that
Having said that, let me continue--

First of all, I have never saved or grown Okra...but the way that I save Paprika seeds may work for you.

--open the old fruit and remove all the seeds.

--I place these seeds on a paper towel and lay that on the window sill for a week or two.

--When the seeds are well and truly dry, I remove the from the paper towel and put them in a sealed paper envelope, which I keep stored in a dry, cool and dark place.

In light of the advice that I got, I am wondering if it would not be better to keep the seeds in some of the pods and just save pod and all, taking the seeds out only when you are ready to plant them.
You could do a little study with seeds saved both ways. It would make a good article for here on the Stew.
I for one, would like reading it.


_________________
Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html


Last edited by Sjoerd on Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:32 am; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
Profile | PM | Website | My Garden



daisybeans

annapolis md
Posts: 3675
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:58 am   Post subject:


You know, I had a feeling it might be better to leave the pods on the stalk, but unfortunately not before I had already cut them.... oh well. There are a few more pods out there -- I'll leave them be. Then I'll have a little study with three options. I like that idea, Sjoerd. Something to research. Thank you!


_________________
Daisybeans/MaryAnn

"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
Back to top
Profile | PM | My Garden | My Blog



Sjoerd

West - Friesland
Posts: 6915
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:11 am   Post subject:


Ok, Professor B-- good luck.


_________________
Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
Back to top
Profile | PM | Website | My Garden



Bluewolf

NE Indiana (zone 5a/b)
Posts: 225
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:08 pm   Post subject:


I grow Okra and have saved the seed pods to dry out
and also have left them on the plant for a little while they pretty much worked the same
I just leave them in the pods in an uncovered bowl till the following year and when I am ready to plant just break open the pod in the bowl to get seperate the seeds from the "chaf"

haven't had any problems in 5 years Very Happy


_________________
"No Act of Kindness,No Matter How Small,is Ever Wasted"-Aesop
Back to top
Profile | PM | My Garden



daisybeans

annapolis md
Posts: 3675
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:15 am   Post subject:


Cool. Thanks Bluewolf. This was the first time I grew okra and I liked it so much, I want to grow a lot more next year.


_________________
Daisybeans/MaryAnn

"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
Back to top
Profile | PM | My Garden | My Blog



Bluewolf

NE Indiana (zone 5a/b)
Posts: 225
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:26 am   Post subject:


you're very welcome Very Happy
how do you like it fixed?

I love it fried


_________________
"No Act of Kindness,No Matter How Small,is Ever Wasted"-Aesop
Back to top
Profile | PM | My Garden



daisybeans

annapolis md
Posts: 3675
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:59 am   Post subject:


My aunts bread it in cornmeal and fry it with other veggies and call it "Stuff." When I cook it, I just saute in olive oil with herbs and then drizzle a little lemon juice. Or butter. Depends on how healthy I feel like being! Ha! I thought the plants were pretty too.


_________________
Daisybeans/MaryAnn

"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
Back to top
Profile | PM | My Garden | My Blog



Bluewolf

NE Indiana (zone 5a/b)
Posts: 225
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:52 pm   Post subject:


daisybeans wrote:
My aunts bread it in cornmeal and fry it with other veggies and call it "Stuff." When I cook it, I just saute in olive oil with herbs and then drizzle a little lemon juice. Or butter. Depends on how healthy I feel like being! Ha! I thought the plants were pretty too.


AHA you're one of those healthy folks Laughing
We coat them with a batter made out of "Drakes Mix"
Then pan fry

The reason you find the plants so pretty is because Okra is a type of hibiscus
I plant them in my flower garden so as to have more room in the "veggie field" Very Happy


_________________
"No Act of Kindness,No Matter How Small,is Ever Wasted"-Aesop
Back to top
Profile | PM | My Garden

To hide these ads
please register / sign in


Hi visitor! Need to ask a question? Sign up for free today.



Ways to share this page (copy and paste codes):
Simple link:
Forums:
HTML:






     Sponsored Links