Okra is a herb that has a number of beneficial properties. Today, many gardeners are engaged in its cultivation. However, due to climatic conditions, it does not always take root. In this case, you need to know the rules of planting and care, which will allow you to grow strong okra with a rich harvest.
Description
Okra belongs to the Malvov family. This is a useful plant that is used both as an independent dish and fresh. However, ripe fruits (over 5 days) become fibrous. Okra has many names:
- Lady fingers;
- okra;
- gombo;
- абельмош;
- hibiscus is edible.
Okra is considered to be a valuable vegetable crop. It is especially widespread in Africa, North America, India. It is believed that the Arabs brought Okra to Europe. Today it is grown in Russia and Ukraine.
The vegetable tastes like asparagus, zucchini and young eggplants.
Chemical composition
The fruits contain 90 gr. water. They include:
- 2 gr. squirrel;
- 8 gr. carbohydrates;
- 2 gr. fat.
The bulk of gombo’s carbohydrates are fiber. In 100 gr. fruits contain 15% of the daily value of dietary fiber. Also, the vegetable contains chlorophyll, calcium, sodium, magnesium, vitamins.
Appearance
The gombo bush can reach a height of 40 cm in height. However, cases have been recorded when it exceeded 2 meters. This plant has a rather thick, branched stem. The leaves are light green in color. They are large and slightly pulled down. Basically, the leaves are seven-lobed, but there are five.
The flowers of the edible hibiscus are yellowish-creamy. They grow on stalks between leaves. Fruits are formed from the flowers. Among gardeners, they are called “boxes”. The fruits received such a nickname for the light of their appearance: 4 or 8-sided shape, inside which there are seeds. Above the box is covered with fluff.
Growing and caring
Okra is grown through seedlings. She does not tolerate picks, therefore, at the beginning of May, the plant is planted in separate containers. Before you start growing okra, you need to soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. After that, they should be placed in peat cups. The seeds are deepened into the soil by 3-4 cm. The soil must be pre-fertilized. The seedlings should be kept in a room that maintains a temperature of 22-24 degrees. In addition, the room must be regularly ventilated, otherwise you can get overheating or waterlogging of the air, which will negatively affect the growth and condition of the seedlings.
Phosphate fertilizer can be used for the first feeding. It is necessary to add it to the soil immediately after the emergence of sprouts and throughout their development. Gombo is ready for planting in a greenhouse or greenhouse 45 days after sowing the seeds. When planting, it is necessary to observe the distance between plants – about 40 cm.
Planting and leaving
Seedling okra should be planted in late May or early June. During this period, the soil should be warmed up at a depth of 4 cm by more than 15 degrees. Seedlings should be planted deep enough – 3-5 cm. Beforehand, it should be treated from pests, since okra is quite susceptible to them. It is recommended to process the seedlings with a solution of copper sulfate. It is important to note that this crop should not be processed during flowering.
It is interesting to note that edible hibiscus can be used as a compaction crop for cucumbers. You can also put it on a separate bed.
Moisten the soil before sowing. Subsequent watering should take place after 7 days. Many gardeners consider the environment to be a capricious plant, since it does not tolerate both waterlogging of the soil and its drying out. Based on this, it is recommended to mulch the soil with humus after planting. Thanks to this, the plant will not need frequent watering, while the mulch will retain the moisture received, preventing the soil from replanting.
When the edible hibiscus grows up, it must be thinned out to a distance of 35 centimeters between the plants. Please note that throughout the growing season, the soil in which the gombo is planted needs to be cultivated. This is necessary for the correct development of the plant and a high-quality harvest.
Okra should be watered once every 10 days. In hot weather, you can increase watering up to 1 time in 7 days. Caring for the gombo involves installing a support. It is necessary so that its branches with the harvest do not come into contact with the ground, otherwise it will begin to rot. If okra grows very slowly, then it can be fed with mineral fertilizer.
With proper care and creating the necessary conditions, the first harvest can be obtained after 2.5 months. When flowering, it is permissible to feed this crop with potassium nitrate.
Memo to the gardener:
- Intensive care of the gombo is only necessary for 1 month after disembarkation. During this period, you will have to regularly weed the beds and maintain stable soil conditions.
- Throughout the growth of edible hibiscus, the formation of a hard crust on the soil and the active development of weeds are not allowed. The soil should be loosened every 10-12 days, supplemented with weeding if necessary. It is important to remember that weeds will harm the gombo, so they should not be allowed to grow in the beds.
- During periods of prolonged drought, special attention should be paid to watering the okra. The soil must be soaked 35 cm deep.
- When the plant reaches 40 cm in height, it is advisable to pinch the main shoot to increase tillering.
- As the side branches grow, it is preferable to tie the hibiscus to supports. Most often, a garter is enough only in windy areas where the bushes do not retain their shape well.
It is worth noting that the bear is especially dangerous for this culture. It feeds on small sprouts. Most often it can be seen on the back of a piece of paper.
Beneficial features
It has been scientifically proven that okra has a number of valuable properties. Even in ancient times, it was used in folk medicine to treat diseases:
- Gastrointestinal tract. This plant contains a large amount of magnesium, zinc, manganese, cellulose, and vitamins of different groups, due to which the vegetable has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Okra promotes the healing of erosion and ulcers. Eating a vegetable normalizes the production of digestive juices and delicately cleanses the intestines.
- Respiratory organs. Edible hibiscus relieves inflammation and reduces airway sensitivity. Prevents swelling of the mucous membranes. The pods contain a lot of ascorbic acid, which enhances local bronchopulmonary immunity.
- Of cardio-vascular system. Regular consumption of the vegetable has a positive effect on the blood and the condition of the heart and blood vessels. Microcirculation in the capillary network is restored. The hemoglobin level rises. Also, the vegetable prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
It should be noted that this plant contains folic acid, which is especially necessary for women during pregnancy. It is recommended to introduce a vegetable into the diet in the 1st trimester. It helps in the proper formation of the baby’s neural tube, which prevents the formation of malformations of the brain and spinal cord.
Application
Due to its unusual taste and healing properties, this plant is widely used in various fields:
- In medicine. Edible hibiscus is used to make remedies for the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis, gastritis, ulcers, and other ailments.
- In dietetics. Okra is recommended to be added to food for people who want to lose weight. Due to its high fiber content, it dulls hunger between meals.
- In cosmetology. Improves the quality of hair, nails and skin. It is interesting to note that Queen Cleopatra added this vegetable to her diet.
- In cooking. The vegetable has a spicy taste that acquires exquisite notes during the cooking process. Can be combined with rice, fish, vegetables, meat, mushrooms.
Okra is an exotic vegetable that is becoming more and more popular with gardeners every year. Its properties have a positive effect on beauty and health. In addition, she is also able to diversify any dish, giving it a special piquancy.
