Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), a warm-weather vegetable grown for its immature seed pods, comes from Africa and Asia. It is a big part of Southern food, especially gumbo, which is the signature dish of the area. You can grow okra from seed in the home garden. You need to soak okra seeds before planting them because their shells are hard. This will help them sprout.
Okra seeds have a hard seed coat that can impede proper germination. As a result, the seeds need to be scarified and soaked prior to planting. To scarify the seeds, simply rub them with sandpaper. You should then soak the seeds for 12 to 24 hours prior to planting. You can do this by wrapping the seeds in a wet paper towel. With this method, okra germination time is approximately a week.
Should You Soak Okra Seeds Before Planting?
Okra is a warm-weather loving vegetable that thrives in hot humid environments. Getting okra seeds to germinate and produce seedlings requires warm soil temperatures and adequate moisture. This has led some gardeners to believe that soaking okra seeds prior to planting is beneficial or even necessary. But is it? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of soaking okra seeds before direct sowing them into your garden.
The Purpose of Soaking Seeds
The main reason for soaking seeds before planting is to speed up the germination process. By fully imbibing (absorbing water), the seed’s metabolism kicks into gear. Enzymes and other biological processes are activated. The seed becomes primed and ready to sprout more quickly once planted in suitable growing conditions.
Soaking can be especially useful for seeds with hard outer coatings that delay or prevent water uptake. It softens the seed coat so moisture can penetrate. Okra seeds have a relatively soft seed coat so this is less of a concern.
Potential Benefits of Soaking Okra Seeds
Here are some of the potential benefits of soaking okra seeds prior to sowing:
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Quicker germination – Presoaked seeds may sprout a few days sooner than unsoaked seeds. This gives them a slight head start.
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More uniform germination – When all seeds imbibe fully beforehand, they are more likely to germinate at the same time after planting.
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Insurance against dry conditions – If you soak seeds and planting is followed by a dry spell, the presoaked seeds have enough moisture already absorbed to still sprout and grow.
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Avoiding seed float – Okra seeds can sometimes be washed away by heavy rains or irrigation before they sprout if planting was preceded by overly dry conditions. Soaked seeds are anchored in place better.
Potential Drawbacks of Soaking Okra Seeds
However, there are also some potential disadvantages to soaking okra seeds:
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Increased chance of rot and fungal issues – Continually wet, warm conditions make seeds prone to rot and damping off diseases. Proper drying before planting helps avoid this.
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Logistical challenges – You need to plan soaking time ahead of planting and deal with drying and storing the soaked seeds properly in the interim.
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Possible damage to sprouted seeds – If seeds sprout and begin growing root tips during soaking, physical handling when planting can damage tender new growth.
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Dependent on weather – If conditions quickly turn dry after planting presoaked seeds, the benefit is diminished. Frequent irrigation is still needed.
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Not guaranteed to improve stands – There are no guarantees soaking will increase total seedling establishment. Environmental factors in the ground ultimately determine survival rates.
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Added time and effort – Soaking requires more planning and steps compared to simply direct sowing dry seeds.
Soaking Okra Seeds is Optional, Not Essential
Based on the considerations above, soaking okra seeds before planting is purely optional. While it may provide some potential benefits under the right circumstances, it is not required or essential to get seeds to sprout and grow.
As long as you sow okra seeds when soil temperatures are sufficiently warm (at least 65-70°F) and you provide consistent moisture during germination, they should sprout well without any soaking beforehand.
Here are some tips for direct sowing okra seeds without pre-soaking:
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Wait until 2 weeks after the average last spring frost date or when soils reach 65°F.
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Plant seeds 1 inch deep in rows spaced 2-3 feet apart. Space seeds 6 inches apart within rows.
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Cover planted rows with vented plastic, fabric row cover, or cloches to retain warmth and moisture. Remove once sprouted.
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Water the planted rows regularly with a gentle spray to keep the top inch of soil constantly moist.
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Use mulch around plants later to maintain consistent soil moisture and reduce weeds.
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Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart once established to allow enough room for growth.
If you do choose to soak okra seeds:
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Use warm water and soak seeds 6-12 hours. No longer than 24 hours maximum.
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Spread seeds in a single layer and stir gently a few times while soaking.
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Drain excess water and spread seeds on a paper towel to dry slightly before planting within 12-24 hours.
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Take care not to damage emerging root tips when planting sprouted seeds.
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Water transplants daily with a light mist spray to prevent seedling wilt and death.
Test different methods each season to find what works best for your specific growing conditions. With a little trial and error, you can determine if soaking okra seeds is beneficial in your garden or an unnecessary step. Pay close attention to soil moisture and temperature above all else for robust germination and stands.
Okra Planting and Care
As a tropical plant, okra grows best when air temperatures are between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the soil has reached 65 degrees, two to three weeks after the last frost in the spring is the best time to plant seeds. If you plant okra seeds in soil that is too cold, they may not germinate. In cold conditions, young seedlings may die. Before the last frost, you can also start the seeds indoors and move them to the garden once the soil is warm enough.
Okra plants produce flowers that resemble those of hibiscus plants. If you want your okra to flower well, plant it where it will get full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. This also helps produce the best possible crop. To help okra plants grow strong, deep roots, you should water them to a depth of about 6 inches.
Okra can be harvested once the seed pods are between 2 and 4 inches in length. The length of time between germination and harvest is usually about 55 days. Avoid leaving the pods on the plant for too long, as they will become tough and unpalatable.
Tips for Growing Okra
You can harvest seeds from your okra plantings to use the following season. Seeds are also available for purchase. But before you buy okra seeds, you should check the packaging for an expiration date. If the seeds are close to expiring, they may not germinate even with soaking.
Okra plants are capable of growing in many different types of soil. However, they will perform best in sandy loams that have been amended with organic matter. The soil should have a pH between 5. 8 and 6. 5, so its a good idea to have your soil tested prior to planting. If tomatoes, squash, or potatoes were grown in the same soil as okra, you should not plant okra there again. These vegetables are vulnerable to root nematodes, which can stay in the soil and hurt okra.
It is important to keep weeds under control when growing okra by cultivating the soil and using mulch made of natural materials. This is especially important when the plants are becoming established.
Guide to Planting Okra – Soaking Okra Seed
FAQ
What seeds should be soaked before planting?
What happens if you don’t soak seeds before planting?