Hello,

I live in southeast England and a have obtained some Okra seeds.

I have read some research from the internet about this plant - but what I need to know is are these plants climbers? Do they need to grow with support from cane sticks?

Many thanks
Juls

I have grown okra in the past and the plant is a stalk type plant similar to corn, and the longer you let the okra hang on the plant the tougher it gets and stringy like celery

Dear Julius,
I live in Texas U.S.A... Conservative85 is right. Good Luck I love Orka too! Rose :)

Okra is a member of the cotton family and has a strong, tough, fibrous stalk. It needs NO support!
It is a warm climate plant so it will grow less vigioursly in cooler climates. I have had decent results in southern Connecticut. Partial shade to full sun. Full sun is best.
Depending on the variety it can grow so tall you will have to bend it over to pick the okra. There are shorter varieties like cajun jewel and burgundy which turn green when cooked.
Pick okra pods while still young and two to four inches long. Keeping the pods picked will increase productivity of the plant.
Try steaming it lightly and serving with butter rather than boiling it to mush. Larger pods can chopped up and used in gumbo. The key to toughness is whether it is easy enough to chop up... when raw.