When to harvest okra?

[balaji27]

Hello Team,

Please advise how long I should wait to pluck the okra out from the plant, the two okras in the plant are very hard (one is relatively softer), its been more than a week now. Please refer to the pic. Thanks Balaji.

[Jason · Accepted solution]

Where are you based @balaji27?

I note in the Bunnings guide How to plant and grow okra under flowering and fruiting that hibiscus-like, cream-coloured flowers with a magenta throat are produced 12–14 weeks from sowing, quickly followed by long, slender, edible green pods, which should be harvested at around 7–8cm long.

I also note from the guide it grows best in tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate climates, but can also be grown in arid/semi-arid and cold climates over summer. 

Jason

[balaji27]

Hi Jason,

I am based at Adelaide. Yes, I got a couple of flowers and noticed Okra started growing, but it is hard so I didn't pluck it. I will read through the guide you shared, thanks a lot. Regards, Balaji.