Do you know what these beautiful flowers are?
They are okra flowers!
They only bloom and open fully for about two days before they start turning into okra pods...
 |
| Okra flowers |
Aren't they beautiful?
Do they remind you of hibiscus flowers? That's because I found out okra is in the hibiscus family. Who knew? It's fascinating how similar plants can be yet so completely different in use. Hibiscus flowers, hibiscus tea, okra flowers let them become pods.
We are growing two okra plants this year, they are starting to produce and we've missed a few and they are too big to eat but I'm saving them to dry out and use as a Christmas craft suggested by one of our blog readers. But until then, we'll enjoy eating some as well. Last year, I turned 2nd Man into a fried okra fan. This year I hope to figure out some other okra dishes that might not gross him out, LOL.
Do they remind you of hibiscus flowers? That's because I found out okra is in the hibiscus family. Who knew? It's fascinating how similar plants can be yet so completely different in use. Hibiscus flowers, hibiscus tea, okra flowers let them become pods.
We are growing two okra plants this year, they are starting to produce and we've missed a few and they are too big to eat but I'm saving them to dry out and use as a Christmas craft suggested by one of our blog readers. But until then, we'll enjoy eating some as well. Last year, I turned 2nd Man into a fried okra fan. This year I hope to figure out some other okra dishes that might not gross him out, LOL.
I know; the flowers are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteNeed to save seeds from some of them larger okra pods but Do Not pick if you are wanting to save seeds. Let the pods grow and grow.
Gardeners raising seed pods to eat should pick them when they are about 3 inches long. Those collecting okra seeds, however, must wait awhile longer and allow the okra seed pod to grow as big as it can.
For okra seed harvesting, the seed pods must dry on the vine and beginning to crack or split. At that point, you can remove the pods and split or twist them. The seeds will come out easily, so keep a bowl nearby. Since no fleshy vegetable matter clings to the seeds, you don’t need to wash them. Instead, dry the seeds in the open air for a few days, then store them in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
Although some okra seeds can remain viable for up to four years, many do not. It’s best to use collected okra seeds the next growing season. For best results, soak the seeds in water for a day or two before planting.
Great information!
DeleteWhat Tonya said, this is great info. Thank you. I did save some last year but this year I forgot about planting them and it was too late to start them. But I'll do that next year for sure. Thank you!!!
DeleteI like okra in my vegetable soup. Fried okra is good too but I make a point to not eat many fried foods.
ReplyDeleteYep, fried is so good but not always the best option, ha. I love it though just about any way.
DeleteI've never had okra. I don't know what it looks like, so when you fry some, I hope you'll share a photo. Or I can Google it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Here you go Janie; recipe that 1st Man's last year recipe. :}
Deletehttps://twomenandalittlefarm.blogspot.com/search?q=Okra
1st man, maybe you could put your recipes in 'Our Kitchen Recipes' after posting them here so that they would be easier to find :}
Thank you, I'll have some more later when it's coming in buckets, ha. And thank you Colleen, you beat me to it. I didn't realize they weren't there. I will have to add all the recent ones. Thank you!!
DeleteI love love love Okra flowers. Unfortunately, they only open during the sunny portion of the day, so by the time I get home from work they are closed. I was growing Burgundy Okra and enjoying one or two blooms for a few hours each weekend day. So I gave up :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, now that you mention it, I do see them during the weekend day and then when we leave they are all "gone", i.e. closed up.
DeleteI think the plants are so pretty (plus we love okra) that we grow in on the inside of the fence line near the pool. I plant zinnias in front of them to form a visual border in front of the stalk and I enjoy pretty flowers and more pretty flowers that turn into dinner.
ReplyDeleteThey do make a pretty plant. I bet that's nice along the fence line. And zinnias would be pretty. I never thought about them as a fence line plant. What a great idea to use them as a decorative plant AND something edible. And love the way you describe them as flowers that turn into dinner.
Deletei love okra. it's so good freshly picked, split and sprinkle with pepper and salt! okra flowers might be my favorite of all flowers. they are so elegant and beautiful. i forgot to plant it this year.
ReplyDeletesplit and sprinkled with salt and pepper and what? Baked? Raw? Fried? Don't leave me hanging, ha . I never really looked at the flowers before but you are right they are VERY pretty.
DeleteA gorgeous flower I have never seen. Okra is rare here, so thank you.
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks. Yep it's so pretty. Later this Summer when they are really blooming like crazy, I'll take some more pictures.
DeleteThe flower is the best part of okra. (just sayin')
ReplyDeleteLOL, I see what you did there. ;-)
DeleteReally pretty pictures of your okra flowers! It's such a treat to go into the summer garden when just about everything else has played out and see these cheerful flowers.
ReplyDeleteI picked my first okra yesterday - so I'm looking forward to making some okra gumbo very soon!
These THRIVE in the heat don't they? Mmm, okra gumbo. Might have to do that this year. Maybe I'll convince 2nd Man okra is still good by doing that, ha.
DeleteHey guys ,your flowers are pretty.Hope ya planted a bunch cause that's the only way to go.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We have two plants, it's what we did last Summer and we were giving okra away we had a lot, ha. They are pretty for sure. Thanks!!!
Delete