The okra trellis plant is a flowering plant that is a part of the mallow family. This plant is most commonly known and referred to as ladies’ fingers or ochro and it produces green seed pods which are edible. An astonishing thing about this plant is its height.
As it grows taller, the okra plant becomes heavier and heavier and although this additional weight makes it look magnificent it can actually cause the plant itself some damage. To avoid this, you might be considering growing your okra plant on a trellis.
So, here is everything you need to know about whether you need to and should grow your okra plant on a trellis and how to do it.
Does okra need a trellis
The short answer is yes, okra does require a trellis in order to continue to grow properly. This is because when okra plants begin to reach their fully mature height they become quite large and heavy. This new additional weight makes them begin to lean over and start to need support.
In addition to this, since the okra plant can grow as tall as seven or possibly even eight feet, using a trellis is ideal because it can prevent the plant from slanting to one side and ensure that it remains tidy and healthy.
Why does okra need a trellis
The first reason why your okra plant requires a trellis once it begins to grow taller is that the plant can actually collapse under its own weight. This is because as the tops of okras start to get heavier and heavier as they lengthen the stem becomes weaker due to their largely increased weight. Eventually, the stem will not be able to hold up the pressure of the plant and will collapse in on itself.
Therefore, having a trellis there as additional support that can hold up some if not most of this new weight means that your plant’s stems aren’t weakening.
Moreover, an okra plant’s height could also cause damage to its stem. This is because when it is paired with the weight, an okra’s height puts too much stress on the stem and causes it to fold over or bend to one side.
In addition to this, the okra plant is naturally exposed to things that could possibly cause harm and damage due to its large size. This includes things such as stronger wind. This exposure to wind that is more powerful could possibly cause a part of the plant to snap and break off.
Furthermore, growing your okra on a trellis could aid you in keeping your garden more tidy. This is because letting your okra plant grow freely can allow it to grow all over the place. This, in turn, makes your yard look much more messy and makes it somewhat more difficult to deal with and look after properly. Using a trellis could prevent these inconveniences.
Tips on growing okra on a trellis
The okra requires pretty gentle care, so in order to properly grow this plant on a trellis, there are some requirements which you must fulfil.
The first requirement is letting your plant have full exposure to the sunlight. This is because okra plants are actually summer season vegetables, meaning that they thrive best when they are provided with warmer temperatures.
If you want them to grow as well as they possibly can you should ensure that they have adequate heat and at least 8 hours of full sun exposure each and every day. It is recommended that okra plants grow in temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees fahrenheit.
In addition to this, you should give your okra plant plenty of surrounding space. This is because okra plants require to have at least 18 to 24 inches of space around them for proper and uninterrupted growth.
This space ensures that the plants are receiving more than enough ventilation and can continue to grow and flourish properly without other plants getting in the way. As well as this, spacing them thoroughly could decrease the chances of your okra getting a disease.
Does okra need a trellis – final thoughts:
Overall, it is best for you, your okra plant, and your yard as a whole that you grow your okra on a trellis. Doing this is pretty easy as long as you provide the okra with all the basic things it needs in order to have proper growth. Using a trellis has many benefits that will ensure your plants are as happy and healthy as they can be.