Perkins Long Pod, Okra Seed

Perkins Long Pod Okra Seed

Long bright-green pods grow on five-foot plants
Southern heirloom matures early and productively
Eight-inch potential creates impressive garden displays
Harvest at three-to-five inches for tenderness

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Abelmoschus esculentus

Days to maturity

55 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

50 Seeds

About Perkins Long Pod, Okra Seed, Okra Seed

Perkins Long Pod Okra is an old Southern heirloom that grows long and tall! This variety will grow to be to 5' and produces bright green pods that are up to 8" long. Perkins Long Pod is an early maturing okra that should be harvested at 3-5" in length for most crisp, tender pods. This okra is excellent for canning, pickling and cutting up for gumbo or stews.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/2"

Days to Germination

4–10 days

Germination Type

B - Warm-Water Soak

In-row plant spacing

12-18"

Row Spacing

36"

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

84 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

488

Color

Green

Seed Type

Heirloom

Growing Season

Warm-Season Crop

Before Planting

Choose a full-sun, warm site with fertile, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Incorporate compost and adjust nutrients and pH according to a soil test, avoiding excessive nitrogen. Wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed; harden transplants and install supports before planting when the crop requires them.

Planting

Start okra indoors 6–10 weeks before the last spring frost, except where the long warm season permits direct sowing. Maintain warm media until germination, then provide strong light so seedlings remain compact. Harden transplants gradually and plant outdoors only after frost danger has passed and soil is warm. Thin direct-sown seedlings after true leaves appear.

Watering

Keep okra evenly watered through flowering and fruit enlargement. Allow slight surface drying between deep irrigations, but prevent severe wilting, waterlogged soil, and abrupt moisture fluctuations.

Fertilizer

Feed okra during active growth with a balanced vegetable fertilizer. Keep nitrogen moderate after flowering begins to prevent excessive vines or leaves at the expense of fruit.

Harvesting

Cut okra pods while they are tender and reach the variety’s recommended length, usually before they become fibrous. Harvest every one or two days using gloves and pruners, because stems and leaves may irritate skin.

Tips

Give okra good airflow and room to develop its natural habit. Use clean tools for pruning, avoid unnecessary disturbance, and protect tender growth from seasonal extremes.

AVG. Seeding Rate

1 oz./78', 13 oz./1,000', 12 lb./acre at 6 seeds/ft. in rows 36" apart.

Pests & Diseases

Fusarium and Verticillium wilts, powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, and root-knot nematodes affect okra. Rotate away from susceptible vegetables, select resistant varieties when available, and remove permanently wilted plants. Inspect stunted roots for galls; avoid moving infested soil and keep foliage dry during harvest.

Monitor okra from seedling establishment onward. Encourage beneficial insects, remove heavily infested material, and reserve pesticide treatment for correctly identified pests causing meaningful damage.