Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Malay names: Bendi
Very heat-tolerant; productive in hydro with sun and support.
🌞 Light & Temperature
Light: Full sun (6–8 h+)
Temperature: 24–36°C
🪴 Container & Medium
Container: Dutch buckets with perlite or 25–35 L DWC; stake plants; good airflow.
Medium / Solution: Medium: perlite/clay pebbles; Solution: pH 6.0–6.5, EC 1.8–2.5 mS/cm
💧 Watering / Solution Maintenance
Schedule: Drip 4–8x/day (short pulses) or maintain DWC; change every 10–14 days
Top-up: Consistent moisture; high water use during fruiting
pH 6.0–6.5; EC 1.8–2.5 mS/cm
🧪 Nutrients
Type: Balanced to fruiting nutrient with adequate K
Frequency: Check EC 2–3x/week; change 10–14 days
Dosage/EC: EC 1.8–2.5 mS/cm; pH 6.0–6.5
🍓 Harvest
Start: 8–10 weeks from sowing
Seasonality: Year-round in heat
Duration: Fruiting window 8–12+ weeks
Harvest Indicators: Pods 8–12 cm and tender; harvest daily
Tips: Frequent harvest prevents woody pods; wear gloves for spines.
🌱 Propagation
Seeds direct or transplant young seedlings.
🐛 Pests & Diseases
- Aphids/mites: Neem 1%; maintain airflow; remove infested leaves.
🌦️ Seasonal Notes (Malaysia)
Thrives in heat; shelter during torrential rain to protect flowers.
📝 System Notes
Single plant per bucket; strong stakes.
💡 Extra Care Tips
- Harvest daily for tenderness
- Supplement K during heavy fruiting
Note
EC and pH are guidelines—adjust to plant response and your water source. In monsoon humidity, increase airflow and reduce overcrowding to limit disease.