Dean

Found this for you: The flower on the okra plant blooms for only one day. Okra is generally self-pollinated, but it will be cross-pollinated by insects, such as bumblebees, when several varieties are grown in close proximity and blossom at the same time.

Seed can be saved from open-pollinated varieties. Okra is self-pollinated, and flowers can be isolated by placing a paper bag over them for 24 hours while they are open. In early fall, allow several pods to mature and dry. The seed can be dried and stored for up to five years.

Here is a link that might be useful: Okra -- University of Arkansas

anney thank you for the information!

How do I know when the flowers are about the open, so I can bag them?

They only need to be bagged for only one day?

thanks,
Dean

Dean

I'd just look at the plants each morning. The flowers are large (mine were yellow with purple throats) so you can't miss them. If you look carefully at them the day before they open, you'll see them begin to unfurl. You can bag them when you see the flower color. This link shows a different variety with a pink blossom about to open.

I've never bagged blossoms myself since I grow only one variety at the time, but 24 hours is about all it takes for the blossoms to self-pollinate. The okra pod forms right away. IIRC, after pollination, the flower may or may not fall off right away, sort of like tomato blossoms can cling to the small fruit.

Copy and paste it:

http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/Okra-Blossom.jpg

Easy process. Catch a flower that is about to open ...
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Bag it ...
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The flower will open and even set a pod while bagged ...
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Mark it and let it dry to seed.
{{gwi:11935}}

Done deal.

I'll add that it is best to bag in the evenings as the process does go pretty quickly. Look for swelling in the evenings as they will open the next morning.
Open flowers is where the risk lies for crossing so you want to protect them prior to opening.
It does not hurt to leave the bags on for several days ( from my experience). Hope it helps.