I suppose it would be possible but I think it would have to be a very large pot. ;) Not only to get enough production to be worth while but because Okra gets very tall - like corn - and top heavy. Without a substantial pot in both weight and base size, tipping over will be a real problem. Personally I'd look for at least 10 gallons - say 20" in diameter - bigger if possible. JMO

Dave

There are a few dwarf okra cultivars that may be ok in a five gallon pot (one plant to a pot) Scroll down the page to the long "growing Okra" thread and you will see some folks growing okra in containers.

Hi

I grow Little Lucy and Baby Bubba in the same size pot that I grow my tomatoes in, two plants in a pot.

I also seen them growing in 2 gallon containers one in a pot.

{{gwi:32316}}

Silvia

Excellent point! I didn't even think about the new dwarf varieties. They should be a much better choice for container growing.

Dave

I've been growing them in 5 gallon containers too. Both nursery containers and 5 gallon buckets, three to a container. The only problem with the regular varieties is that they are water hogs when planted three to a container. The Baby Bubba and Little Lucy require much less water when planted three to a container because they rarely grow higher than 14-16" when packed in like that, and they will give you a LOT of okra in a very small space.

Tom

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies. I just noticed today the other growing thread. I will look through it. I am not sure whether I have a dwarf/short variety seeds. Maybe I'll use a huge 10 gallon pot and check. Thanks, anyways.

Purnima

I grew two last year in a pot to save seeds and they did very well but they were in a large paint containers. I grew on the pot because slugs devoured my okra plants within days even though I don't have much problem with slug. One or two could finish a 6" tall plant within days.

You don't say whether you have any ground space available. I grow okra in my "flower" beds and it makes a lovely tropical looking addition. Just something else to consider.

Purnima,

In Z9, I struggle with okra and noticed last 2 years that the plant that went in around april/may were the same size that went in around June/july. Okra doesn't do very well until the temp goes to at least mid 70s.. it needs like a few days of high 70 or low 80 to germinate and if the heat is right, they grow fast but otherwise, just linger around. Also, one or two slugs/snails will devour a good 5-6 inch plant in a day or two so be sure to plant them where you don't have slug issues. I am in south bay, CA so this may help you with your planning.

Hi greenthumbsj,

I am in south bay, ca too. So, maybe I will wait till May to sow the seeds in the pots. I do have ground area but have gopher problem as well as squirrels. That's the reason I thought I will try containers.

Purnima

Greenthumbsj, thanks for the insight.

diatamaceous earth might be an option as well. Spread it around your planting area and perimeter as well, worth a try

Im going to try and grow okra in some 5gal pails and see how they do, they wont be the self watering containers but as long as I water the pails twice a day I dont forsee having any problems. As soon as I figure again on how to post picture i will post the progress.

Happy Gardening
Mark

Oh and yes I have read you can grow okra in containers provided they are big enough. I believe i have read a minimum of a 2 1/2 gal container for dwarf verieties and larger for full size verieties. Good Luck :)

Purnima -
The Clemson Spineless sold in most garden centers only gets about 4 feet high. It should grow well in a 5-gallon or larger pot.

Other than the dwarf varieties, I would think that if you are growing something like Clemson Spineless in a 5 gallon container or so, you will need to secure the container somehow. Wind would knock it over I would think

Clemson Spineless has been 8 -12 foot each time I have grown it btw