We used to do it when we lived in the tropics. We'd let the plants get about 6 foot high, and then start whacking them back - lop of a tall branch, leave the lower ones, and do that over a week or so, try to get the whole thing back down to 2 - 3 foot high. They need a good feeding now and again as you do this.

It's kind of fun, actually, they turn into shrubs with a woody stem the size of your arm. We had them going for years.

Oh, that's so depressing! I was sincerely hoping that our okra would die, SOON. Perennial okra--the mind boggles.
David, I'd be sincerely afraid to feed our okra.
I was told yesterday that okra self-seeds. If it does, we may have to resort to slash-and-burn. Perennial, self-seeding okra--and folks think that kudzu is bad!

Okra has to have it's pods dry up and split open to seed. It's seed is so large it rarely spreads far. Most people never let their okra get to that state.

Our temps here in Georgia were 47 last night according to the Weather Channel. I think the okra are giving up the ghost -- they're sagging and curling up, and it isn't due to lack of rain or fertilizer. They're also huge -- at least 16 feet tall now out on my deck.

So if you can extend your okra production time, I say do it!

I'd love to have okra all year round, that would be worth experimenting with. Maybe I'll start some in containers next year. I do see their roots, spreading way out, by the time I pull them. so I'd guess they would need a big container?

Thanks david52, I will give it a try.

Ringa, I am using large containers - the ones they sell paint/plaster etc on.

Ringa -
Get the smaller varieties and grow them in containers. One Thai variety from Baker Creek is supposed to only get to about 2 feet. They will take a big container.

I may try cutting a couple of them back and see if they can be pampered through the winter for an early start. They are next to the peppers I want to save.

You have to REALLY love okra to want to get extra production out of okra living in Phoenix...hehe.

Mid-late May through early-mid November growing season there I'd imagine...good 6 months or so.

...harvest season, not growing season...oops.

nc-crn -
My housemate is of Suthren heritage, and he works with a large number of Indians who have an insatiable appetite for okra, so there is no problem using it all. If I could produce okra year-round, they would be very happy.

Fresh okra in the markets, if you can find it, sells for $6 a pound or more for days-old pods.

not only that many love okra enough to eat it daily, (many many do, myself included) but also that growing perennials is just smart gardening, plain and simple. I'm endeavouring to get over half my garden to be perennial. i've a lot of garden, and not as much time to tend annuals as i'd like. even if i had the time - why not let the garden, and the earth's natural system tend it for and produce great yummy things, without so much toil?

But growing okra perennial is only optional if you get no frost or freezes and you do not have nematode problems, which most people will if they are grown in the ground. If you are growing in pots, you could grow for 2 years but then the okra will outgrow the pot. Same thing with tomatoes. It is easier for most people to just start over each year and rotate the plants.

Also, annuals are part of the earth's natural system also.