Organic 'Aunt Hettie's Red x Puerto Rico Everblush' Okra
Okra 'Aunt Hettie's Red × Puerto Rico Everblush' organic (Abelmoschus esculentus) from the seed company Gaia, a deep red, early and highly ornamental hybrid
Aunt Hettie's Red × Puerto Rico Everblush okra is a selected hybrid combining two remarkable heirloom varieties: the intense dark red of 'Aunt Hettie's Red' and the earliness and high productivity of 'Puerto Rico Everblush' . The result: vigorous plants, uniformly dark red , right down to the pods themselves, offering a striking ornamental presence and excellent flavor . Highly productive, it fruits continuously if the pods are harvested regularly. This okra is both a culinary plant and a decorative element in the vegetable garden.
Companion plants : Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Pepper, Tomato, Bean, Sunflower, Basil, Melon, Eggplant, Cucumber
Nefarious plants : Rhubarb, Garlic
Spread/Habit : Upright, vigorous habit, dark red color
Plant height : 120 to 150 cm (4–5′)
Quantity per packet : 20 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Deep red hybrid, entirely purple pods, very productive, early maturing, edible flowers
Leaf color : Dark red to reddish-green depending on maturity
Texture/flavor : Tender, sweet pods, excellent culinary quality
Cold tolerance : Low (tropical plant)
Farming method
Soak the seeds for a maximum of 12 hours in lukewarm water to improve germination. Start sowing 6 weeks before transplanting , handling the seedlings gently as their roots are sensitive .
Sow or transplant into open ground when all risk of frost has passed, at a depth of 1.25 cm .
Place in full sun (level 3) and maintain regular watering (level 2) despite okra's good drought tolerance.
Space the plants 45 to 60 cm apart, with 90 cm between rows. Germination takes 2 to 12 days at temperatures between 18 and 32 °C (optimum 21 °C).
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest the pods every 2 to 3 days when they are young and tender , in order to maintain continuous production.
Store okra for 7 to 10 days in a perforated bag or ventilated container at 7–10 °C .
Usage ideas
• In sautéed or fried okra , where their color stands out beautifully
• In Creole, Cajun or Caribbean dishes
• Marinate to preserve texture and color
• In curries or fragrant soups
• As an edible ornamental plant , thanks to its dark red pods and stems
'Aunt Hettie's Red × Puerto Rico Everblush' okra is a spectacular, tasty and generous variety, perfect for gardeners wanting an okra that is both productive and beautifully coloured .
