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Post by Mike200008 on Aug 12, 2022 18:07:06 GMT -6
Hello.
I realize this thread is a little old but very educational because this year I planted some Alabama red. It’s a heavy hitter so far. Last year I planted 3 different varieties of okra and produced a little over 100 gallons. I’m very interested in what causes branching because this variety seems to be branching. I usually cut and whip. I didn’t plant as much this year but so far I have harvest about a gallon. I left the branch since it okra growing btw.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Aug 13, 2022 11:50:36 GMT -6
Branching is a genetic trait that I selected for. When I started out, I had plants that looked like cane poles, having a single stalk and about 14 pods per plant.
One year, I noticed a plant that had 3 branches. The extra branches caused it to put on 54 pounds of okra in one season, so I saved the seeds.
The next year, I got a plant with 7 branches and saved the seeds.
The following year, I got 12 branches. The rest is history.
I don't save seeds from any plant having fewer than a dozen branches anymore. Twenty-five branches is common for the strain I selected for. They branch now, no matter how close you plant them together. For that reason, it is recommended you use 30" inch spacing.
My record to date is 65 branches.
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