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Post by macmex on Jun 25, 2020 6:59:14 GMT -6
Well, I got my okra planted on June 1 and it was coming up on the 6th. Put in a decent amount for our household with slightly more Stewarts Zeebest than AfricanX. It'll be interesting to see the difference on when they come into production. I didn't get it down in my 2019 notes, but my memory tells me that AfricanX came into production earlier than expected. Maybe it will get to the point that it can be a main crop okra, here in Oklahoma. We'll see.
I need to thin my plants, yet they are looking very good. Here's AfricanX. This variety, though it has thinner pod walls, produces nice size pods and has excellent flavor. It has the added advantages of being completely "itch free," the leaves, pods and stems are smooth and without hairs; and also it produces for several weeks beyond the point that standard varieties will. I think it actually tolerates cooler temperatures better.
Here's a picture of Stewarts Zeebest at the same age. They are different in appearance.
Whereas AfricanX has pods of the more common shape (similar to Heavy Hitter or Clemson Spineless), Stewarts Zeebest has long slender pods. Most folk around here prefer the standard shape. I mainly grow Stewarts Zeebest for preservation purposes, though, I'm not picky about shape. It's all good!
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jun 25, 2020 8:18:12 GMT -6
Thanks for posting that George. And thanks, for preserving those two lines of seed, they are both rare.
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Post by glen on Jul 16, 2020 13:37:21 GMT -6
Wow!! Very impressive. Can't wait to see more photo's later!!! George, I don't know why, but the AfricanX okra seems to like low sunlight intensity, over-cast climate like I have here in Panama. It does not grow well in the dry season when sun-light levels are bright, hot and intense.
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Post by glen on Aug 8, 2020 1:15:46 GMT -6
George, I can't wait to see some photo's of AfricanX side by side with the Stewarts ZBest okra plants. You know, when the plants are much bigger.
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Post by macmex on Aug 25, 2020 7:57:39 GMT -6
I still need to take some comparative photos of the two varieties. Stewarts Zeebest started producing about a week ahead of AfricanX, which, in my opinion, is very little difference. They're in the same row but Stewarts is on the far end, farthest away from the water, and I believe I have slighted it on water this summer. Will try to make up for that. (Note to self and others: When using long drip tape sections for watering always water for a minimum of 5 hours at a whack.)
I definitely need to pick things up on the selection of Stewarts' Zeebest. At least a third of my plants are inferior this year, showing minimal branching. I do have some that are branching well, so seed will come from those plants.
AfricanX, on the other hand, is looking superior almost all the way around. It's hard to capture with a photo, but all but one plant are extremely bushy. They look super robust and they are producing well, as is Stewarts. Here are photos of two of the plants. I counted 8 branches on the first. This isn't even the most robust, widest of the plants, but it has the most branches that I could find.
I know this next one didn't have 8 branches but this is probably the one that is the largest and bushiest.
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Post by glen on Aug 25, 2020 13:20:26 GMT -6
AfricanX okra has had the luxory of getting quite a bit of attention over the last couple of years. Eight branches? Thats great. That plant sounds like the one for seed saving. AfricanX is a real giant okra. But, Stewarts ZBEST is a big plant also if selected for branchiness. It will take you a few years to select it out again to get it to branch nice. Probably take you 10 years to select it out to the way George Stewart had it. You can't let up since okra naturally wants to revert back to a single stalk plant. I think you can grow these plants together since they bloom at different times. I would like you to let us know what time the stewart's Zbest blooms. Is it early in the morning like 630 or 7 am? We know that AfricanX blooms late in the morning. If this is the case the chance of a cross is minimal. Great work George!!!
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Aug 26, 2020 12:28:20 GMT -6
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Post by macmex on Sept 29, 2020 6:48:42 GMT -6
Okra in general has done much worse for me this year (2020). Stewarts Zeebest has simply died. I suspect that there was an obstruction in the irrigation but also some pathogen has started hitting some of the plants. AfricanX has done better. Part of this may be that it's closer to the water source, so an obstruction would affect it less. As temps cool, however, AfricanX has the advantage. It thrives when regular okra starts shutting down.
All of my AfricanX plants, except one, have wonderful branching structure. My favorite has 7 main stalks and is the tallest as well. One plant has 8 main stalks and those stalks started branching as well, but it's smaller and less vigorous. Here's a photo from yesterday evening.
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Post by glen on Sept 29, 2020 15:53:11 GMT -6
I have always said that AfricanX is a great companion okra to your other favorite. You plant Zbest and get an early yeild. Thats why they call it an early season okra. Once Zbest gets tired the AfricanX okra kicks in. They call that late season okra. There really is two categories. Late season okra will produce for much longer. In fact, pure African okra can live for several years and produce for many many months. AfricanX okra lives longer than Zbest but not as long as pure strain African okra. But, you don't need an okra that lives several years in Oklahoma. AfricanX okra will do well and produce for you in the cooler weather and until the killing frosts take it out. Plus, it is unlikely that these 2 okra variety's will cross. AfricanX okra puts on blooms late in the morning, Zbest puts on blooms early in the morning.
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Post by macmex on Oct 13, 2020 5:11:09 GMT -6
October 12 and we picked and had AfricanX okra for supper. The plant in the background is the best of this season. It's about 5' tall (everything is shorter this year) but has a good many branches and great vigor.
Location: Just North of Tahlequah, Oklahoma
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Oct 14, 2020 18:39:56 GMT -6
Looking good, George! Thanks, for the photos. Anything a guy can get beyond this date is solid gold!
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Post by slowpokegardener on Oct 25, 2020 16:42:52 GMT -6
I am trying to learn how to get involved with Green Country seed savers. I am not sure this post will go anywhere, but the AfricanX sounds great, especially the no itch part.
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Post by rdback on Oct 28, 2020 9:17:03 GMT -6
I am trying to learn how to get involved with Green Country seed savers. I am not sure this post will go anywhere, but the AfricanX sounds great, especially the no itch part.
Hello slowpokegardener and welcome!
Pop over to the Introduction sub-forum and introduce yourself. That way folks will know you're here and can say hello!
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Nov 9, 2020 18:32:05 GMT -6
Hello, Slowpokegardener. Welcome to the forum! If you like no-itch okra, you'll like AfricanX. You can pick that stuff in a tee shirt with no itching afterward.
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Post by theozarkan on Jan 7, 2021 23:24:31 GMT -6
I got some zeebest seed ordered. Looking forward to trying several new to me okra varieties this year. Well if the mail ever starts working right.
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