How to Grow a Star of David Plant

Okra pod and flower on the growing plant.

The star of David is an heirloom variety of the okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus) from Israel. Okras are grown for their edible seedpods, which are known as ladyfingers or gumbo. Star of David can be recognized thanks to its fat pods and purple leaf and stem tips. Okras are best grown as an annual in the United States as they are very sensitive to cold temperatures.

Things You'll Need

• High phosphate granular fertilizer
• Organic mulch

Instructions

1. 

   Freshly picked okra pods

   Plant your star of David okra plant in a sunny site with well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Apply 2 lbs. of balanced fertilizer per 100 square feet to the soil before planting.

2. Soak star of David seeds in water for several hours or overnight before sowing. Do not sow until the soil temperature has risen above 65 degrees Fahrenheit and preferably once it has risen to 70 to 95 degrees. Bury each seed an inch deep in moist soil, leaving 4 to 6 inches between seeds and 3 feet between rows.

   U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5

3. Thin out star of David okra seedlings once they are at least 5 inches tall, leaving between 1.5 and 2 feet between plants. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch to control weeds.

4. Apply 3 ounces of high phosphate fertilizer per 100 feet of row once your plants are at least 6 inches tall. Fertilize again two or three weeks later and apply fertilizer after heavy rain to compensate for leaching.

5. Water star of David okra in the mornings to allow the plants to dry out before nightfall. Aim to moisten the soil to a depth of 6 inches rather than water lightly and encourage shallow root development. Do not allow the soil to dry out when the plant is producing flowers, as this will reduce the yield of pods.

6. Collect star of David pods every couple of days, picking them once they reach a length of 2 inches. Leaving pods on the plant for longer reduces overall yield.

Tips & Warnings

• Okra grows best in soil with a pH of 6.2 to 6.5. Plant your star of David okra in a different place every year to control root knot nematodes.

• Star of David okra plants have sharp spines, and gloves should be worn when handling them or picking the pods. Over-fertilizing okra plants tends to encourage vegetative growth over pod production.

References

• Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Okra
• University of Maryland Cooperative Extension: Growing Okra
• Fort Valley State University: Growing Okra
• University of Georgia Cooperative Extension: Growing Okra in the Home Garden
• Gardening With Wilson: The "Star of David" Okra

Resources

• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Map Zone