HOW TO GROW OKRA/ LADY FINGER (BHINDI) IN CONTAINERS

Growing Okra is fun.  Commonly known as Bhindi in India and earlier known as Lady Finger is one of the best summer crop which we can easily grown in our balconies or terrace in containers or pots.

SEASON/ TEMPERATURE 

Okra grows best in warm season as it is a warm season crop.  Okra plant requires direct exposure of Sun for at least 6 - 8 hours.

PROPAGATION

Seeds can be sow directly in the large container as Okra seedlings have breakable taproots and plant can be damaged while transplanting. Water them thoroughly after sowing.  Germination will take place within 5 - 7 days (depending upon climatic conditions). Okra plant grows up to 7 feet tall hence using a large pot is essential for its growth.

CONTAINER/ POT SIZE

Minimum container size recommended is 14” (W) x 12” (H) with big drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to leave.

SOIL

Okra requires fertile soil with rich organic material. Soil should be loosely placed into the containers, but it should not be compressed.

FERTILIZER

Okra requires lots of nutrients to produce fruits.  Continue adding compost at 1-2 weeks interval throughout its fruiting period

CARE

Aphids and Mealy Bugs are most common problems with Okra plant during the growing season.  Check carefully under the leaves for signs of infection.  Aphids normally spread by ants.  This can be controlled by sprinkling turmeric or boric acid power.  Mealy Bugs can be controlled by spraying a mixture of spirit and water in 1:1 ratio.

HARVESTING

It will take 45 – 95 days after transplanting seedlings in container.

Don’t try to remove Okra by twisting/ pulling as this can break/ damage your entire plant instead use a sharp knife/ cutter to cut the fruits from the plant.

Look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Happy container gardening.

HOW TO GROW TOMATO IN CONTAINERS

Tomato is one of the most popular, favourite and the easiest fruit crop to grow in containers.  An ideal candidate for container gardening.

NUTRIENT VALUE

An excellent source of Vitamin C, A, Potassium and Iron.

SEASON/ TEMPERATURE

Tomato is a cold season crop and thrives in 4 – 6 hours of direct exposure of Sun. 

PROPAGATION

Seeds should be sow in seedling trays or small plastic containers, ¼”deep.  Keep the tray/ container in a room at 70-80^OF until germination and keep the soil moist.  Seeds will germinate in approximately 2 weeks.  Once the germination process start, move them to under partial Sun light/ shade. Wait for another 2 – 3 weeks before transplanting in to pots/ containers. Tomato plants normally grows to a height of 3 - 4 feet and start producing fruits in 2 - 3 months (depends upon the variety).  A small stick or tomato plant cage which gives support to the plant is very beneficial for its growth.

CONTAINER/ POT SIZE

Minimum container size is 12” (W) x 10” (H).  Normally tomatoes grow very large root system.  When we give them room to develop, they can flourish and produce.  The larger the pot, the better and healthier crop with bigger yields. Keep a minimum distance of 35 cm – 45 cm between 2 plants in case your pot is big enough and you are planning to sow two plants.  Container can be of any material but the best ones are Clay as they hold heat better than any other pot.  Keep big drainage holes for balancing moisture level of soil.  Big drainage holes also allows excess water to leave, minimizing risk of root rot.

SOIL

Soil should be loose, well-drained with lots of organic matter.  Equal parts of planting mix and potting soil will do. It provides an aerated, medium density environment for roots to expand and access nutrients. Adding Pearlite or Vermiculite and Organic Materials (Manure and/or peat moss) to the soil will help plant’s health and growth enormously.  A handful of crushed oyster shell mixed deeply in the soil works better and makes an ideal tomato growing environment. Dig a hole deep enough to cover all but the top three to four inches of the seedling.

IT REQUIRES SUPPORT
Most of Tomato plant varieties can become top-heavy and will definitely need support, specially the high yielding varieties.  Use Tomato cage or a bamboo stick to support them.  Place stick as soon as the plant is young and have been transplanted.  Do not wait for the plant to be grown bigger as this could cause a major damage to the root system. In case of bamboo stick, push it all the way in to the pot’s bottom so that it can support the plant’s weight later on.

COMPANION PLANTS

Basil, Beans & Peppers are companions and can be grown along with Tomato plants. 

FERTILIZER

Tomato plants are heavy feeders as they grow quickly and produce large fruits Low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus organic fertilizers are best for Tomato plants.  Do not provide too much nitrogen as it increases leafy growth and not flower and fruit production.  Liquid seaweed can increase fruit production and plants health if given weekly/ bi-weekly. 

WATERING

A common mistake that we normally make is over-watering the plant.  Water regularly while it is developing but also keep an eye on the moisture levels and do not over-water neither let them dry out fully. 

PRUNING AND PINCHING

Remove suckers that develops in the joints of two branches.  Use cutters and cut neatly against the main part of the stem or else they will take away energy from the plant.  You can also thin leaves but ultimately, the leaves are the ones which make food that go into making tomatoes.

CARE

Many insects pests can snack tomato plant, such as tomato cutworm, tomato horn-worm, flea beetles, aphids, leaf miners, stalk borers, aphids, white-flies and slugs. Blight is very common disease of tomato plants. This is a fungal disease, which spread through soil and can infect other plants as well that comes in contact.  Take care and catch pests before they do any damage to plants. Use organic pest control to control/ fight with these pests. Never sprinkle or pour water on the tomato plant’s leaves.

HARVESTING

Harvest the fruit at its peak. Fruit will appear approximately about 60 - 90 days after transplanting. Check the plants daily once they begin to ripen to ensure peak flavour. Gently twist the fruits and avoid pulling at the vine.

Your feedback and suggestions are welcome, as always.

Happy container gardening.

HOW TO GROW BRINJAL IN CONTAINERS

Brinjal, commonly known as Egg Plant or Baingan in India.  This low maintenance vegetable can be grown easily and effortlessly in containers/ pots.

NUTRIENT VALUE

Brinjal is an excellent source of Iodine and Potassium.  It is rich in fibre and low in calories, fat and sodium

SEASON/ TEMPERATURE

Brinjal is a warm season crop and requires good amount of heat/ direct exposure of Sun. Best season for growing a brinjal plant is Summer.  It requires warm temperature to grow properly and needs 6 – 8 hours of direct sunlight.

PROPAGATION

Seeds should be sow in seedling trays or small plastic containers.  Water them thoroughly after sowing.  It will take about 10 -15 days to germinate the seed.  You should wait for another 4 – 5 weeks before transplanting in to pots/ containers. Height of the plant varies from 2 – 6 feet tall depending upon the variety. If you want to grow 2 or more plants in one pot, be sure to keep at least 18” spacing between the plants.

CONTAINER/ POT SIZE

Minimum container size is 12” (W) x 10” (H), the bigger the better.  You can choose any container Clay, Cement, Ceramic or Plastic.  However the best are Clay pots as they retain heat better than any other pots.  The pot should also have big drainage holes to help balance out the moisture level of the soil. Drainage holes will allow excess water to leave the pot, minimizing the risk of root rot.

SOIL

Brinjal grows best in well drained fertile soil (clay loam, silt loam or loamy soil) with rich organic material. Soil should be loosely placed into the containers, but it should not be compressed.

COMPANION PLANTS

Bush Beans & Peas are companion plants and can be grown along with Brinjal.  DO NOT grow Brinjal with Tomatoes or Corn.

FERTILIZER

Best is to use compost tea every three weeks until the fruit has set.  However if a lack of nutrition is your plants problem then you can add liquid fertilizer once every two weeks.  Better option is to use water soluble fertilizer.  Do not add it to dry soil.  Water your eggplant before adding it to the soil.  To determine an appropriate amount, refer to the instructions on the label of your fertilizer.  If the leaves of your Eggplant looks pale that means it requires more fertilizer.  A boost of 5-10-15 fertilizer will do.

CARE

Eggplant is sensitive to cold.  Protect eggplants from unexpected frost, specially in winters.  Cutworms are most common pests that attack eggplants, but they can usually be driven away by placing a cutworm collar over the plant. You may also use an organic pesticide to drive away pests.

HARVESTING

It will take 45 – 95 days after transplanting seedlings in container. It also depends upon the variety you have chosen.  Generally large-fruited eggplants are ready to harvest in 75-95 days from transplanting while small-fruited varieties are ready within 45 – 50 days.  Fruits should feel firm and a glossy coloured skin.  Harvest regularly or as and when required.  Don’t try to remove fruits by twisting/ pulling as this can break/ damage your entire plant instead use a sharp knife to cut the fruits from the plant.

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Happy container gardening.