Clemson Spineless Okra

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, gogiant22. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.

This is my second year growing in an Earthbox (Santa Clara, CA) and I was so pleased last year that I purchased a second earthbox this year and decided to plant Okra.  The first week they looked great but now that the second week has passed they are all shriveling up and dying.  Does anyone have any experience with Okra and any ideas what might be the problem?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, czfl_jo. This user is located in Zone 9 on the East Coast in Central Florida. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

Sounds like it could be a wicking problem. I've had this happen. Now when I prep my boxes, giving extra attention to really packing the wicking wells, before I put the cap on I use my fist and press down really hard on the wicking corners and top off with more mix.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, tag. This user is located in Fleming Island, FL, Zone 8. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

My quess is also a wicking problem. You can try to repack the wicking chambers.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on April 22,
2013.

Just a comment on creating the wicking towers....

I always put some mix in, press down, more mix, press, more mix, press, etc.  In other words, my towers are compressed pretty much all the way to the top.

If you pressed only once, then filled rest of the box, you may not have an adequate wicking tower.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

Also, if you put in dry mix, it will take ages for it to begin wicking properly... in the meantime, any plants will suffer for want of water. When you repack the wicking corners, add water to those corners as you go along.

Try top watering each plant at its base after you correct the wicking towers as described. If they perk up, that confirms our diagnosis. As you do all this, avoid getting the fertilizer strip wet.

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Sr. Member, BPFSU. This user is located in Zone 8b North Florida. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

Or the Okra has figured out you're in California instead of the "South" an it's protesting.  We love us some okra down here.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, gogiant22. This was originally posted on April 23, 2013.

Thanks for all the input but it shouldn't be a wicking problem since I went through that last year when following the instructions that came with the Earthbox.  This year I watched the video and filled the reservoir before putting in the planting soil while really pushing it into the corners and also wetting down the soil as I went.  We did have some very hot temperatures for this time of the year recently and that probably didn't help.  Today I found my cucumber which had been doing great for three weeks all wilted and not looking well at all, I hope it springs back with the temperatures cooling down a bit now.  It's getting a bit late here to plant new crops so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that at least some of them will start looking better soon.  On a good note, my peppers (Jalapeno and Serrano) are already blossoming and looking great!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on April 24, 2013.

You can easily determine if it is wicking...just top water right at the base of the plant when you first see it wilted.  If it perks back up, it is not getting (wicked) water.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business.The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on April 24, 2013.

You can easily determine if it is wicking...just top water right at the base of the plant when you first see it wilted.  If it perks back up, it is not getting (wicked) water.

Wicked water, is that anything like fire water?