Growing Okra, also Ladyfinger, gumbo

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24 May 10 Anita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I keep my okra plants in the vege patch for more than one season? Can they be pruned back and take a rest until next spring when they could releaf? Being related to hibiscus I thought this may be feasible. Many thanks for feedback.
27 May 10 Jean (Australia - tropical climate)
If it's warm enough okra can be grown as a perennial and will grow year after year. You just need to pick all the pods so it doesn't give up producing. You can cut them back to about 30cm and give them a good feed every so often. They'll grow into a sort of shrub.
28 May 10 anita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thank you for this information, Jean. It certainly helps. Do you know if the same can be done with Rosellas - also being related to hibiscus as you will know. cheers
13 Jun 10 Andrea (Australia - tropical climate)
As no one else has replied, I will give it a shot. I haven't actually grown rosellas but my mother did when i was a child. It was grown as a bush like any other fruit tree as i recall , ie it was just left there to produce. It may have been pruned a little but i don't recall it looking like a pruned hedge ever.
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