Candle Fire

Family: Malvaceae Vegetable

Candle Fire okra brings a vivid, flame-bright presence to the garden—tender pods with a crisp, juicy bite and a subtly sweet, green-bean flavor at peak harvest.

The pods are slender and upright, holding their clean texture for standout roasting and quick sautéing, while their mild character also shines in rich sauces and hearty stews. Grow this 55-day performer for a long, rewarding harvest window and a striking splash of color from first bloom to the last pod.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 23rd
Harvest Begins	Jul 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Candle Fire okra is bred for tender, crisp pods—so treat it like a spring vegetable first, not just a thickener. Roast or sauté hard and fast with a little acid to keep that snap, then let the pod’s natural thickening work for you in stews.

Best Uses

high-heat roasting for browned edges while keeping the centers crisp
quick sauté with garlic and acid to prevent over-sliming
thickened stews/gumbos where the slime turns velvety
flash pickling or char-and-serve as a warm salad ingredient

Flavor Profile

green-bean sweetness crisp-juicy, tender pod bite mild, clean vegetal flavor slight snap before any silkiness

Kitchen Pairings

smoked paprika garlic cayenne tomatoes onion buttermilk

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) and what should I do?

Okra commonly suffers from powdery mildew and leaf spots, especially when leaves stay damp or airflow is poor. Water at the soil line, space plants so they dry quickly, and remove heavily spotted leaves; if mildew appears, spray an approved sulfur-based fungicide and repeat according to label directions. Watch for aphids as well—blast them off with a strong jet of water and use insecticidal soap if needed.

How often should I water okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) during the main growing phase?

During active pod growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply about 2–3 times per week in warm weather, increasing frequency if the soil dries faster than that. Aim to avoid wet foliage and check moisture by feel; okra slows and pods can be stunted if it dries out too much between waterings.

How can I tell when okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest starting about 50–60 days after sowing, when pods are tender and about 3–4 inches long (often first harvest occurs earlier than full maturity). Pick pods every 1–2 days during peak production before they get tough or fibrous, and harvest when the pod feels pliable and the surface hairs look fresh. If a pod is hard, very large, or easily snaps with stiffness, it’s likely past peak tenderness—remove it to encourage more flowering.