Widely known as Sultani among growers, Yalova Akköy okra is one of the most popular Turkish okra varieties. Vigorous plants produce long, light green pods in 45-50 days. Pods hardly get fibrous, and are not as slimy as most other varieties, when pickled. However, we recommend to soak sliced pods in lemon-water before cooking okra, to take the slime away.
Co-owner of Two Seeds in a Pod, Mehmet Öztan, typically harvests the pods the way his mom would buy the pods from the grocery store. Mehmet says: “I pick the long, slender pods for the best flavor and tenderness.”
This okra was unanimously picked by all 15 judges as the winner of a taste test among 60 okra varieties, conducted in 2018 by Chris Smith for his comprehensive book about okra, The Whole Okra: A Stem to Stem Celebration.
Our current seed stock was grown by Browntown Farms of Freeman, VA.
Commercially introduced by us in the U.S.
Phonetically pronounced: yell-oh-wa -ak-coy
- Abelmoschus esculentus
- 8-12 hrs
- Planting depth: 1/2-1″
- Sprouts in 10-14 days
- Ideal growing temperature: 75-90F
- Plant spacing: 18″
- Frost hardy: No
- Growth habit: Upright growth with branches that grow away from the stem
- Growing tips: Soak okra seeds overnight in water. Plant seeds next day indoors in seedling trays or small seedling pots with seed starting soil that has essential nutrients in it, 3-4 weeks prior to last frost. Keep the soil moist for quick germination. Make sure to keep the young okra seedlings under good light to have strong plants with sturdy, healthy stems and leaves. Transplant after last frost in well-drained, fertile soil enrichened with compost and other amendments. Feed your okra plants with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks. Water regularly especially in flower stage. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease. Some okra varieties are taller than others and may need to be tied to a stake so that fruits don’t touch soil and rot. Alternatively, you can also direct-seed after last frost in spring.
Peter M. (verified owner) –
Performed very similar to the red one i also ordered. Durable variety, moderately productive, tasty & tender even when long.
K H. (verified owner) –
Not overly productive for me, but this was a challenging year in SW CT – overly hot, humid and rainy – many crops suffered for a lack of sun and nutrient loss from too much water. Taste wise, I liked these alot – pods are skinnier than Bradford Family variety that I usually grow. Good tasting and definetly less slimey! Will grow these again!
Janey –
So tall we have trouble picking. Also lost numerous trunks breaking off from storm winds, which we’ve never experienced before.