I grow Malabar spinach yearly, love it. I'm trying the Chinese Okra (luffa picked when very immature) this year, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get a single fruit to try, despite starting it indoors in April. The vines are about 15 feet long, and have had many male flowers, but just now have tiny, unbloomed fruits on them. I think overall it was just too cool this year for them, Michigan had a much cooler than normal May and June, and really had a below-normal summer temperature wise. Oh well, perhaps another year. If I really wanted to try it, it is sold in Asian markets around here.

Dennis
SE Michigan

Hey Dennis, I'd be interested to know how you prepare your Malabar spinach. I have really never cooked spinach that much and actually don't have spinach salad that often. DH is an iceburg lettuce salad person. It seems a shame not to use it though. If your Chinese okra does start producing it would be good to hear your take on it.
Thanks,
Jude

Many years back my stepfather gave me some climbing orka to try an then some seeds. He was raised in Ok. on a Indian reservation and that's where he got his start have been looking for many years for the seeds, loved the orka. Any possible way you know where and how I might get the seeds. I live just north of Houston, TX
>Would really appreciate your HELP.

"Climbing okra" isn't really okra at all but has been called that due to the similar appearance. It is actually a curcurbit family member, genus luffa (gourd) family, aka smooth luffa. Just order luffa seeds and harvest the pods at okra size.

It is indeed edible - luffa are edible at all stages but best when young - when harvested very young and used just like okra would be.

Dave

Malabar spinach is not really spinach. It's a tropical green that loves hot weather.

Do not eat Malabar spinach if you take digitalis. They interact.