[kellycontina]

Any of you lovely allotment oracle's ever had success growing this,  my mum's husband wants us to try growing on lotty and I have noclue on the stuff ?!!!!???

[tosca100]

Well, I can tell you it is dead easy to grow given the right conditions but unless you have a summer like last year you might need a greenhouse. We used seed from the neighbours last year (felt we had to grow it even though we are not keen) and it germinated easily, planted it out in May and left it. Being a hibiscus the flowers are lovely. Had far too many plants, but they are OK battered and deep fried or pickled. But we are in Bulgaria, though last summer was not the best

[LotuSeed]

I've never grown it myself.  Here it's considered more of a southern crop since it likes a long hot growing season. Growing up on the North my Uncle grew it successfully (but I think we have a longer and hotter growing season than where you are). Might be worth a try in a greenhouse of pt. I'd check to see what variety it is. You may have better luck with one that is an early producer.

[AnneB]

I tried it in a polytunnel last year.   It grew to about 6" (I believe they should be a couple of feet tall?), and produced 1 okra.   Not the greatest success.  Until I get my bigger polytunnel, and have space to spare, I shall not be bothering again.

[Norfolkgrey]

I am trying it for the first time this year. Although I have heard people say it grows easily I have also heard it is sensitive to temperature changes. It was also a challenge in the marmite programme (the allotment challenge) 

[ghost61]

I've had the same experience as AnneB. One more attempt this year and then I'm going to give up.