{"id":96064,"date":"2024-10-28T14:45:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T19:45:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/?p=96064"},"modified":"2024-10-28T14:45:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T19:45:20","slug":"world-record-okra-plant-gets-late-game-assist-from-dsus-fighting-okra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2024\/10\/world-record-okra-plant-gets-late-game-assist-from-dsus-fighting-okra\/","title":{"rendered":"World record okra plant gets late-game assist from DSU\u2019s Fighting Okra"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

CLEVELAND, Miss. \u2014 <\/strong>The Delta State University Fighting Okra made a trip to Lee County recently to offer scowls of encouragement to an exceptional cousin. Weylon and Tonja Michael have grown an okra plant that, at the time of the visit, was just short of breaking the world record for the tallest okra plant ever, anywhere in the world. The previous record was 16\u2019 4.75.\u201d Naturally, the Fighting Okra wanted to help in any way possible, so he made the trek to Tupelo to menace the elements into facilitating some late October fecundity.<\/p>\n

Weylon said, \u201cI wasn\u2019t really thinking about this happening. We asked a friend who is an accomplished gardener how tall okra plants generally get, and he said five or six feet. Ours was already twice that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Biologists measured the plant Friday to be an even 17\u2019 and still growing.<\/p><\/div>\n

The weather has cooperated, and the Michael\u2019s gardening prowess and engineering ingenuity has caused the plant to thrive, growing about an inch a day. Strong winds and a cold snap threatened the plant a few weeks ago, but the Michaels secured the plant to the side of their house with straps, covered it in plastic, and ran a line from a nearby dryer vent under the plastic to keep the plant warm. The plant is now as tall at the peak of their roof.<\/p>\n

Botanists from Mississippi State Extension Service have measured the plant at 17 feet and the plant is still growing about an inch per day and is still producing pods. Weylon and Tonja will be submitting the required documentation to have the plant officially recognized as the new world record holder in the coming days.<\/p>\n

The Michaels reached out to Dr. Christy Riddle, Delta State\u2019s Chief Marketing Officer to enlist the Fighting Okra\u2019s help. She said, \u201cI received an email letting me know that Tonja and Weylon had grown a very tall okra plant, and they were trying to beat the world record. My first thought was, \u2018Is this a scam?\u2019 But then, I realized, who would try to scam me about a gigantic okra plant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Weylon and Tonja Michael were presented with a memento of the occasion by the Fighting Okra.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Weylon said, \u201cWe were shocked and thrilled that the Fighting Okra would come all this way over to this side of the state. It was a great experience for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Local Tupelo media and the Mississippi State Extension Office have helped the Michaels document the growth of the exceptional Abelmoschus esculentus<\/em>. Weylon said, \u201cWe never expected to get so much attention, but we are very appreciative of everyone taking part in this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fighting Okra was available for comment, but didn\u2019t make one, since he doesn\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n

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