Prune back plants in late summer to push out new growth. This allows the foliage and soil surface to dry quickly during the day, reducing humidity levels that promote fungal diseases. Throw out the infected plants , and if they were already growing in your garden bed, watch your other plants closely. Read customer reviews & find best sellers. Free, easy returns on millions of items. Okra pests and pathogens can keep you from enjoying your favorite gumbo recipes. Here are 22 common okra issues and how to treat them. Choose from a wide range of gardening supplies and accessories at amazon. Keep your garden free of weeds and plant debris and decay. · to control bacterial leaf spot in okra plants , it is important to remove and destroy infected leaves immediately. · the following tips on controlling blight on okra plants might prove useful: If the sclerotia seed-bodies have set, you will need to clean them all up as well as remove the top few inches (5 to 10 cm. ) of soil in the affected area. One strategy is to let the soil dry out completely before you water the plants again. Harvest pods that grew from infected blossoms while they are small, because wet weather can cause the tip of the pod to start rotting. Practice good garden sanitation. After the plants begin blooming, use soaker hoses instead of sprinklers to water thirsty plants. Avoiding overhead irrigation and watering the plants at the base can help prevent the spread of bacteria. Remove and destroy infected okra plant matter immediately (do not compost). Water your okra plants early in the morning, preferably before sunrise. Applying a copper-based fungicide can also be effective in managing the disease.