Amasya Flower Okra Product Description and Distinguishing Features: The ecology of the Amasya province has a variable and diverse structure. This diversity in ecology creates numerous alternatives in terms of agricultural products, allowing for the growth of various types and varieties, both in cultivated plants and flora. One of the most important cultivation products in the province, thanks to these ecological features, is Amasya Çiçek Bamyası (Amasya Flower Okra). Amasya, being the province where okra is most cultivated in the Black Sea Region of Turkey, benefits from the moderating effect of the climate due to the low elevation of the Canik Mountains, allowing the influence of the sea to reach the inland areas. Additionally, the climate is softened by the valleys of the Yeşilırmak and Kızılırmak rivers, providing the okra plant with a long vegetation period (125 to 135 days) as it thrives in warm climates. Amasya Çiçek Bamyası stands out among okras cultivated in other regions of Turkey due to its distinctive features, including the ability to spread its harvest over a long period and suitability for drying. The fields where okra is planted in Amasya are characterized by alluvial materials and flat plains with high permeability, located along the Yeşilırmak and its branches (Çekerek, Tozanlı, and Destek Çayı), and their gently sloping areas (such as Taşova and its surroundings, Göynücek and its surroundings). The continued cultivation of okra in Amasya has allowed the plant to adapt and develop resilience to various stress conditions, including climate, soil characteristics, diseases, and pests. The stems of the plant are green with red stripes, leading locals to refer to it as "kızıl bacak" (red-legged). Historical records from the Ottoman period, specifically a work written in 1893, state that 975 okka (approximately 1250 kg) of okra were produced in Amasya. Another source indicates that in 1901, 76,920 kg and 220,504 kg of Amasya Okra were sent to Istanbul and the Ottoman Palace, respectively. The promotion of Amasya Çiçek Bamyası began with the "Taşova Çiçek Bamyası Kültür ve Sanat Festivali" (Taşova Flower Okra Culture and Arts Festival) organized by the Taşova Municipality in 1994 and has been held annually since then. The distinctive feature of Amasya Çiçek Bamyası, widely cultivated in Amasya, Tokat, and neighboring districts of Çorum, is its light green color and small fruit size. When evaluating Amasya Çiçek Bamyası based on stem, leaf, and fruit fuzziness, it is observed that the stem and leaf fuzziness that negatively affects harvesting is minimal, and the fruit fuzziness, which is important for eating quality, is low. For these reasons, it is preferred by both producers and consumers compared to other okra varieties. The name "Çiçek" (flower) Bamyası is given because it is harvested after the plant has bloomed but before the fruit fully develops. This allows for the possibility of drying this delicate and tender okra in its season for cold winter months. Additionally, due to consumer preferences in Turkey, smaller-sized okras are generally favored in the market. Climate Requirement: Okra is a warm-climate vegetable that thrives in regions with high temperatures, showing regular growth. Temperature is crucial, especially from the second half of the 6th month when okra begins to flower, i.e., when it starts to be harvested, until the end of the 10th month. In the region, the months of July, August, September, and October, which are crucial for harvesting convenience and productivity, have the lowest number of sunny days in October. Amasya Çiçek Bamyası requires a high number of sunny days and a low number of cloudy days for daily harvesting. Inland areas (Amasya, Tokat, Çorum) with low cloud cover, high sunlight exposure, and low elevation provide favorable conditions for cultivating flower okra. Low Rainfall During Harvest Season: Although okra requires increased irrigation during the harvest season (6th to 10th months) due to low rainfall, low precipitation is important for ease of harvest and high quality. The harvest period for Amasya Çiçek Bamyası is most intense in July and August, and low rainfall during these months positively affects yield and harvest.