Yacon and Oca

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Mr.punch

Forager
Oct 15, 2012
112
0
somerset/devon border
Mine have grown more like a ground creeper but look healthy will post a pic when I am up the allotment, the Yakon are only about 3 feet tall but thick stemmed I think that I maybe didn't prepare a deep enough planting hole as my ground is very clay after about 2 feet down, we will see.
No frost proper here yet so they still have time to grow more.
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
1,947
Mercia
the Yakon are only about 3 feet tall but thick stemmed I think that I maybe didn't prepare a deep enough planting hole as my ground is very clay after about 2 feet down, we will see..

Mine are about seven to eight feet - but I am not certain that stem height equates to tuber yield. It will be interesting to compare!
 

decorum

Full Member
May 2, 2007
5,064
12
Warwickshire
I think they may have run out of room under the soil ... must be into triple digits :eek:



... normal or stress trigger? I shall have to have a bit of a read ...
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,979
929
Devon
My oca have done that, formed small tubers on the stems. They tend to do it when they're in humid/damp conditions.

The little tubers will grow next year but I tend to prefer to keep the biggest looking tubers to grow the following year in the vague hope they'll gradually produce bigger tubers year on year. I also would eat the little ones as they'll be green and have a much higher level of oxalic acid.
 

decorum

Full Member
May 2, 2007
5,064
12
Warwickshire
Thats a new one on me!

After having a short look-see and read, it seems that it's related to the way it spreads in the wild ~ give it the right conditions and it forms a tuber on a stem and puts roots down (spreading in a similar fashion to bramble ;) ). I'm of a mind to plant the affected stems up now :D (and to eat some as a trial :D )

My oca have done that, formed small tubers on the stems. They tend to do it when they're in humid/damp conditions.


All of the Oxalis species we've had in the garden have fallen to Rust; so the garden definitely has a humid micro-climate.
 

Tony

White bear (Admin)
Admin
Apr 16, 2003
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Wales
www.bushcraftuk.com
I think they may have run out of room under the soil ... must be into triple digits :eek:



... normal or stress trigger? I shall have to have a bit of a read ...

I think I read that anything above the ground should be removed, I can't be sure i'm right but I think I am :D It was in an article but i can't remember if it was about Yacon or Oca :D
 

decorum

Full Member
May 2, 2007
5,064
12
Warwickshire
I think I read that anything above the ground should be removed, I can't be sure i'm right but I think I am :D It was in an article but i can't remember if it was about Yacon or Oca :D

Can you remember whether removal is suggested because it takes energy away from the main crop in the soil? I'm pretty sure the soil tubers are coming on well but if the stem tubers detract from the taste then they're gone ;)
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
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The frost definitely wilted my Oca last night, so I will wait until the tops die back, another 2 weeks for the tubers to form and then lift them. Certainly worth keeping an eye on your Oca and I anyone has Yacon in, it is probably time to lift it if the leaves are blackening and wilting.
 

TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
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Exeter
The frost definitely wilted my Oca last night, so I will wait until the tops die back, another 2 weeks for the tubers to form and then lift them. Certainly worth keeping an eye on your Oca and I anyone has Yacon in, it is probably time to lift it if the leaves are blackening and wilting.

Best way to keep the Oca Tubers a box in a cold dark place?
 

Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
4,570
S. Lanarkshire
Mine are still flowering :rolleyes:
End of November nearly and we've had no frost in the garden at all.

I started mine off early thinking they'd never get long enough light, and now it's going to stretch them out, and I still don't know if there's a crop or not :dunno:

Kind of fun watching them grow though :D

M
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
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There's a crop Mary - or there will be a couple of weeks after the frost kills the top growth -I'll bet good money on it - they have had more than long enough. There generally isn't much untill that top growth gets re-absorbed :)
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
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Best way to keep the Oca Tubers a box in a cold dark place?

Cool but frost free. I generally get mine nice and dry, then pack them in straw to over winter. Bring them out into the light to "chit" in the Spring.

for all the tales o them needing protection though, i always get loads coming up in the previous years bed :)
 

Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
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S. Lanarkshire
You have no idea how hard it has been to resist the temptation to lift one and have a looksee :eek:

I've waited this long; I'll be good :D

M
 

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