Yacon and Oca

[British Red]

I'm more than a bit relieved to hear that I'm not alone

I grew them in two raised beds, 4' apart. They met in the middle and have formed a dense "carpet". I suspect I will be harvesting with a machete!

 

[Toddy]

Do the shaws wilt like potatoes do ?

M

 

[British Red]

Oh yeah - as soon as they feel hard frost they turn to this

Frosted Oca by British Red, on Flickr

 

[Mr.punch]

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]

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]

I think they may have run out of room under the soil ... must be into triple digits



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

 

[British Red]

Thats a new one on me!

 

[slowworm]

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]

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 (and to eat some as a trial )

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]

I think they may have run out of room under the soil ... must be into triple digits



... 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 It was in an article but i can't remember if it was about Yacon or Oca

 

[decorum]

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 It was in an article but i can't remember if it was about Yacon or Oca

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

 

[Stew]

I keep forgetting to check if they need to be dug up! It's frost time they come up, right?

 

[British Red]

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]

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]

Mine are still flowering
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

Kind of fun watching them grow though

M

 

[British Red]

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]

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]

You have no idea how hard it has been to resist the temptation to lift one and have a looksee

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

M

 

[British Red]

You'll be eating them this side of Yule

 

[Mr.punch]

We have had a good frost here the Yakon has gone black and the Oca is top dead by the look of it, how long can either be left before lifting? Thanks.