Oca and yacon

Buttercupdays · September 2018

Does anyone have any experience of growing either of these?

They sound like they might make interesting additions to a veggie diet, but would there be any realistic chance of success if I tried to grow them up here in the Pennines?

Lyn · September 2018

Do you mean Ochra? (Okra.) here’s a link, I have never grown them
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetables/okra Don’t know the other one.

madpenguin · September 2018

No experience but sure looks possible!
https://www.permaculture.co.uk/How-to-grow-harvest-eat-yacon

Buttercupdays · September 2018

Thanks for that @Madpenguin. I'd read about them in Realseeds.co.uk, who supply both, but your article added some extra detail.

I already grow dahlias so yacon should fit in easily.

Oca is more frost sensitive and it can be tricky forecasting the first sharp frost, even though it is usually worse at the bottom of the hill rather than the top. I have cloches though, which might help.

If they work I only have to buy them the once, then I can use my own produce in future years, so tempted to have a go.

Fire · September 2018

I didn't know about oca (New Zealand yam). Interesting.

treehugger80 · September 2018

oca's quite easy to grow, just treat it like potatoes,

you need to chit first in March, i tend to put it in a large pot to start it off then bury the whole lot deeply in May time, then once its been hit by frost hard (like turned to mush hard) you wait a week then dig up the tubers,

there's no pests that i know of in this country barring children, as the leaves and stalks taste like sharp apple skin or even sherbet lemons.

Oca and yacon

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