This is the only thing that's bothering me about growing it KeenOnGreen, keeping it safe until the spring. This is the reply that I got from Cathy at Real Seeds.
'We’ve just harvested the yacon - so now would be a good time to buy it, while we definitely have it in stock.
Make sure you read the instructions on the packet about potting up on arrival.'
Obviously, I'll follow their advice but neither my shed nor small greenhouse is frostproof. I'm wondering about putting the pot up in the loft as it's pretty cool up there because of the insulation but would it need light I wonder?
It doesn't need any light, or warmth as such. It's most important that it doesn't freeze. If you bury it in compost in a pot, that should protect it from low (but above zero) temperatures in your loft. That sounds like a good place, as long as it doesn't get too warm in Winter (otherwise the compost might dry out).
The yacon arrived today, see pic, along with comprehensive instructions on storing, growing and cooking. I am encouraged to save my own seed to grow again. It stresses to keep the tuber frost free. I brought a pot of compost indoors to dry out a couple of days ago so as not to be too wet, in preparation for planting.
@uff It's more important that the tubers don't dry out. Even if the compost is wet, it should be fine as long as you store the pot in a frost free place. If you don't water it, the compost will slowly dry out anyway.
I have never heard of saving the seed of the plant, to my knowledge, most people store some of the tubers each year if they want plants for the following year.
Thank you KeenOnGreen, I appreciate that. I was wondering how much I should let the compost dry. I was worried that too wet would rot the tubers but as you say too dry and the tubers would shrivel. It feels about right at the moment, not soggy so I'll go for it and get them planted.
I've not heard of saving seed with these either because you normally just cut of some growth points but I guess it's a good backup in case you lose the tubers.
Reading the instructions again I'm beginning to think that the seed saving is generic despite seed saving and cooking instructions being included with the general advice for yacon. It also goes on to talk about storing seeds so if I'm successful at growing the plant then I shall save tubers and won't be concerned at this stage about potentially saving seed.
Well, it's done and dusted, metaphorically and literally, they are now planted and are being stored in the loft.
First chance I have had to reply as my computer was playing up all week, it has decided to behave today!
I ordered one root on eBay and it arrived on Thursday, to say I am under whelmed about the size of it is an under statement, smaller by the looks of it Uff than your smaller one, but it has two eyes. I have potted it up and it is on the kitchen window where I can keep an eye on it!
It cost a fiver, it won't be the end of the world id it does not survive.
Thanks for the info KOG.
My wife posted 3 Christmas cards to relatives in France, £1.70 each, £5.10 in total and nothing to show for it, whereas I might have a tasty new vegetable next season!
@Braidman You don’t want it to grow over the Winter. The warmth of your home might make it think it’s spring. It would be better to keep it somewhere cool.
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'We’ve just harvested the yacon - so now would be a good time to buy it, while we definitely have it in stock.
Obviously, I'll follow their advice but neither my shed nor small greenhouse is frostproof. I'm wondering about putting the pot up in the loft as it's pretty cool up there because of the insulation but would it need light I wonder?
I brought a pot of compost indoors to dry out a couple of days ago so as not to be too wet, in preparation for planting.
I have never heard of saving the seed of the plant, to my knowledge, most people store some of the tubers each year if they want plants for the following year.
Well, it's done and dusted, metaphorically and literally, they are now planted and are being stored in the loft.