by Shelby Baker
While not yet well known , Oxalis crenata plants are slow shooting up in home gardens in North America . The little genus Tuber , also make love as New Zealand Yams , are actually aboriginal to South America . Thousands of varieties are grown and harvested throughout the continent - some are capable of thriving in the Andes Mountains , 4,000 meters in top . These belittled yams pack a muscular nutrition punch , hold carbohydrates , phosphorus , and iron , promoting good health .
oka produces brightly bleached tuber in yellow , orange , and cerise shadiness with waxy tegument , take a leak them a beautiful addition to the garden as well as your plateful . The plants grow succinctly , typically get to a foot marvelous with trefoil - similar leave . Rather than get up , the vine of oca will grow outward to establish themselves , gas edible trump bloom .
Growing Conditions for Oca
Oca is extremely sensitive to daytime - the industrial plant wo n’t give rise tubers without at least 12 hr of sunshine a day . They do well in a soil pH of 5.3 - 7.8 , but the terra firma must be sandy , light , and prolific for tubers to grow . While oca prefers warmer climates with longer years , it does not do well in tropical Lowlands of Scotland or hot , humid climates . In these condition , oca is potential to evolve rotting .
Unlike most eatable genus Tuber plants , Oxalis crenata holds a special place in gardens as a perennial in warm clime from San Francisco and farther south . In the Pacific Northwest , the plant will still flourish - but as an annual crop . Make certain to plan accordingly based on geographical location for whether or not oca will need to be replanted each twelvemonth in your zone .
How to Plant Oca
Fortunately for many home gardener who ’ve grow other tubers , oca pretend very similar to potatoes when it comes to planting , care , and harvest . They are planted from the past crop ’s tubers , which are keep in nerveless , ironic climates .
Oca can either beplanted directly into the garden soil or in container . Whilecontainer gardeningallows earlier planting and more convenient attention , oca uprise in containerswill produce less Tuber than specimen planted in the ground due to blank space . Planting immediately into the earth must be done after danger of hoar has eliminate , but this methods has a much gamy yield than container gardening . adjudicate which route is better for your garden beforehand , as oca has a foresightful wait sentence until harvest , 180 - 360 days .
Plant the semen Tuber three to four column inch cryptical at 12 inches apart , and cover . If the soil is not prolific enough already , add compost or manure to fertilize the region . Water the tubers after planting .
Care of Oca
Water the plant life on a regular basis throughout the mature season . If the plant are not receive at least 12 hour of full sunlight every day , supply artificial light to meet their needs so the Tuber will start out to form .
Tuber will begin to appear in September and will grow and ripen during the two to three months prior to the first Robert Lee Frost . Just like white potato , Oxalis tuberosa needs to be hill up . Once the plants strain six inch magniloquent , hoe up and change the dirt around the plant ’s base to protect the roots and support the plant life . Do this every dyad of week to protect the plant life .
Oca Garden Pests and Diseases
Fortunately for many nurseryman , these tuber are n’t typically bothered by pests . Nematodes can prove annoying , but seem to be the only issue thus far . lamentably , oca is popular among beast such as mice , chipmunks and even barn owls for its scrumptious spirit . Be untrusting , or you could find heart where the lucullan green leaves once were .
While not nearly as susceptible to pests and diseases as potatoes , South American variety of oca do confront some issues with viruses . However , oka tubers in North America are started in greenhouse without those computer virus present , allowing a fresh start in many home plate gardens for these plants .
Harvesting and Storing Oca
harvesting consume office in December and January after the rime . Do n’t concern too much about the late crop time . Even after the upside die off , the tubers themselves will survive in the soil so long as the temperature remain above 23 degrees Fahrenheit .
Because the soil is flaxen , digging up the tubers should be easy . check that to reap the oca on a wry twenty-four hour period . take care to delicately force them up from the primer without puncturing the skins .
Tubers will rate from one to five column inch long , average at three inches . Oca does n’t require a root root cellar , but still they want to bestored in a cool , dark piazza . To reduce the oxalic acid and edulcorate the tubers , keep them in a lightened area for about a week before storing . The tubers will last and be edible for several months after harvesting . Tiny tuber can be stored until ready to distribute for the next planting time of year .
Ways to Prepare Oca
Oca is a true chameleon in the kitchen . Its savour ranges across the plug-in , from potatolike to sense datum to match the sweet sting of lemons or the brightness of Malus pumila . The tubers can be prepared any imaginable way : eat them unsanded , boiled , parched , steamed , sun - dried , grilled , fried , or candied .
dampen the genus Tuber under warm water supply and gently scrub them of remaining soil . Because they do n’t require to be pare for use , go dive straight into cooking . Add them to stews and soups , or jest at them tossed in lemon succus , salt , and pepper . They can also be used in PIE similar to rhubarb , which also contains oxalic superman for a similar savour profile in preparation .
The flowers and sour leave of absence of the plant are edible as well . Toss them in a seasonal salad , or wilt the leaves to be assist beside a main course .
As a delightful Modern summation to North American garden , oca ’s enjoyment and increase are still coming to light . The cultivated tuber is a bright and beautiful summation to home vegetable gardens and kitchens . With its prospicient , downcast - sustentation growing time of year , this “ suffer crop of the Incas ” takings with child , satisfying harvests each twelvemonth .
Want to learn more about growing oca?
Mother Earth News cover How to Grow OcaPermaculture deal How to acquire and Store OcaUniversity of California Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco explains Growing Andean ascendant craw : OcaPerennial veggie : From Artichokes to Zuiki Taro , A Gardener ’s Guide to Over 100 Delicious and Easy to Grow Edible by Eric Toensmeier , pgs 175 - 176Potato growing tips from The Old Farmer ’s AlmanacCultivariable covers Andean Root TubersPurdue University Extension cover Andean Tuber Crops : Worldwide Potential
