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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 11, 2009 20:28:51 GMT -5
Garden I must see soon: Andes-in-Flanders Research Station (ANIFRES)
What a fascinating sounding plant! I'm looking forward to seeing if it sets seed next year. Very interesting.
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Post by orflo on Jan 11, 2009 23:36:40 GMT -5
I added a few sentences on astringency in the plant description, it's not unimportant and I forgot to add it yesterday. The seeds are free, but you need to have lots of patience with cipotato...But all in all, people are friendly and helpful.. I am definitely looking for Chilean or Argentinian varieties, but for the moment not much seems to be available (see the topic on oca for more explanation about the Argentinian stuff). Now, research station sounds like I'm going to have to put up an ugly concrete building, a guard for receiving people, and a big fence to keep out all enemies ;D ;D ;D Maybe I should learn to play guitar...  ;D ;D |
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Post by canadamike on Jan 11, 2009 23:47:44 GMT -5
Well well, our Flanders research station has come up with a crop that is productive, delicious and doable.... how interesting... are they in root crops a cipotato or elsewhere, since it seems the whole plant is edible.....
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Post by orflo on Jan 12, 2009 0:01:11 GMT -5
As far as I know, this is only grown in small gardens (that's probably why it stayed so unknown). I never heard it was introduced on the fields, but , knowing the mixed production methods in the Andes a bit, it isn't unlikely there could be some growing in bigger plots. The only number I have ever read is that there is an estimated 10 hectares, or just under 20 acres, of this plant left, and that's to be found exclusively in small gardens.
The 'lost crops of the incas' book mentioned three spots where mauka is still grown, meanwhile some other places (and indeed varieties) have been found. I think they already found at least 20 possible varieties, which means it can be selected quite easily, so that offers lots of possibilities for adaptation. I'm hoping to find some Ecuadorian varieties, but it's so difficult to reach or find the right persons...
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Post by stevil on Jan 12, 2009 4:48:14 GMT -5
Now, research station sounds like I'm going to have to put up an ugly concrete building, a guard for receiving people, and a big fence to keep out all enemies ;D ;D ;D Maybe I should learn to play guitar... ;D ;D If I remember correctly there was an ugly looking building or two along the lane up to your house. They had tall metal fences, security alarms and large fierce looking dogs. Have you not ever wondered what even rarer Andean vegetables they are growing? |
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Post by orflo on Jan 12, 2009 6:29:31 GMT -5
I just think they found a way to transform Andean tubers into mean dogs, but no one should know...Alchemy behind bars...
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 12, 2009 9:28:33 GMT -5
Maybe it's not such a good idea to visit your research station... but if you just stick to the guitar playing and get someone to pick me up blind folding in an unmarked car, I promise not to reveal its location or contents...
As for Mirabilis expansa seeds. This is something I may just have to try myself. It really sounds like a worthwhile crop which would be a shame to loss and interesting to diversify.
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 12, 2009 9:29:29 GMT -5
Michel: I'm smiling sweetly at you. If you ever get seeds and find five or so that you don't need?
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Post by canadamike on Jan 12, 2009 11:05:10 GMT -5
Ok Ok ;D Since you're much better looker in person than this picture shows and you don't live far...this sweet smile will get you somewhere ;D ;D ;D ;D
When I get the seeds you get the seeds.
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Post by orflo on Jan 12, 2009 12:09:42 GMT -5
Cipotato has some new mirabilis seeds in September 2009....I just hope I can grow out a whole lot next year
I'm waiting for the next Canadian invasion.... ;D ;D ;D
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Post by canadamike on Jan 12, 2009 16:58:57 GMT -5
OK OK...I'll wait a bit for the jicama then, was going to send it.... anything else my dear, do you want in on the wild alliums with ''tastebuds friendly '' qualities personnaly selected for me by the curator at GRIN ? she is going throug hher personnale notes now. Mighty fine person if youwant my opinion. I am not sure she knows how much studied around the world this biodiversity will be, be hey, maybe I should have told her a flemmish goat would eat it all  As for the canadian invasion, I'll try to be a bit more discreet. Last time canadians invaded Flanders they left a lot of bodies to be buried there..... God bless their soul... |
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Post by castanea on Aug 11, 2009 23:27:29 GMT -5
Orflo, anything new with your mauka?
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Post by orflo on Aug 11, 2009 23:41:22 GMT -5
I'll give some more info later on, within a month or so.... I have three varieties now, the cipotato one, a 'mauka blanca' and a 'mauka roja'. All in all I've planted about 80 maukas this year, and they're just (again) growing like hell, I've tried to measure their growth speed, and it was just over 14 cms a week, that's just under six inches.
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Post by plantsnobin on Aug 12, 2009 8:17:42 GMT -5
Looking forward to hearing more, and growing these myself.
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Post by castanea on Aug 12, 2009 22:13:42 GMT -5
Next month I will try again with cipotato but they have generally ignored me in the past.
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;D ;D
