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Post by ottawagardener on Sept 28, 2009 10:04:18 GMT -5
I got a plant of cinammon yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia) which sadly perished where I had planted it  I intend on trying it again (it's not invasive here btw) but maybe I need some tips and another source... my teeny plant was from Ritchers, poor thing. I'd love to try D. batatas but I don't think it is hardy here. |
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Post by orflo on Sept 28, 2009 10:18:42 GMT -5
I don't have problems with these, they're even a tiny little bit invasive here  They do want the necessary rain, and once they get started, they grow fast until they reach 3 metres and more. I don't get it: was it very dry when they perished? That could have been the problem... I never managed to dig up a root completely, they're always very deep, but the taste is very good, especially fried. The roots are surprisingly hardy, I always read they take frost down to -10 or so, but we had -17 C and , yes, no problem, there they are again.... I could send you some small bulbils for replanting, just keep these cool and a bit moist, these bulbils didn't like the big cold...   |
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Post by ottawagardener on Sept 28, 2009 10:42:33 GMT -5
Probably dry weather as they were planted in a place that can suffer a bit of drought now and again. Well that probelm is solved. It would be very, very kind of you to send me on a few bulblits and I promise to be a better plant parent and place them in a spot where they will get adequate moisture.
Nice pictures as always. They really are very pretty plants.
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Post by plantsnobin on Sept 28, 2009 10:55:27 GMT -5
Telsing, I have this, and hadn't offered it to anyone because they can be so pesky for me. I would be surprised if a dry year were the problem, as mine have survived many very dry years. I could send you some if you want them. I am ashamed to say that this is another edible I grow that I haven't tried eating yet. I may go dig some up right now to try.
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Post by ottawagardener on Sept 28, 2009 18:42:13 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I don't suppose I could get a couple from both of you?? That would be very kind and as always, anything I write about, I'm happy to share if I can.
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Post by pugs on Oct 4, 2009 10:22:53 GMT -5
Hi Karen,
Could I get some from you as well?
Thanks,
Pugs
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Post by plantsnobin on Oct 4, 2009 11:31:21 GMT -5
Ok, the other day after posting that I should try some, that is just what I did. I took pics but don't have time to upload them right now, but I will say that I was surprised. Even very small 'seedling' sizes plants had a small tuber growing. I would plant them in a raised bed if I were going to be using them to any extent to make the digging easier, and with less breakage. Peeling small ones was difficult, because once you cut them, they exude a very slick substance, that covers your hands but comes of easily. I don't remember ever reading about that. But anyway, other than being hard to hold onto easily peeled. I sliced and fried them without putting anything on them, just to get their true taste. I would have to say they are pretty much like potatoes. Not really any strong flavor of their own, but nice enough texture. Would certainly make a good potato substitue. I was pleasantly surprised since many of the things I have tasted this year from my perennial garden are more in the category of maybe if you were starving. Anyone who wants some, PM me your address. BUT don't say I didn't say they could become pesty. The little bulbils fall off the stems very easily, and each one will sprout a new plant. You have been warned.
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Post by plantsnobin on Oct 5, 2009 11:03:07 GMT -5
 I should add that the texture was a little grainy, but not bad. I didn't try any of the aerial tubers, but you can eat them too. |
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Post by ottawagardener on Oct 7, 2009 8:28:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the picture. I was hoping to mostly eat the aerial tubers but it's nice to know that the tubers were more or less productive as well!
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Post by jbl4430 on Dec 30, 2011 23:07:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the picture. I was hoping to mostly eat the aerial tubers but it's nice to know that the tubers were more or less productive as well! Here is my yam. Niagara Fall Canada.    From second year take major root and use(steam and eat),and keep stem and root ,they will grow next year---repeat again and again. |
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Post by castanea on Dec 31, 2011 0:14:33 GMT -5
Nice photos
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Dec 31, 2011 0:24:56 GMT -5
What's the balls on the vines? Are those cinnamon yam seed pods? Do they produce viable seeds for you?
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Post by spacecase0 on Dec 31, 2011 1:54:19 GMT -5
I think they are aerial tubers that roll around and take root to make new plants,
I am growing them from the aerial tubers, but mine have not produced any of them yet
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Post by orflo on Dec 31, 2011 4:24:13 GMT -5
They're indeed aerial tubers, they make a wonderful snack and are used for propagation, I just leave them lying around here and plants pop up from time to time.
There is a dioscorea with very big aerial tubers, up to 5 inches or more, dioscorea bulbifera, which can be eaten as well. I tried to grow this one out twice over here, but they do need a very long season under tropical circumstances, I just got a vine over two metres long but no aerial tubers. It seems to be invasive in warmer parts of the US.
Another one (on my wish list) is dioscorea alata, this one has a very nice purple color, the roots seem to be quite tasty, but I never had the chance to grow one out or even see one over here
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Post by cortona on Dec 31, 2011 6:55:27 GMT -5
orflo, can you share some bulbils with me? this plants looks really interessant.
if not can you show me some source here in the eu?
thanks a lot!
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