Anyone growing Yacon?

[aftermidnight]

I grew this for the first time last year, had my fingers crossed as we are a little far north for this crop. I guess you can say I had limited success out of the seven 5 gal. containers, actually buckets, four produced fairly decent tubers, the others grew but didn't do much. I was out in the greenhouse yesterday and noticed the non producing lot (I just left them as is) are now shooting new growth. My question is should I replant these in fresh mix or just leave them to grow again.

I have enough caudices or whatever they're called to actually try a couple out in the garden in a place where I can tent them in plastic if need be in the fall the others I'll be growing in buckets again so they can be moved to the greenhouse if necessary in the fall.

The tubers I did harvest I left out on the counter for a few days to sweeten up and they did before storing in the fridge until eaten, we absolutely loved it so hope to be growing these every year from now on. Almost unheard of in Canada I only found one other person growing them and we both had to source them in the states, hope this changes in the near future. I'm looking for advice as to how I can improve my harvest, what fertilizers to use, best sized container and so on.

I'd love to hear how you grow and store yours and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Annette

 

[so lucky]

Annette, I had never even heard of it till one of your posts. Is it a tuber like a potato? Parsnip? Maybe you will get some interest going here.

 

[catjac1975]

I have never heard of yacon.

 

[Nyboy]

My supermarket has them, subjested boiling for cooking

 

[aftermidnight]

@so lucky I had never heard of it before either until it was mentioned on a UK forum, I thought if they can grow it I should be able to. It's a South American veggie/fruit, grows tubers like a dahlia and needs a long growing season as the tubers don't start forming until the days get shorter. Supposed to have some health benefits especially for diabetics, this I don't know, all I know it is crisp and juicy, sweetens up if you leave the tubers out in the sun for a bit before storing. The one I'm growing tastes something between carrot and pear at least that's what my taste buds think . We eat it raw just plain as a snack or in salads, might be nice with a dip, I have never cooked it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacón
https://www.cultivariable.com/instructions/how-to-grow-yacon/
I see this last link will send to Canada now so might have to try another variety

Annette

 

[Smart Red]

They certainly look interesting. Here's some info I found on YACON. Where to buy and how to use.