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Oca

NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
in Fruit & veg

I have been given 10 Oca with some pink stalks with bumps coming out of them

They look like potatoes

How do i plant them and other advice please

Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.

Posts

  • XX Posts: 707

    Had never heard of them till now NewBoy but found this

    http://www.thompson-morgan.com/how-to-grow-oca-new-zealand-yam

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,724

    And if I don't get thrown off this board for advertising a rival magazine,imagehttp://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/Current-Issue/ it looks as if next  month's edition of Kitchen Garden has a feature on growing it.

    I'm fascinated, especially as Paula's link says it's been growing successful in a Suffolk garden, which is not that far from here .

    Please keep us informed about how you get on NewBoy2 image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813

    They are getting bigger and the flowers are small and diamond shaped   image

    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    Real Seeds sell them.  I saw some at a RHS show in Cardiff two years ago.  They were pretty small.

  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813

    Plants are 18" tall and i am still checking to see if under the soil if anything is happening

    Not much but my neighbour says wait until November

     

    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    What are ocas?

    Ocas (Oxalis tuberosa) is extensively cultivated in Peru and Bolivia. It is also grown commercially in New Zealand where it is known as yam,  and grows very well in the UK and Ireland. It has small edible tubers which are washed, and can then be boiled, roasted, stir fried, or even eaten raw in salads. The tubers have a pleasant sweet/ tangy flavour, Leaves are also edible, with a tangy flavour similar to that of sorrel. Indeed, ocas belong to the Wood sorrel family.

    Mine are about 3 inches long so will be eating them soon and I will report back as its all new to me

    Thanks Friends

    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813

    http://bloomsandfood.com/tag/how-to-cook-oca/

    All my Oca were killed off in the last two days frosts so I have just pulled them all and eaten the first few

    Quite tasty steamed with other veg and similar to small potatoes

    May grow them again

    Thanks friends

     

    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • Tom ParrotTom Parrot Posts: 8

    Check out the Real Seed Company website. It is full of OCA information from growing to cooking. I grew them last year and after the first frost wait about two or more weeks as that is when they grow the most, then harvest.As it has been reasonably mild lately I harvested the last OCA early January 2014 and the were good and larger than the earlier harvest despite the leaves and stems havingdied off from the frost of October. I'll replant more this year although I think they may be off putting to some people.

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