Growing Yam/Oca, also Oka

Oxalis tuberosa : Oxalidaceae / the wood sorrel family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Yam/Oca in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • Plant tubers about 5cm (1.5") deep covered with soil. Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks. Leave in the ground until foliage has completely died down so tubers reach maximum size.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in separate bed

Your comments and tips

10 Apr 19, Ron Mackle (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow yams in the Fraser coast.if so where can I buy seeds?
29 Mar 19, Hemi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Ive planted yellow the have grown huge when flowered how soon does the plant die ?
09 Mar 19, Khalid Cooke (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I looking to grow some NZ yams or oca this year, some Im looking to get my hands on some seeds. A cost would be great and postage as I live in Tasmania. Cheers.
07 Jul 19, Sandy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in the north of Tassie. I got mine from Allen’s garden centre in Prospect, L’ton. Had no problems growing them. Just dug mine up this morning. Hope this helps.
12 Mar 19, Bincy Philip (Australia - temperate climate)
I saw some of those plants (NZ Yam/oca) at Salamanca Market when we visited Tasmania in January. It is worth checking.
20 Feb 19, Carl-Philip (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
My yams have taken off. Growing about 6 feet now from the garden. Do I cut the vines back? . Like kumara.
24 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like too much fertiliser - nitrogen - to have a massive leaf crop. Cut them back to half.
06 Oct 18, Kaye Arnott (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are the little pink yams grown like sweet potatoes which I've grown commercially ..And can the yam be cut like a sweet potato to create a new plant?
07 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can only try. They plant sweet potatoes here in SE QLD with slips. 50-60mm lengths of the vine when the plants are about 6-8 weeks old. They plant from one crop to start another and the cycle goes on and on.
03 Oct 18, cheryl (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi I grew my yams in big bucket & deep wheel barrow but after harvest 50% went rotten< I left them out to cure in the sun under a roof covered @ night, I v been doing this for years with no problems, Why?? Second problem is I can "t grow parsnips I v tried pouring hot water over rows after planting, the board trick, no luck at all. I live in Southland but don"t hold that against me.
Showing 41 - 50 of 181 comments

I'd go with the online info. We plant October/November, harvesting May/June (better after the first frost). They can take their time to really take off - ours had minimal foliage until March.

- Richard Grevers

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