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YAM GROWING INFORMATION © Frances and Jeff Michaels
BOTANICAL NAME: Dioscorea alata
COMMON NAMES: Greater Yam; Chinese Yam; White Yam
FAMILY: Dioscoreaceae
ORIGIN: Tropical Africa
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Yams are a very ancient food plant, believed to have been cultivated for more than 12,000 years.
They are twining vines with shiny, heart-shaped, purple-tinged leaves and grow from underground
tubers which have a brown skin and white flesh and can weigh many kilos. Yams require a fertile,
well-drained soil with a high organic matter content. Plant at the beginning of summer in areas
that receive a wet season. They will grow in full sun or semi-shade but need a trellis. Plants
need plenty of water during the growing season.
USES
Always peel before using as food. Yams can be used in the same way as potatoes, but are probably
best baked, the flavour is fairly bland. In Japan, yam is dipped in batter and fried for tempura.
In Malaysia, yams are used in a coconut milk dessert.
PLANTING DETAILS
Recommended planting time: Plant at the beginning of the warm
weather, tubers that have been stored will usually begin to sprout as the weather warms up.
Planting depth: Plant the tuber a few cm below the soil surface.
Plant spacing: Space plants 50 cm apart.
HARVEST
Tubers are ready to harvest when the vines die back in late autumn. Excavate carefully to avoid
damaging the skin, start a fair way back from the leaf stem. Tubers can be stored for many months
in a cool, dry place.
Reference: 'The Yam: A Tropical Root Crop' by L. Degras
Not to NORFOLK ISLAND, NT, SA, TAS or WA
SORRY but due to quarantine restrictions between Australian States no plants at all can be ordered
by residents of
Norfolk Island,
Tasmania and
Western Australia. These restrictions are very important as they prevent
the spread of plant pests and diseases. No potatoes, garlic, shallots, strawberries or tubestock
can be sent to
South Australia. No tubestock can be sent to
Northern Territory.
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