Oca rooting

[bikermike]

Anyone ever done this? I found an oca shoot in the gh after planting them out.

It's about 6" long

I dipped it some rooting powder and shoved in some doil and it seems to have taken. Wonder if i'll get anything from it...

[veggiechicken]

I've done it with potato chits!

[Jay-ell]

Probably doesn't need the rooting power.

[ameno]

Oca roots very easily from cuttings, so you don't need the rooting powder. Just stick it in compost or soil and keep it moist and out of direct sun: it'll root within 2-3 weeks.
Apparently they don't crop quite as well from cuttings, but you'll still get something, so if you have space I say stick it in.

[Snadger]

Strange things happening with my Oca growing in the greenhouse.



Any ideas?

[ameno]

That happens to oca sometime, apparently. It's called fasciation. It seems to be cause by genetic mutation.
It can cause a reduced crop, but otherwise is harmless. Best not to save any seed tubers from that pant, though, just in case they carry on the problem.

[Jay-ell]

As above.

I had it last year. Nothing to worry about, tubers are all fine.

[Ognen09]

Hi, where do you recommend getting your Oca tubers from please? I'd quite like to have a go as this is the first time I've heard of them!

[Snadger]

Hi, where do you recommend getting your Oca tubers from please? I'd quite like to have a go as this is the first time I've heard of them!

I managed to get some from Dobbies Garden Centre , three tubers for �1.99 Online suppliers have a better mixture of colours and varieties, albeit at a much higher price.

[Ognen09]

Thank you! We have a Dobies near us. Have I missed the boat for this year do you think?

[Snadger]

Thank you! We have a Dobies near us. Have I missed the boat for this year do you think?

Reckon so.

[Ognen09]

Reckon so.

�� Oh well I'll give it a go next year!

[bikermike]

I wouldn't this year, they like a long growing season.

Although they aren't cheap, you get a decent yield (but really leave them in the ground until thoroughly dead, the difference a week makes when they seem dead is astounding), and i'll let you know at Christmastime what the yield on re-planted stuff is...

[ameno]

They're not cheap first time around, but you can save tubers to plant for next year, so you don't have to shell out every year.
Same with sweet potatoes, although you should overwinter those as cuttings instead.

[Jay-ell]

I wouldn't this year, they like a long growing season.

Although they aren't cheap, you get a decent yield (but really leave them in the ground until thoroughly dead, the difference a week makes when they seem dead is astounding), and i'll let you know at Christmastime what the yield on re-planted stuff is...

I harvested mine on the 27th December last year. Better results than in November the previous year.