How to Grow Yams | Tree Homes

Now that we've got everything sorted out, what's a yam really? Probably there is as much information about yam plants as there are species: 600 distinct species with as many uses. Many yams grow to gigantic dimensions up to a length of 7 feet and 150 pounds. Yams contain more sugar than sweet potatoes, but they also contain a toxin called oxalate which must be cooked carefully before being ingested safely. Before harvesting, true yams need up to a year of frost-free climate, while sweet potatoes are prepared in 100-150 days. Many other names, including real yams, larger yams, and tropical yams, refer to yams. A number of varieties are accessible for cultivation for both decorative and harvesting purposes, such as Chinese yam crops, white yams, Lisbon yams, Tsao pie, Chiu bak, and yams for water. Yam crops climb perennial vines with heart-shaped leaves that are quite striking and sometimes variegated. Underground tubers grow, but sometimes in the axils of the leaves also aerial tubers grow.

Yams

How to Grow Yams

Like periodic potatoes, sweet potatoes are cultivated. It takes a lot more time to grow. In smooth, wealthy soil, they develop best. It is possible to grow sweet potatoes in many other soils. The growth of potato root is improved by adding lots of compost and loose material to the soil. Add compost, straw, and other modifications when preparing your soil Work it in the top three to six inches of your soil.

Fertilize every 2-4 weeks. At the cost of root growth, fertilizers elevated in nitrogen will lead to a leafy, green crop. A healthy sweet potato and yam fertilizer contains low nitrogen concentrations and elevated phosphorus concentrations. 6-24-24 or 8-24-24 are excellent sweet potato fertilizers.

Harvesting

You can harvest as soon as the leaves start yellow, but the longer a crop remains in the ground, the higher the yield and the content of vitamins. However, once the frost blacks the plants, tubers may rapidly rot.

Use a spad fork to dig tubers when the soil is dry on a sunny day. Remember that tubers can grow a foot or more from the plant and that spoilage is encouraged by any nicks on their tender skins. Several hours of dry tubers in the sun, then transfer them to a well-ventilated place and hold for 10 to 15 days at 85 to 90 degrees. Store at around 55 degrees after healing, with a moisture of 75 to 80%. It will keep sweet potatoes properly healed and stored for several months.

Storage

Yams should be stored so that they don't sprout in a cool, dry and dark place. They store pretty well and should survive this way for a couple of months.

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