Oca, Amarillo

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Oca information and growing instructions

I don’t know anything about the background of this one, but it is presumably an Andean heirloom variety since is was available before oca seed was produced in this country.

Tubers are medium sized, thick but rarely more than three inches long.  The skin is a somewhat translucent yellow without contrasting eye.  I think it is a really appealing variety.  Yields are usually moderate.  After the tubers have been sweetened by exposure to light, the flavor brings to mind winter squash and potato; it is just barely sweet with slight tartness.  Large plants with green stems. The flowers are mid-styled but this variety is a poor flowerer, so it is challenging to use for breeding.

(There are multiple varieties of oca named Amarillo.  This is the most common variety by this name in North America.)

What you will receive:

Tubers

You will receive the stated number of tubers, packaged in a wax envelope. We grade tubers by passing them through a grate. Small tubers are those that won’t fall through a 1/3″ grate, but that will fall through a 1 inch grate. Medium/large tubers are those that will not fall through a 1 inch grate.

Seeds

Seeds are open pollinated. Because oca is a polyploid hybrid, the seeds will not grow true to type. They are suitable for use in breeding or conservation efforts and could be used to select varieties similar to the parent type.