Oca, Puka Ñawi

Oca information and growing instructions

Puka Ñawi is an heirloom variety from Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is notable for its mild flavor and large average tuber size.

Culinary Traits

Puka Ñawi has no tartness, nor sweetness, making it very similar in flavor to potato.  The cooked texture is moderately firm and the yellow color holds through cooking.

Agronomic Traits

Puka Ñawi plants are large and sprawling at maturity.  The tubers are produced on stolons of intermediate length and are typically uniform.  Tuberization photoperiod is about 12 hours, the same as most heirloom varieties.  Average yield is 1.8 pounds.  Maximum tuber length is 4.1 inches and average tuber length is 2.1 inches.  Average tuber count is 28.  This variety produces slightly more large tubers than small tubers. 

Puka Ñawi is a moderate flowerer with a short-styled flower, flowering here in July and August.

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.