Yacon, New Zealand

Yacon information and growing instructions

This is reportedly a New Zealand commercial variety and probably originally of Ecuadorian origin.  This is a great all-around variety that would be my second choice after Cajamarca.  Plants are high yielding producers of white/tan tubers with a lot of purple/red blushing, becoming darker after exposure.  Unlike many varieties, this one continues growing taller after flowering begins and often ends the season more than seven feet tall here.   Rhizome dormancy is among the longest at 38 F, lasting 3-4 months without significant sprouting.

New Zealand is an early flowerer and the best seed producer of our heirloom varieties, with almost 3 seeds per flower with hand pollination.  Unfortunately, it is not a good pollen producer.   This variety is a good choice for breeding.  The combination of New Zealand and Bekya is probably the best for seed production among heirloom varieties, although the seed yield is much less than we can obtain with our seed grown varieties.

What you will receive:

Rhizome

You will receive the stated number of rhizome pieces, packed in damp peat. You should keep packets refrigerated and check them periodically to make sure that the exposed cuts are not molding. If mold develops, cut back to clean flesh and plant or pot as soon as possible. Rhizome does not store well, so it is always better to plant it than to store it if you can.

Seeds

Seeds are open pollinated. Because yacon 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.