I posted on my “yam minisett” experiment last month.
Here are the results:
Not all of the pieces emerged. I knew some of the yams were old, so I’m guessing that was the issue. The tissue inside some of them was a bit mottled, which makes me think that’s why they rotted rather than jumped to life. Yam propagation works better when you use fresh yams.
Lots have come up, however – check it out:
Those vines are really hopping. I need to get transplanting ASAP!
True yams are an excellent survival crop for Florida and other subtropical areas – I can’t recommend them enough.
Speaking of yams, here’s a rare purple ube yam that’s popping back up after its long winter sleep:
I’ve got that growing at the base of a pollarded sweetgum tree. The pole beside it is there to give it a jump onto the trunk.
This year the root will likely be large enough to harvest…
…and make more yam minisetts for next year.
Go out, hit your local ethnic market and hunt down some yams. They’re beautiful and easy-to-grow – and unlike air potatoes, they’re not at all invasive.
2 responses to “African Yam propagation from minisetts: it worked!”
I purchased one of these from you in March. I put it in a large grow bag and it has done amazing…growing up a trellis. I’m wondering how long I should let it grow before harvesting and starting new sets. Any advice is appreciated. Lyda
I wouldn’t harvest until next fall when the vines die back – then you should have a great big root.