El yam is the name given to a group of edible tuberculous plants of the genus Dioscorea. These tubers are used in the same way as potatoes, that is, they can be fried or cooked according to our preferences. They have a very pleasant taste and we can combine them with other foods, such as meat, fish and / or vegetables.
If you want to know everything about yam, its care, its harvesting, and much more, don't miss this special.
Yam characteristics
Dioscorea alata
As we mentioned, yam is the name given to the tubers of various Dioscorea. These plants are native to the hot and humid areas of Africa, South Asia and the islands of the Pacific. The main species that are cultivated are:
Dioscorea alata
It is the purple yam, and it is grown in the Far East. Although the production is lower, it is the most sought after, since the tubers have pygmies that give them purple or violet color. These measure about 30cm long, they are globose and have a thin, yellowish bark. The leaves are up to 25cm long, are opposite and generally alternate on young plants.
Dioscorea bulbifera
This is a species that can become invasive in hot climates. It is known by the name of »aerial potato». The tubers are round in shape, about the size of a tennis ball. Its leaves are up to 20cm long, and are opposite.
Dioscorea cayennensis
It is a yam native to Africa. The tubers have a cylindrical shape, dense texture and a length of 20-25cm. The subspecies rotundata, also called Dioscorea rotundata, is the white yam. It is one of the most important, since it can be kept for several days without spoiling.
Dioscorea dumetorum
It is the bitter yam. It is not grown much for its flavor. It is native to Africa. Its tubers are about 20cm long and its leaves 15cm long by 9cm wide.
Dioscorea esculenta
It is the common yam, since its taste is considered to be one of the best. It has been cultivated for several thousand years in Asia. The tubers are about 20-25cm long and have a sweet taste. The leaves are large, up to 20cm long, and are opposite.
Dioscorea oppositifolia
It is a yam native to China, also cultivated in Japan. The tuber is smaller than that of other species, but much more resistant to cold. This can measure up to 20cm long. Its leaves are large, up to 30cm long.
Dioscorea trifida
It is a yam whose origin is found in tropical America, specifically the Caribbean and Central America. It is known by the names of white yam, mapuey, yampí or papa de aire, among others. The tubers are long, being able to measure up to 30cm. The leaves are simple, alternate, and measure up to 15cm.
Cultivation or care
If you want to have a Dioscorea plant, follow our advice:
Location
If you are going to have it outside, it will grow better in semi-shadow, but if it is going to be indoors, put it in a room where a lot of light enters.
Irrigation
Must be frecuente. 3 to 4 times a week in summer, and 1 to 2 a week the rest of the year.
Transplant
Whether you want to have it in the garden or in a pot, you can transplant it into spring.
What soil do you need?
In the case of you want to have it in the garden, it is important that the soil has good drainage, so it has a tendency to compact, it is highly recommended that you make a hole of about 50-70cm, and place two blocks, one on top of the other, and fill them with sandy substrate, or with a mixture of garden soil with pumice, akadama or similar.
What substrate do you need?
If you want to have them in a pot, it is advisable to use porous substrates.
Subscriber
As it is a plant whose tubers are edible, it must be paid with Organic fertilizersand guano, earthworm humus or manure. In the case that we have it in a pot, we will fertilize it with liquid fertilizers, but if it is on the ground we can put a layer of about 2-3cm around it once a month.
Multiplication
May cut the stems and plant them in pots with porous substrates in late spring, or separate the tubers at the beginning of the mentioned season.
Rusticity
Most species cannot bear the cold, but if you choose to plant a Dioscorea oppositifolia, the Chinese yam, can be had outdoors in areas that have winters with frosts of up to -5ºC.
Yam properties
Yam is a tuber widely used to make recipes, but did you know that it can be the best ally for your health? In fact, it is diuretic, strengthens the immune system, purifies the blood, and if you plan to have children, it will help you since increases fertility in women, especially wild yam (Dioscorea villosa).
Where to buy it?
You can get it at any supermarket, although you should know that capsules are also sold in herbalists.
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