48 Conditions for growth Dioscorea batata is a very cold-resistant plant, adapting to temperatures as low as -10 to -15°C. It prefers a rich, well-drained soil and a sunny or partial-shade position within the garden. The plant is a climbing vine, so it is ideal to implement a support system. The Chinese yam however is a very fast spreading plant and precautions must be taken so that it does not become dominant within the garden and annexe the growing space of other plants. Propagation can be done in several ways: by seeds, by tubers, by replanting the superior portion, by tubercles found along the stems or by cuttings. The planting must be done during the spring. Dioscorea batatas is dioecious so the grower must select an adequate number of male and female plants in order to ensure pollination. The harvest period is usually in the fall, but the tubers can also be stored in the ground and dug out when necessary. The more the tuber sits in the ground, the bigger it will get in size and it may take 3-4 years for it to mature completely. The weight of the tubers is generally around 2 kg. The Chinese Yam tends to be very resistant to pests but can be affected by Chinese yam necrotic mosaic, a disease transmitted by insects. Selected sources of planting material Companion Plants 7247 N. Coolville Ridge Road Athens, Ohio 45701 United States Tel. +1 740 592 46 43 www.companionplants.com Edulis-Growers of Rare Plants 1 Flowers Piece, Ashampstead Reading RG8 8SG United Kingdom Tel. +44 163 557 81 13 www.edulis.co.uk Pagina 57
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