Dioscorea esculenta, commonly known as the lesser yam, is a yam species native to Island Southeast Asia and introduced to Near Oceania and East Africa by early Austronesian voyagers. It is grown for their edible tubers, though it has smaller tubers than the more widely-cultivated Dioscorea alata and is usually spiny.
Water at least two times a week, depending on weather conditions. While it is extra dry, they need more water. Water regularly, especially during mid-summer. Deep watering in hot, dry periods will help to increase yields. Late in the season, reduce watering to avoid cracking of the tuber’s skin in storage.
Side-dress 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting with 5-10-10 fertilizer. If you have sandy soil, use more. Feed every 6-8 weeks from spring to mid autumn. During flowering and fruiting stages feed weekly.
Young plants grow best with a topdressing of gravel covering most of the caudex. New roots grow from the outer edge of the caudex, so they are best protected with a well drained layer of gravel. Your soil mix should be a minimum 50% inorganics like pumice, and 50% organics.
Do not prune sweet potato vines; they should be vigorous. If your Dioscorea alata grows aerial tubers that you don’t plan to propagate, clip them off before they mature.
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