Thread: Oca and Mashua
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Old 28-03-2015, 04:42 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Bob Hobden Bob Hobden is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2006
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Default Oca and Mashua

"David Hill" wrote

Bob Hobden wrote:
"Nick Maclaren" wrote
Bob Hobden wrote:
Bought some Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) to grow this year, anyone with
experience
of growing this in the UK?

Also bought Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) to try, both for it's
flowers and
the edible tubers (not that I might eat many considering their
reputation!)

What reputation?

I have grown both. Oca straggles badly, but the tubers don't really
start growing until the days shorten, so they don't get very large with
me. It is a very pleasant, slightly acidic, potato-like object.

I didn't eat the latter, because I didn't know it was edible at the
time, but it grows well and is quite pretty.

The tubers of both are very sensitive to frost.


Thanks Nick, we will see how Oca does on our heavy acidic soil and
neither of us has eaten it so it will be interesting. As for Mashua, it
has the reputation of having the same effect as Bromide in the tea. :-)
or should that be :-( .


You might find it easier to grow Oca in large pots, it's easier to find the
tubers


If only I had the room at home, could still go on the allotment though, it's
a thought.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK