Jicama

Mom2Four 5/20/2010, 5:19 pm

Has anyone every tried to grow jicama? How long did it take you to harvest? Any tips? What was your climate? Thanks!

Retired Member 1 5/20/2010, 7:00 pm

I'm not sure jicama is a good choice for SFG. Each plant can get quite large and the tubers (3 or 4 per plant) would need more than 6" of soil since they can each get 5" or larger. But it looks like it would be fun to grow for those who get 6 - 9 months frost free.

http://www.greenharvest.com.au/Plants/jicama_info.html

Mom2Four 5/20/2010, 7:20 pm

Read the info on the link. Very helpful, thank you.

My boxes are 12" deep. I made them before I knew about SFG. I am replacing the top half of the soil with Mel's Mix as I go. We have a very long growing season in San Diego. I might just try it!

Retired Member 1 5/20/2010, 8:14 pm

Go for it! If I were to try it, I'd dedicate two squares per plant and put it on a trellis. As a matter of fact, I just might try it next year myself -- it sure would be a conversational piece among my neighbours. jicama - Jicama Icon_eek

Mom2Four 5/20/2010, 8:16 pm

I will if you will! jicama - Jicama Icon_lol

Thanks again.

countrynaturals 8/8/2017, 11:05 am

I forgot all about this. Adding it to my list for next year. I just did a little research and it doesn't look like jicama is a very good candidate for planting a grocery store tuber, so I'm going to special order from a nursery. It also looks like these puppies are very slow growers, requiring a long frost-free season, which is fine with me. I'll get on this next spring and report my progress next summer. Rolling Eyes

Ginger Blue 8/8/2017, 1:07 pm

countrynaturals wrote:I forgot all about this. Adding it to my list for next year. I just did a little research and it doesn't look like jicama is a very good candidate for planting a grocery store tuber, so I'm going to special order from a nursery. It also looks like these puppies are very slow growers, requiring a long frost-free season, which is fine with me. I'll get on this next spring and report my progress next summer.

CN, I ordered seeds earlier this year, if you'd like some.

Of the three seeds I sowed indoors, two germinated and only one of the seedlings survived transplant. It is a slow grower, but so far, so good. They're pretty vines. Cool

I'll be happy to share some seeds; let me know and I'll send 'em right out.

GB
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countrynaturals 8/8/2017, 2:42 pm

Ginger Blue wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:I forgot all about this. Adding it to my list for next year. I just did a little research and it doesn't look like jicama is a very good candidate for planting a grocery store tuber, so I'm going to special order from a nursery. It also looks like these puppies are very slow growers, requiring a long frost-free season, which is fine with me. I'll get on this next spring and report my progress next summer.

CN, I ordered seeds earlier this year, if you'd like some.

Of the three seeds I sowed indoors, two germinated and only one of the seedlings survived transplant. It is a slow grower, but so far, so good. They're pretty vines.

I'll be happy to share some seeds; let me know and I'll send 'em right out.

GB
Save

Ooo, I love it. Thank you, GB. I didn't know we could grow them from seed. BIG hug

Ginger Blue 8/8/2017, 3:29 pm

countrynaturals wrote:
Ginger Blue wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:I forgot all about this. Adding it to my list for next year. I just did a little research and it doesn't look like jicama is a very good candidate for planting a grocery store tuber, so I'm going to special order from a nursery. It also looks like these puppies are very slow growers, requiring a long frost-free season, which is fine with me. I'll get on this next spring and report my progress next summer.

CN, I ordered seeds earlier this year, if you'd like some.

Of the three seeds I sowed indoors, two germinated and only one of the seedlings survived transplant. It is a slow grower, but so far, so good. They're pretty vines.

I'll be happy to share some seeds; let me know and I'll send 'em right out.

GB
Save
Ooo, I love it. Thank you, GB. I didn't know we could grow them from seed.

Great!

I'll drop 'em in the mail tomorrow.

In the meantime (and in case others are interested), here's a link to the website where I purchased the seeds. These vines must require growing conditions similar to pole beans because that's the growing guide for the link the supplier has posted on the page.

https://www.seedsnow.com/products/bean-jicama-mexican-yam-bean
Save

countrynaturals 2/14/2018, 2:49 pm

Ginger Blue wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:
Ginger Blue wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:I forgot all about this. Adding it to my list for next year. I just did a little research and it doesn't look like jicama is a very good candidate for planting a grocery store tuber, so I'm going to special order from a nursery. It also looks like these puppies are very slow growers, requiring a long frost-free season, which is fine with me. I'll get on this next spring and report my progress next summer.

CN, I ordered seeds earlier this year, if you'd like some.

Of the three seeds I sowed indoors, two germinated and only one of the seedlings survived transplant. It is a slow grower, but so far, so good. They're pretty vines.

I'll be happy to share some seeds; let me know and I'll send 'em right out.

GB
Save
Ooo, I love it. Thank you, GB. I didn't know we could grow them from seed.

Great! I'll drop 'em in the mail tomorrow.

In the meantime (and in case others are interested), here's a link to the website where I purchased the seeds. These vines must require growing conditions similar to pole beans because that's the growing guide for the link the supplier has posted on the page.

https://www.seedsnow.com/products/bean-jicama-mexican-yam-bean
Save

WOW! 100% germination rate! happy turtle

Your seeds are awesome, Ginger!. I just read that I can't put them out until the soil temp is above 50, so these monsters will be houseplants for another month. affraid

Unfortunately, I also found out the leaves and flowers are poisonous, so I'll have to find a safe place where the chickens can't get to them. I'm thinking inside the salad bar.

On the "good news" side, jicama is a good, low-carb potato substitute. cheers

Ginger Blue 2/14/2018, 3:06 pm

Great! Thanks for the feedback, Suz. clap

I started three jicama seeds last spring, but only one of the seedlings matured to an edible root. Jicama requires a long growing season, but I didn't have a way to over-winter the vine. I harvested the root in October and got a very tasty one-inch, one-bite tidbit. Keep 'em growing as long as you can, to get a good sized portion, then enjoy! hungry

countrynaturals 2/14/2018, 3:29 pm

Ginger Blue wrote:Great! Thanks for the feedback, Suz.

I started three jicama seeds last spring, but only one of the seedlings matured to an edible root. Jicama requires a long growing season, but I didn't have a way to over-winter the vine. I harvested the root in October and got a very tasty one-inch, one-bite tidbit. Keep 'em growing as long as you can, to get a good sized portion, then enjoy!

I planted the seeds in January. Our growing season usually lasts until the 1st of November. I think we're good! okay

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