Also Known as ,Dioscorea Alata ,Purple yam, Edible Purple Yam, Filipino Purple Yam, Jamaican Moonshine Yam, Indian Ratalu.
Dioscorea alata, known as purple yam and many other names, is a species of yam, a tuberous root vegetable. The tubers are usually bright lavender in color, hence the common name
What is Ube Yam
With its heart-shaped leaves and vigorous growth habit, purple yam (Dioscorea alata) will appeal if you need a fast-growing, vining plant to fill in spaces or cover unsightly structures in your landscape. It is a tender perennial and will thrive with little care or attention in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 10, although you must give it light shade and plenty of water during the summer in hotter areas. Harvest and replant purple yam tubers each year to prevent the plants taking over the garden.
Dioscorea alata is a naturally occurring species of yam from tropical Asia. Yams are perennial vines which are widely cultivated for their starchy tubers—a dietary staple in great swaths of Africa. Dioscorea alata is different from the African yams in that it is principally used as a dessert or a dessert flavoring. The yam, which goes by other names such as “water yam”, “winged yam,” “ratalu”, “purple yam” or, perhaps most characteristically as “ube” (in the Phillipines, where it is highly esteemed) is also different from virtually every other food stuff in that it is a shocking shade of bright lavender.
How to Grow a Purple Yam
1 Install a sturdy, 8- to 10-foot-tall trellis along the edge of the bed to accommodate the purple yam vines. Or, create the bed along the edge of an existing structure such as a fence or shed. Using a shorter trellis is fine as long as you prune the vines regularly in summer.
2
Lean the tips of the vines against the base of the trellis to help guide their growth. Side-dress around each purple yam vine with a 2-inch-thick layer of compost once they are tall enough to reach the trellis.
3 Water purple yam vines deeply once a week. Run a garden hose at the base of each vine until the soil feels moist at a depth of 3 inches. Increase water to twice weekly during periods of extended drought, which will keep the tubers from dehydrating and splitting open.
4 Prune back the tips of purple yam vines if they outgrow the trellis. Snip off the excess growth with pruning shears and discard it. Make the cut just above a set of leaves to encourage side growth, which will give the plant a fuller appearance.
5 Pluck off and discard the brown, half-moon shaped bulbils that appear along the vines during the summer to keep the plant from self-propagating. Pull off the bulbils by hand and burn them or throw them in the trash. Do not throw put them into green waste cans or compost bins because they will take root.
6 Harvest the tubers for eating or replanting in late summer, once the vine has stopped growing. Dig up the tubers. Reserve some for eating and replant the others 2 feet apart and 2 inches deep in the same bed. Amend the soil with a 4-inch layer of compost before replanting the purple yam tubers.
In Containers
Plant a sprouted tuber slip in a large container set in front of a sturdy trellis or other support structure. If desired, set additional containers at 10-foot intervals along the support structure for additional yam harvests. Water the yams at least once a week — and check soil moisture between watering sessions.
Select your desired size and color from the available option
Anonymous –
DV8 Offroad 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK Metal Heat Dispersion Hood – Primer Black DV8 Offroad
Battery for LG K220dsZ BL-T24, EAC63340001, EAC63358901 3.85V Li-Polymer 4100mAh Cameron Sino
Caleçon à imprimé Pizza et jeux pour garçon (Paquet de 2) Urban Kids
Tall Triangle Bralette Cosabella
Battery for Logitech Headset G930 533-000018, F12440097, L-LY11 3.7V Li-ion 600m Cameron Sino
adidas Women's Tennis Y-Dress (Plus Size) adidas
Gurren Lagann – Yoko Littner Skull PVC Key Cap Great Eastern Entertainment
14k Yellow Gold 4mm Amethyst Heart Baby Ring Qgold
Brizo T66698-NK Levoir Sensori Volume Control Trim with Cross Handle – Luxe Nickel Brizo
Dragon Ball Super – Resurrection Freiza 1.25" Button Great Eastern Entertainment
Kendra Scott Grayson- Silver Platinum Drusy Kendra Scott
14k White Gold Passion Diamond Cross Pendant Qgold
LORDS OF AVALON SWORD OF DARKNESS #1 SKETCH VAR MARVEL COMICS
Rawlings Contour Composite Basketball 29.5 – Ohio Rawlings
Alternator Belt for Volvo Penta B18 B20 RO: 966891 950805 711mm Poseidon Marine
Craig Alan – Commissions Craig Alan
16-Pack ThePerfectWater VL2SB1 Polypropylene Sediment Filter Replacement Denali Pure
Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter (120ml) Mama Mio
DC Comics The Suicide Squad Characters Logo Black T-Shirt Flux Outfitters
» SAMPLE MAXForm Aluminum Foil Forms (100% off) Light Elegance
Ivory Multicolor Crochet Lightweight Sweater BIBI
Remo Pro Pack Ambassador Clear Fusion Pk Remo
BLACK SCIENCE (2013) #40 CVR B LAROSA IMAGE COMICS
Gel Cork Bike Handlebar Tape – Natural/Tan Salsa