THE PURPLE YAM IS COMMONLY CALLED UBE – IT’S A MUST IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN AND IT GROWS AS A VINE SO DOESN’T TAKE UP MUCH GROUND SPACE! AND THE CUTEST THING – IT GROWS LITTLE BULB POTATOES ALL OVER IT’S VINE – YOU CAN EAT THEM TOO OR SAVE THEM FOR PLANTING OR GIVE THEM TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS SO THEY CAN HAVE ONE TOO!

YOU WILL GET ONE POTATO PER PURCHASE. EACH POTATO CAN BE DIVIDED AND YOU SHOULD GET ABOUT 5-8 PLANTS OUT OF ONE POTATO.

Dioscorea alata, commonly known as purple yam, water yam, or ube, is a tuberous root vegetable that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.

Here’s a guide on growing, planting, harvesting, and its uses:

Common Names:
Purple yam
Water yam
Ube (commonly used in the Philippines)
Greater yam
Growing Dioscorea alata
Climate and Soil:
Climate: Prefers warm, tropical climates. In temperate climates give a bit of extra water.   It thrives in temperatures between 20°C to 30°C.
Soil: Grows best in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. It can tolerate slightly acidic to neutral soil but requires good drainage to avoid water logging.
Planting:

Seed Yams: Dioscorea alata is usually propagated using small tubers or sections of larger tubers (referred to as “seed yams”). Select healthy tubers, cutting them into pieces ensuring each piece has at least one eye or bud.

Planting Time: In Australia, plant yams at the beginning of the wet season in tropical areas, in temperate climates plant in late spring/early summer when the soil is warm.

Spacing: Plant the tuber pieces in holes about 10 cm deep, with a spacing of 1 metre between plants and 1.5 metres between rows to allow room for the vine to spread.

Support: As Dioscorea alata is a climbing vine, it requires support. You can use trellises, poles, or trees to allow the vines to grow vertically, which also helps in maximizing yield.

Wendy’s Advice:

This is how I do it. You need to make sure each piece has an eye, it looks like a bump or a hollow dip. If you are cutting them up you need to just leave them there a few days to cure the wound, make sure there is a fair bit of skin on one side. Now many put them in a solution of pesticides and let them soak in it for a few hours but I find the best way is to get some wood ash from your cooled fire from winter (or ask someone who has one) and add a little water, let it sit in there for a day, then put it in the heaped up soil. You first need to put the top of the potato upwards sitting on top of the pile with the cut side facing down. Just press it into the top of your hill. The potato will grow from the part that has the skin on it so you plant that with it to the light. Then wait until you see some green growing parts, then open the heaped soil and put the potato and green growth inside the soil – the top 1/3 of the hill, once again the cut side down. The potato will grow from the part that has the skin on it.

Care:
Watering: Regular watering is essential, especially during the dry season. However, avoid water logging as it can cause tuber rot.

Weeding: Keep the area around the plants free from weeds to reduce competition for nutrients.
Fertilisation: Apply a balanced fertiliser (e.g., NPK 10-10-10) every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Organic compost or well-rotted manure can also be added to enrich the soil.

Harvesting:
Timing: Yams are typically ready for harvest 8 to 10 months after planting, usually around late winter to early spring (June to August). The leaves will start to yellow and die back, indicating the tubers are ready to be harvested.

Harvesting: Carefully dig around the base of the plant to avoid damaging the tubers. Lift the tubers out of the ground, clean off excess soil, and allow them to dry in a shaded area before storing.

Medicinal Uses:
Anti-inflammatory: Dioscorea alata has been traditionally used in some cultures for its anti-inflammatory properties, particularly for treating ailments such as arthritis and joint pain.
Antioxidant: The purple pigments in the tubers are rich in anthocyanins, which have antioxidant properties and may help in reducing oxidative stress and supporting heart health.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Some studies suggest that consuming Dioscorea alata may help in regulating blood sugar levels, making it potentially beneficial for people with diabetes.

Cooking Uses:
Desserts: Dioscorea alata is popularly used in various desserts, especially in Southeast Asian cuisines. In Australia, you might find it used in ube halaya (a sweet jam), ice creams, and cakes.
Boiled or Roasted: The tubers can be boiled, steamed, or roasted and served as a side dish, much like potatoes.

Mashed: The yam can be mashed and used as a filling for pastries, or as a vibrant purple base for various dishes.

Savoury Dishes: It can be included in stews, curries, and soups for a unique flavour and colour.

Purple Yam can take over a fence or wall, harvest regularly to prevent movement in the garden.

Picture of Air Bulb on Dioscorea Alata by Aruna at Malayalam Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons