JICAMA ALSO CALLED YAM BEAN, A POTATO THAT HAS NO CALORIES OR FAT!!! REALLY TASTY! EAT THEM, MAKE INSECTICIDE AND EVEN STUN FISH SO THEY RISE TO THE TOP OF THE WATER! THESE ARE SIMPLY AMAZING AS A TALKING POINT AND A VEGETABLE!

These are Jicama – they are also known as Mexican tuber, and Yam Bean. Jicama (pronounced HEE-ca-ma) is a tuber vegetable that is a member of the potato family. It is grown in Latin America, typically in Mexico and Central America, and is a popular main food in these regions.

Jicama is also known by other names that include the following: the Mexican potato, Mexican yam bean, ahipa, saa got, Chinese turnip, lo bok, and the Chinese potato. Extremely nutritious because it contains a high amount of vitamin C, is low in sodium, and has very few calories and very little fat! It is considered a great food for diabetics!

The stems and seeds of the jicama plant contain a naturally occurring compound that is used as an insecticide and to stun or kill fish. In many countries they do this to get the fish to rise to the surface for easy catching!

The toxins don’t stay in the fish so that’s the way they catch them in muddy waters! The compound, called rotenone, is toxic so don’t eat leaves or stems. Don’t plant Jicama near to water as it can harm fish.

SEEDS ARE VERY LARGE, EASY TO SEE AND HANDLE.

Grow Notes
Prefers full, in moist, well-draining soil.

Sow
Sow direct in Spring, planting at 5mm depth with 20cm spacing between plants and 90cm between rows.

Place the pots in a warm but shaded position.

Keep soil moist, not wet.

Germination
3-21 days at 21-29°C
Maturity
150-200 days