Author Topic: WANTED: Yam Beans (Sphenostylis, Pachyrhizus spp.) - Ahipa, Goitenyo, etc.  (Read 3285 times)

Caesar

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Hi all. I'm on a root crop kick at the moment, and am now working my way through the leguminous ones. I'm not looking for every obscure species just yet, but there are a few hard-to-find ones that I'd like to get my hands on now. I'm currently growing Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), and I have a source for American Groundnuts (Apios Americana). As for what I want...

I'm looking for seeds of the African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa). Similar to Pachyrhizus, it has crunchy tubers, but unlike its relatives, it allegedly has edible leaves and seeds. It's apparently a variable species, with different landraces having different traits in their roots and seeds; I'd like to obtain several, if possible. Link: https://www.nap.edu/read/11763/chapter/20#328

I have Jícama seeds (Pachyrhizus erosus) so I'm not looking for it, but I am looking for two relatives: Ahipa (P. ahipa) and Goitenyo (P. tuberosus). Ahipa appeals to me for its short non-vining growth, and the fact that it's adaptable. Like Jícama, it has toxic seeds and leaves (Rotenone). Goitenyo appeals even more to me, and is a higher priority (as well as seeming harder to find) because like Sphenostylis, it allegedly has edible leaves and seeds.

If anyone has any of these three, I'd like to buy them. And better yet, if they have direct experience with them and can confirm the edibility of seeds & foliage of Sphenostylis and Goitenyo, that would be appreciated.

Caesar

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While not currently in stock, I found a source for Ahipa (along with Mauka, Mashua, Oca, Ulluco, Yacón and a few other goodies). - https://www.cultivariable.com

That still leaves Goitenyo and Sphenostylis, so any leads would be appreciated.

qwertzuiop

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Regarding ahipa, an alternative source would be: http://sacredsucculents.com/andean-tuber-crops/ (though prices are quite steeper than for Caesar's source; hopefully it becomes available there soon again, they have a lot of nice things).

Caesar

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I failed twice at germinating the Winged Beans, I think my seeds might be dead (they were poorly stored and several years old). I just put my last batch in the ground, here's hoping they hatch. I failed once with the Jícama seeds, drowned before they ever met the soil. This time, I only gave half of them a soak, and only for a couple of hours, so I hope to get them growing.

From Cultivariable, I pre-ordered some TPS (true potato seeds) and some Oca tubers to trial next year. I've ordered from Sacred Succulents before and they do have a great selection. I'd like to get Achira from them when I get the chance, and they also have the edible-hipped Rosa roxburghii, which I need for a hybrid experiment.

Anyone got any leads on the title species from my first post? While I'm at it, I'm also looking for Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica), but I may end up giving it its own post. Link here: http://radix4roots.blogspot.com/2012/12/anchote-out-of-africa.html?m=1

pineislander

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This was a good source for winged bean seeds, they germinated well and are up 3-4 feet. I seeded direct.
Winged bean can be long-day short day or day neutral. She sells day neutral but they tend to flower better as days become shorter in northern hemisphere fall.
https://www.asiangarden2table.com/product/winged-bean/

This video shows how she grows in Florida. She did quite a bit of careful pruning to focus growth on flowering instead of vine growth which resulted in more fruiting lower on the vines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEFsQtxzx2M

Caesar

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This was a good source for winged bean seeds, they germinated well and are up 3-4 feet. I seeded direct.
Winged bean can be long-day short day or day neutral. She sells day neutral but they tend to flower better as days become shorter in northern hemisphere fall.
https://www.asiangarden2table.com/product/winged-bean/

This video shows how she grows in Florida. She did quite a bit of careful pruning to focus growth on flowering instead of vine growth which resulted in more fruiting lower on the vines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEFsQtxzx2M

I'll have to go for those seeds, 'cause mine aren't sprouting. Mine were left over from the last time I grew them a few years ago. It was a measly vine that only gave one pod, growing in very poor soil and semi-shade. I was hoping to have better results now that I had the totes and trellis up and running. All in good time.

And her vine looks amazing! Way more vigorous and productive than mine. Can't wait to give it another go, though there's one thing that confused me last time. I tried to boil the root, but it stayed hard and tough the whole time (and I ended up burning it later by not paying attention). Any ideas why or if it's supposed to be normal?