Growing Yam/Oca, also Oka

03 Oct 18 cheryl (New Zealand - temperate climate): Hi I grew my yams in big bucket & deep wheel barrow but after harvest 50% went rotten< I left them out to cure in the sun under a roof covered @ night, I v been doing this for years with no problems, Why?? Second problem is I can "t grow parsnips I v tried pouring hot water over rows after planting, the board trick, no luck at all. I live in Southland but don"t hold that against me.
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08 Oct 18 Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): Too much water probably or maybe some water lying in the top of the plant where it joins the yam - I had this problem with long white radish (Daikin or Japanese radish) in SE Qld this winter. Parsnips - read the notes here - attention to soil type, time to plant and most important keep the soil damp - water 2-3 times a day if hot.. I use a piece of shade cloth over my small seeds until they have germinated and grown a bit. If you have some spare timber make a little structure to nail/clip the shade cloth to. I have 2m x 2m frames that I have bird netting and vegie netting on to keep out birds and bugs. I put the shade cloth over them.
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