Queensland potatoes

amanda says...
Diana - it's always good to "nag" your local suppliers..they are in the "game" to make money after all...? And if the smaller suppliers can supply a niche that the big suppliers can't/won't...they will go for it :)

We have had the same problem here...most of WA is is held to ransom over the Perth planting times etc ...can u imagine that??? From Albany in the South - way up to Kununurra in the north....an entire North/South span of Aust, of 1000's of kms and climate zones...? (and quarantine reg's prohibit any spud imports except from Tassie...so u have lots of competition for their seed spuds!?)

But - our local Bunnings and rural suppliers are now getting in seed potatoe much earlier...because we are all whinging basically!? :D

I have a great relationship with my Bunnings guy - who is the go-between for the bulk nursery supplier and our Bunnos store...he actually works for the supplier -and only on Wed and Thurs when the stock comes in...
I wonder if it's the same for other Bunno's stores..?

Not to brag or anything at all...it just makes sense for a gardener? He actually got the supplier to grow heirloom tomatoe seedlings for us, in Geraldton, over winter...when they are not growing them for Perth....it was a BIG win for us!

(but yes - you can have a go with the organic ones...I have - the only one that I have had problems with so far has been Royal Blue...From the F&V shop I have grown many types, myself..?)

snottiegobble says...
Diana, Royal Blues are delicious spuds, but very low in harvest production compared to some other potato varieties.
Surely where you are you can source Desiree, Pontiac or Kennebec ??

trikus says...
Some tropical tubers that rival spuds in taste . Grow well in the tropics .
Tannia , Yautia , Malanaga and Coco Yam are some common names for edible offset tubers of Xanthosoma .

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1	Picture: 2

trikus says...
Yes Mike , faster to produce than taro , and favoured by some people for better flavour . Much confusion re. names as expert in Brazil has advised what was though of as Xanthosoam sagittifolia is most likely X robustum . If you google enough can even find refrence to robustum being toxic !
This is not so , I have been eating tubers of these for many years .

snottiegobble says...
Diana, yes I think cold storage must affect their taste, & and anyway its always more exciting to dig your own isnt it? Must admit though after growing sweet potatoes for the first time & having such 'enormous' success with huge tubers still retaining excellent taste I am more inclined towards growing them, certainly in the hot months anyway!

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1

amanda says...
Awesome SG!! I am going to have see if I can top that now!! (looks like a curry leaf tree, by your bicep there..?)

Mike says...
The curry tree has form like a couple of other species.I prefer cooked paw paw when a bit of colour sweetens it and it is just dished up like other roasted vegies.It is supposed to be very good for you and maybe the papain helps digestion.Ripe ones can tenderise meat and the seeds were used in WW2 as a pepper substitute.White fleshed is better for paw paw salad.

snottiegobble says...
Diana, I guess its a case of "the grass is always greener" cos we love the tropical fruits & vegies, but cant really grow them & visa versa. However it is increasingly apparent that many tropical botanicals may have the answer to many ailments including cancers! We as humans are slowly reaching the stage where we eat not just to satisfy our appetite, but to guarantee us a reasonable lifespan! It seems that you have all that in your backyard so go for it!

JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Hi Mike,
You remind me to harvest my sweet potatos too. I hope I will get some but not sure if they are not ready because the vines are still growing and also the soil is so dry.

I could see my lesser yam rhizome on the surface of the soil but I think I will wait for the vine to turn yellow first.

I use bac ha stalk for stir fry and sweet and sour soup but the preparation takes time because apart from peeling, wash with salt is another thing before it can be cooked.

JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Lucky you Mike. Not a drop of rain for the last 3 weeks on my end and it will stay that way for a while.
Is your lesser yam purple inside?. I think mine is white inside. I was looking for the purple one but could not find any.

Mike says...
Lucy it was white inside and I think all lesser yams (D.esculenta) are.The water yam (D.alata) is purple inside and I have not tasted those yet.Water yams are rounder with rougher skin and lesser yams are kinda egg shaped.