Topic: Kumara

[Mimi]

As some of you may know my youngest daughter has just returned from New Zealand.  She wants to know if we can grow Kumara in this country.  It is apparently a type of sweet potato, that she has got to love eating while out there. Has anyone out there heard of this, or can they give me any ideas how I can find out about it? Also has anyone heard of Scalapini.  It is a type of squash that is about the size of a squashed lemon and is yellow?  

[Multiveg]

It is possible to grow sweet potatoes in the UK. Not sure of details... Have heard of that scalapini type squash thing as well  ;D

[Ceri]

I've got a copy of the 'how to grow sweet potatoes' article from The Kitchen Garden if you want a copy - just pm me your e-mail addy if you want it

[kingkano]

Sweet pots can be grown here, only recently appeared from the seed companies, needs a quite long season (doesnt everything now!!).  They arent sold as tubers or seeds but as roots I seem to recall (imagine rubarb or asparagus).  Probably only a few varieties available.

The squashes I havent seen over here much (I am from OZ originally) but they are popular in america and oz. They are also known as 'pattypan' squashes.  I know vidaverde (add a .co.uk) does sell them, and you can prolly find them among other seed catalogues that do the less than popular stuff.

Hope that helps.

ken

[philcooper]

Have a look at http://www.kumara.co.nz/about.shtml

A friend grew sweet potatoes in a polytunnel from slips she produced herself from super market potatoes (the slips bought from a seed firm failed completely) last year in N Hampshire and only had limited success only very small tubers were produced

Phil