Papalisa ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus) has Anybody grown this before looks good I am thinking of buying some tubers so any info would be brill.
This is a new one to me, so I have researched it :
Papalisa/Ulluco/Ullucus tuberosus | Zoom's Edible Plants
zoom50.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/papalisaullucoullucus-tuberosus/
27 Feb 2012 - Holluco is a traditional staple food crop grown northern Argentina to Venezuela at elevations between 2400 and 4200 metres.
Now thats going to be some raised bed!
Beautiful tubers, but a problematic crop. It is prone to its own viruses which I suspect often arrive with the seed tubers, and can be killed by frost before it has time to tuberise, due to its day length sensitivity. Even I, a martyr to unusual crops, have given up on this one. If you do want to grow it, I'd say it is critical to get seed stock from a reliable source to minimise the chance of viruses, and plan for frost protection in the autumn to keep them going during the critical period of tuber formation. Also they need moisture retentive soil to do well, and dislike very hot sunny weather in summer, so consider providing some shade. Well worth a try, but if it is food you are after, look to other crops.
I've posted in the past about them:
http://oca-testbed.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/unimpressive-ulluco-harvest.html (http://oca-testbed.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/unimpressive-ulluco-harvest.html)
http://oca-testbed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/ulluco-its-how-you-sell-it.html (http://oca-testbed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/ulluco-its-how-you-sell-it.html)
http://oca-testbed.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/minor-root-crops-as-ground-cover-in.html (http://oca-testbed.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/minor-root-crops-as-ground-cover-in.html)
I like it but am down to just a few tubers. I think Ian sums it up well :happy7:
Lot's of information on this blog http://wettingthebeds.cultivariable.com/search/label/ulluco%20%28Ullucus%20tuberosus%29