Kumara
A long hot growing season is important for growing kumara. They need about 6 months of growing time and light fertile soil.
Reading the history pages listed below Maori used a variety of methods to achieve a long growing season including, growing on north facing slopes, mounding soil to make warm mounds, adding sand to the soil and using rocks where kumara are growing to store heat. Some of these techniques can still be used today in particular situations.
The images above show a representation of kumara growing by Maori and an aerial view of kumara pits on the side of a hill.
To grow kumara choose the best kumara you can find in September. Bury them in a moist light soil, maybe with a little sand as well, and keep in a warm place until the shoots appear. Hopefully 7 - 14 shoots. When they have formed rootlets at the base of each shoot carefully remove them from the original kumara.
Planting these shoots directly outside is possible in rally warm areas otherwise pot them up and get them growing in sheltered warm places and keep watered. It might be wise to ass some river sand to the potting mix to keep it open, warm and well drained.
When plating outside in the garden these tipu (shoots) should be planted on mounds or mounded rows in the traditional way with roots facing east. Water to get them growing as fast as possible but do not over water. Over watering may drown the roots or cause massive leafy growth with little underneath. During the season mound up the soils around the original tipu n a similar you would mound potatoes.
If the shoots get too long then shorten them back by about one third and lift the stems to prevent the development of rootlets. All the energy needs to back to the original plant to develop larger kumara. Natural ways of providing extra warmth is desirable such as rocks and rock walls, wind shelter etc. In the last two months of growing the tubers really fatten up nicely. In some areas a cloche cover may also help.
When it looks like your first frost is arriving lift the tubers and place in a warm dry sunny area to harden for about a week. Sort out any damaged ones to eat first because they will not keep. Treat the rest very gently as not to damage them and place in storage in a col dark dry place with an even temperature.
Reading the history pages listed below Maori used a variety of methods to achieve a long growing season including, growing on north facing slopes, mounding soil to make warm mounds, adding sand to the soil and using rocks where kumara are growing to store heat. Some of these techniques can still be used today in particular situations.
The images above show a representation of kumara growing by Maori and an aerial view of kumara pits on the side of a hill.
To grow kumara choose the best kumara you can find in September. Bury them in a moist light soil, maybe with a little sand as well, and keep in a warm place until the shoots appear. Hopefully 7 - 14 shoots. When they have formed rootlets at the base of each shoot carefully remove them from the original kumara.
Planting these shoots directly outside is possible in rally warm areas otherwise pot them up and get them growing in sheltered warm places and keep watered. It might be wise to ass some river sand to the potting mix to keep it open, warm and well drained.
When plating outside in the garden these tipu (shoots) should be planted on mounds or mounded rows in the traditional way with roots facing east. Water to get them growing as fast as possible but do not over water. Over watering may drown the roots or cause massive leafy growth with little underneath. During the season mound up the soils around the original tipu n a similar you would mound potatoes.
If the shoots get too long then shorten them back by about one third and lift the stems to prevent the development of rootlets. All the energy needs to back to the original plant to develop larger kumara. Natural ways of providing extra warmth is desirable such as rocks and rock walls, wind shelter etc. In the last two months of growing the tubers really fatten up nicely. In some areas a cloche cover may also help.
When it looks like your first frost is arriving lift the tubers and place in a warm dry sunny area to harden for about a week. Sort out any damaged ones to eat first because they will not keep. Treat the rest very gently as not to damage them and place in storage in a col dark dry place with an even temperature.