Diamond Yam: How, Where and When to Plant It? [Steps + Images]

The diamond yam is a variety of the yam very resistant to anthracnose «target =» _ blank «rel =» noopener noreferrer «> anthracnose.

It was cultivated mainly to combat the problems caused by this disease and that affected the Creole yam crops , generating quite significant losses in the crops.

Diamond yam became a cheaper option . However, one of its most well-known disadvantages is that it lacks the particular flavor that Creole yam or hawthorn yam has. This makes it used more to produce flours or starches.

It is a type of tuber, like potato or ginger .

What do we need to plant diamond yams?

When should it be sown?

It is recommended to sow between  April and June. 

Where do we plant the diamond yam? Temperature and brightness

It is a tropical plant that thrives in heat, and does not resist frost.

Demands  8 hours of direct sunlight .

The ideal temperature is between 25 and 30 ° C constant.

How often should it be watered?

It requires constant humidity, but care must be taken that the soil has good drainage to avoid root suffocation .

 It is recommended to water every three days to keep the earth moist. During the hottest times it can be watered daily.

How do we prepare the land?

The ideal soil should be loamy and sandy, with good drainage, ventilation, and sufficient organic matter.

It does not grow well in clay or compact soils.

 The optimal pH ranges between 5.5 and 6.5. 

How to plant diamond yam step by step

Acquire a rhizome of diamond variety yam

To grow diamond yams, you only need to make a cut of the root of a plant . This can be easily purchased at horticultural stores , nurseries, or seed stores .

Clear the ground

It removes weeds and debris from previous crops and all kinds of residues to ensure that your yam receives the right amount of nutrients.

Prepare the land

Fertilize the soil with plenty of compost . Dampen the soil before planting  diamond yams to improve the quality of the substrate .

If you plant in a pot, it is best to fill it with one part compost and three parts organic soil.

Dip the rhizomes of diamond yam into the soil

Bury each piece horizontally at a depth between 3 and 7 cm , ensuring that the part where the cuts were made are facing upwards and the shell facing downwards.

Then cover them with soil or compost.

Water the field

Make sure to wet the soil with  plenty of water, but avoiding waterlogging .

Check the soil every day and water to keep the soil moist.

Be patient

The yam will germinate between 20 and 25 days after planting.

You will be able to see the first stems at about 5 weeks. Thus begins the stage of latency, which lasts between 3 and 4 months . This stage is characterized by the fact that the stem dries up and acquires a brownish hue, but apart from that, it does not seem to experience any other visible external changes.

How to collect diamond yams

The diamond yam will be ready for consumption approximately  at 6 months after being sown . The period coincides with the drying of the liana and because the aerial parts begin to wither.

Cut the rhizomes with a sanitized knife. After you’ve finished cutting , put the rhizomes back in the soil.

Pests and diseases of diamond yam

The diamond variety is usually more resistant to diseases and pests . However, it can be affected by some pests, like the Creole variety, mainly nematodes.

To control them, we can plant garlic cloves as a repellent. It is also important to have a crop rotation and fertilize our soil.