James Wong Achocha

[Finley]

I've just bought these seeds on the basis of his article today (can't work out how to paste a link on my tablet sorry - Google James Wong Acocha the guardian) - they look pretty interesting and I'd be keen to know if anyone has grown them? I also bought some quinquilla seed in the hope they'll be easier than coriander!

[veggiechicken]

Lots of threads about them - here's one http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...cha_86714.html
I take anything that James Wong says with a pinch of salt though

This is the article https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...-little-cousin

[Finley]

Ah great thanks - I normally search first sorry!

[veggiechicken]

No problem - you'll find them called Achocha here! The Graundian has worked its magic again

[sparrow100]

I grow them most years (there are seeds in the VSP here if anyone's interested...) and 3-4 plants will give me huge amounts of achocha growing outside & scrambling up the shed from late-July/August till the first frosts.

[Finley]

That sounds pretty good I just installed a trellis on the shed for them today! Now about the quinquilla... Anybody grown that? I've done a site search, promise!

[Baldy]

I get mine from Sparrow - thanks muchly - easy (for most) to save the seeds I'm just chaotic. I like 'em a lot - scrabble over things and taste great. Im gonna save some seed this year I promise. Definitely worth a go. Not too hard to do and give adecent crop IMNSHO

[happyhumph]

I've got some for the first time this year, looking forward to them. Just trying to work out where to put them.......

[sparrow100]

There is this from Real Seeds on FB:

Real Seeds Webshop is Temporarily Closed . . . but there's nothing wrong! Just that following James Wong's article about our Achocha in The Guardian, we have been slightly overwhelmed by orders.
The shopping cart is turned off for a couple of days while we catch up with orders and send them all out; you should be able to order more seeds again later this week. Thanks!

The Grauniad effect! The man from Thomas Etty said to me today the day the Telegraph had an interview with Vicki Cooke on growing veg in Hampton Court's kitchen garden they had 160 orders for skirret...

[Mrs Bee]

Have to say I run a mile when james Wong's name is mentioned. I tried a load of stuff he recommended and bought his book.

Book went to the charity shop and I was less than impressed with the stuff I grew/tried to grow.

Sparrow, do you remember me buying that currant bush when we were at Ally Pally grow your own show. Supposed to give golden currants that have a taste like mango. Still haven't had a single ruddy currant!!!!! So I haven't bothered taking any cuttings for you.

[Finley]

He does seem to have mixed reviews! I've only tried the cucamelons of his recommendations so far and liked those (got his books from the library so he hasn't wasted my money yet)

[CurlyGreen]

I have grown Quinquilla for the last few years, it ia definitely easier than coriander. Plant out somewhere after the last frosts, maybe in the corner of your greenhouse though it will grow outside too. It will go to seed but not for ages. It has floaty dandylion type seed. Save and plant next year. Very easy. I don't use it that often but nice in salsas and chillis.

Achocha are quite easy too, funny little things. Easy to save seed from. If they do well they will go rampant and as other posters have mentioned may scabble all over the place.

[happyhumph]

I think James Wong has made his name promoting the 'weird and unusual'. The problem with that is while some stuff not widely grown is definitely worth growing e.g. huauazontle, winter radish etc, other stuff really is just a novelty and either doesn't grow well enough in our climate to make it worth while, or is 'edible' in the 'it's not going to hurt you' sense but not in the 'tastes great and crops well' sense.

[sparrow100]

I think James Wong has made his name promoting the 'weird and unusual'. The problem with that is while some stuff not widely grown is definitely worth growing e.g. huauazontle, winter radish etc, other stuff really is just a novelty and either doesn't grow well enough in our climate to make it worth while, or is 'edible' in the 'it's not going to hurt you' sense but not in the 'tastes great and crops well' sense.

Yes! Stevia. Grows well. Tastes very sweet. Fails to mention revolting aftertaste.

[Finley]

Ha all true! Some of the stuff he suggests doesn't really sound worth it but by picking and choosing there are some good ones. I'll be looking up the huauazontle.. thanks all!