Wild with Wild Spinach (Afang).

Introduction

Wild spinach, Afang, Ukazi, Okazi, Gentum Africanum....so many name's huh?

Afang soup which is made from Afang leaves is one of the best soups we have in Africa. It's also known as Ukazi or Okazi by the Igbos, other countries have their own name for it.

However it's English name is Wild Spinach, with a scientific name Gentum Africanum.

It is a very popular cusine in Western Africa. Infact in my state, If one doesn't know of Afang soup he's foreigner who just arrived that morning. @usoro01, can verify this claims and a look at popular eateries menu and local bars sign posts will confirm my claims.

However the point is that many knows how to eat afang soup properly, some are experts in the preparation, various steemians such as @yhudy are versatile with its preparation. However, a measly 2 out of every 10 persons knows how Afang is cultivated.

Afang Cultivation

In some parts of Africa like Cameroon, Afang grows like weeds in a forest. However as civilisation begins to set in, there's a very special need to cultivate it.

In many rural villages, were it is cultivated a sight of a long pole erected vertically to the ground with ropes linked to the afang is a very usual scene.

Long Poles With Ropes? Check, It's a wild spinach plantation.

Before we can cultivate it's necessary to know the nature of the plant.

Afang(ukazi)/Wild spinach is a creeping plant which has broad leaves which vary in width depending on the species. It is planted using special part of its roots and is planted in a very very unique way, which I'll discuss in another post. Since it is a creeping plant it needs stakes to grow on.

Wild spinach is definitely not a tree nor a shrub, it crawls on stakes 😌😆

Long bamboos and tree trunks are often used. However, I discovered that letting your wild spinach grow on some tree trunks especially that of the citrus species like orange or lime makes the Afang taste bitter when it is being cooked. So the bamboo is very preferable.

In recent years, bamboo are getting scarce and more expensive, so welded iron poles with loops at the top for ropes are now being used. This is long lasting but very expensive.

Afang blooms the most during dry season and this can be confirmed by its many tendrils and new yellow leaves. The leaves at the bottom part get greener which signifies it is ripe for harvesting. Harvesting Afang leaves is also another special case which I'll deal with later.

So now let's deal with its cultivation;

A suitable well drained plot of land is required, the Afang is planted using a special method. It is then tended by staking which is my concern today.

Staking the wild spinach traditionally requires skill hardwork and time. Some materials needed include:

• Strong and long bamboo stalks, well any long and strong material would do. But it must be able to withstand air pressure and wind. The better the quality the longer your staking would last.

• Ropes/twines

the bamboo should be strong enough and the rope is appropriate, don't you think so?🤔

Other miscellaneous items are; Knife, machete, spade.

Staking Process

Dig a hole deep enough to hold your stake without it shaking too much. 1ft is ideal.

tie the ropes both ends; looks like a home made guitar right?

Tie ropes on both ends of the bamboo as shown in the picture above, the number of ropes ultimately tied depends on the number of shoots .

Lift the stake then put it inside the previously dug hole.

tie the ropes to the stalk or support and the shoots to the rope. Simple isn't it?

Loosen the ropes at the bottom and tie them gently to the afang stalk, while gently wrapping the new shoots around the rope.

Wild spinach growing wildly; I had to make a bed and place it on top, letting the new shoots ascend

If the afang stalk is bulky like in that of the picture, it might be necessary to create supports for it using Y like sticks four cornered wooden beds.

Seal the hole with sand and pebbles.

watch your wild spinach grow wild

Watch your wild spinach bloom and enjoy your harvest in the next 3 months

I hope you learnt a lot.
I'll be back with another series soon,
But for now, the sun is set and it's time to rest.

I love y'all
Adiós

Here's my Achievement 1: Verification through introduction

Specially dedicated to our Mommy's,
hope y'all find this useful.

Cc,
@ngoenyi
@mesola
@bossj23