[allotment south wales]

remember to use slug pellets or nemaslug control on planting      

last year due to my own fault    trying to keep everything organic above the ground the plant was great in the polytunnel -  upon digging them up i had 20% of the crop the slugs had the rest...

[VegGirl7]

I have a few wispy bits of root and what looks like the start of more robust ones below the water line...
and above it there are a few, very small (1-2mm), purplish bumpy bits emerging, kinda like the beginnings of 'eye sprouts' on a normal potato... could these be shoots starting  I hope so

[Trillium]

Sounds like eye sprouts; these are what you really want because when they're large enough, you'll twist them off and pot them up, then plant them out.

[Emmie]

I am a little confused about my sweet potatoe as I started it off int he middle of December and have had no roots appear however I have a dozen purple sprouts from the top. Over the last few weeks they do not seem to be getting any bigger however they still look healthy, I have changed the water each week and was wondering if adding some liquid plant food to the water (like miracle gro) may help. 

[Trillium]

No, don't add any fertilizers. The potato itself is the plant's food source.

Sometimes the top sprouts come out first, though not usually. Consider yourself lucky and be patient. You can't speed this up as the tuber is bypassing the base root portion and needs time to compensate. Three's still plenty of time for the top growth.

[JayG]

Still got most of last year's "crop" in a plastic bag in the bottom of my "glory hole" cupboard, although they look to be in remarkably good condition.

That probably says a lot about how much I enjoy (skinny) sweet potatoes, but then again I wouldn't have to buy another one to start again...........

Grew them in a couple of bags of old compost (with added PCM and Growmore) last year so might just try 1 bag this year to see if I can get them to a bigger size.  

Decided to have another go with one of last year's tubers and although it only seems to have produced two shoots they have romped away and are nearly a foot long now! 

This is way too early given that I wouldn't even consider putting them in the greenhouse for another 2 months - will have to pot them up soon and if all goes well will try to give away the spare in the Swap Shop (will obviously have to be someone in my area who can collect.)

[brianthomas]

hello folks
  this is my first time on the blog as I am new to the forum
have been reading last years ancers to the task of growing sweet potatoes
I have had a garden /allotment for 20 years + but never tried sweet pots.
I am in the vale of york is there anybody around here that has had any successwith growing them any advice would be welcome  thanks bt
                                                                                

[Trillium]

I don't live in the UK so can't help you there, but I do know that in the UK you'll need a warm sheltered spot with 4 months of heat to do well with sweet potatoes. They're a bit slow and are almost a tropical plant.

I highly recommend dedicating a small hooped area or covered cold frame not in use to grow them in. They need lots of heat units to grow as well as enriched soil and some regular watering if under a shelter. A greenhouse will work nicely but few people have the space to spare for the S.P. which spreads a thick mat of vine-like tops.

[Geordie]

I think we have lift off..... 

[brianthomas]

thanks trillian , what are your thoughts on making a hot pit/trench full of rubbish.
 Idid this a few years ago with cellery , that will warm the soil and a closh polly tunnel on top ---suckcess? or the dreams of an aging gardener  bt

[Trillium]

A hot pit would be ideal, especially if you can cover it most of the time to contain the heat. Sweet potatoes love heat in the 90's and 100's F.

[Auntiemogs]

I had to have words with mine today...nearly two months on a south-facing windowsill and nowt.    I've given it two weeks and then it's in the oven! 

[Trillium]

 

They can be very slow, auntiemogs. My new potato last year took almost 3 months to sprout, probably from growth inhibiting stuff.

[RobertSongs]

I started two one has lots of roots coming through and the other one is doing next to nothing..both were from the same packet bought from morrisons..

[Lady Rosemary]

YAY!  I have roots on two of the three I started off .... need to change the water however as I think that may help them along a little better.  One of the three (the one that isn't doing anything at all) has a water beard at the base .... lol.  Guess I need to give that little chap a shower when I get home!

'Tis very very exciting indeed!