Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing FAQs and other Information => Topic started by: aelf on January 19, 2010, 14:35

Title: The Great sweet potato experiment! 2010
Post by: aelf on January 19, 2010, 14:35
started this today:

I have on my window cill a pyrex dish full of water with two shop-bought sweet potato tubers floating in it. The plan (following advice from this very forum!) is to leave them there for 2-3 weeks until they start to sprout, then cut off the sprouting plants and pot them on. Then transplant them into potato grow bags in the greenhouse and see if I get a crop in the summer.

Anyone else want to play? We could see who gets the biggest yeilds?!  :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Beetroot queen on January 19, 2010, 14:39
I think I may have a go, would love to grow some. :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: noshed on January 19, 2010, 14:45
I might have another go this year, I was quite pleased last year. But I ate them all - didn't keep any for this year!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on January 19, 2010, 15:40
Aelf, I don't know that you want the tubers floating in the water. Normally a pointed end with the least amount of nodes is suspended in a jar/cup/whatever of water, often held up with 3 toothpicks inserted around the centre at the vertical halfway point. This allows the top half to stay out of water to put out sprouts, otherwise the tubers could flip, become slimey and give you no sprouts at all.

Here are some good pix to give you the idea:

http://grandbobsgarden.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-grow-beautiful-sweet-potato-vine.html

And count me in as I have 2 potatoes with loads of sprouts ready for pinching off. BTW, a sprouted tuber will keep sprouting 3-5 years if kept moist at the bottom.   

Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on January 19, 2010, 16:43
Thanks Trillium, I will amend the plan to suit! I can already taste those lovely sweet potatoes, straight off the BBQ mmmmmmmmm!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: madcat on January 19, 2010, 18:33
Do you have to have a greenhouse to grow them in England?  I would love to try but the warmest place I have is a large coldframe.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on January 19, 2010, 19:01
I'll play  :D

Do you have a link to the info on this site pls?

I'll pick up my sweet pots on Thursday.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on January 19, 2010, 19:12
Do you have to have a greenhouse to grow them in England?  I would love to try but the warmest place I have is a large coldframe.

They do need warmth to grow well so inside a large coldframe will work or if you have raised beds, use hoops and poly to make a small polytunnel for them. That or a sheltered sunny spot in your garden/plot. They sulk if they get too cold or shady. A friend who grows veg in a part shade garden here cannot grow sweet potatoes as they need full sun.

Cazzy, what link were you referring to? the potato pix? That's all the fellow has is the start up pix. Once there are some reasonable sized sprouts growing on the potato, you gently grasp the single sprout unit at the base and gently twist it off the main spud. That, or pinch a tiny bit of spud off with the top growth. Put these in their own small jar of fresh water and wait until they sprout. Once they're rooting, pot them up and keep them warm until you can harden them off before going outside.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: mumofstig on January 19, 2010, 20:09
Stop it stop it :ohmy: you are making me want to try growing them ::) :lol: :lol:

(and I've already got too much planned) :blush:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on January 19, 2010, 21:15
Thanks Trillium.  That sounds easy enough.

Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: jazzbyrd on January 20, 2010, 14:18
I want to try too have to go and buy a sweet potato first!!

Jazz
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on January 24, 2010, 00:55
Thought I'd mention this now so all the 'competitors' will know because I'm sure I'll forget later.

Sweet potatoes are extremely sensitive to cool weather so I suspect most UKrs will have to grow them in cold frames, under cloches, mini polytunnels or whatever for most of the season. They need anywhere from 100 to 120 days to mature from planting out, and protective covers to conserve heat around the plants  will probably be needed towards the end. Sweet potatoes are reasonably drought tolerant but good sized potatoes come from regular watering and they must be kept weed free all season. Black plastic on the soil is a good choice.

Harvest before frost because cool soil temperatures can reduce the quality and storage capacity of the sweet potatoes. When harvesting, it is best to cut and remove the vines before digging.

Be careful while digging the sweet potatoes, as they will skin very easily. Also avoid rough handling as the sweet potatoes are easily bruised.

Once harvested, sweet potatoes should be cured to heal wounds and to convert some of the starch in the roots to sugar. The optimal conditions for curing are to expose the roots to 85 ̊F and 90-percent humidity for one week. Few home gardeners can supply these conditions, so place the sweet potatoes in the warmest room in the house, usually the kitchen, for 14 days. No curing will occur at temperatures below 70 ̊F. When sweet potatoes are put into storage, they must stay no lower than 50F or the sugars will revert to starches (permanently). Fridges are death to storing sweet potatoes.

Good luck to everyone.
 
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: mumofstig on January 24, 2010, 10:46
Quote
expose the roots to 85 ̊F and 90-percent humidity for one week. Few home gardeners can supply these conditions, so place the sweet potatoes in the warmest room in the house, usually the kitchen, for 14 days. No curing will occur at temperatures below 70 ̊F.

Not much chance of us getting those temperatures Trillium, makes me wonder if they are even worth trying   ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on January 24, 2010, 16:35
The suggestions for warmth are keeping them close to a furnace, a woodstove that's in use, top of a fridge if you haven't that many potatoes, the kitchen stove, etc. As for humidity, they can sit in a closed poly bag with some gravel at the bottom and a bit of water; the gravel so the potatoes don't sit directly on the water. True, its a bit of a fiddle but trust me, organic sweet potatoes are so much superior to most shop potatoes that its worth the extra effort.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on January 25, 2010, 19:44
Suspended my sweet potato in water on Thursday, i'm thinking my kitchen window cill might be too cold though.

Any advice on how deep the container will need to be for final planting?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: birmancats on January 25, 2010, 19:59
Ooo - I'm up for a challenge.  Will get a sweet potato at the weekend.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on January 25, 2010, 20:47
Cazzy, if you're growing yours in a container, you'd need one at least 2 ft deep as the tubers can be long and usually point downward rather than splayed in every direction. If you hope to plant several in one container, it might be a squeeze.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on January 26, 2010, 09:24
Thanks for all the advice Trillium  :)

I'm checking mine for shoots every day but nothing so far (I know, it's only been a week  :nowink: !) I plan on growing two plants in sacks that are 18 x 18in and 24in high in my greenhouse. By my reckoning, we should have crops sometime in July/August all being well.

Fingers still crossed!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: stompy on January 26, 2010, 09:40
Well, im in too.
I've got an old dustbin to use, i'll put it in the greenhouse and give it a try.
We love them and they are quite expensive.
Cocktail stics to the ready  :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Lewjam on January 26, 2010, 12:43
do you treat sweets in the same way as normal pots in terms of earthing up?

I might have a go in a bucket or two under a cold frame - should i start at the bottom and earth up?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on January 26, 2010, 14:56
do you treat sweets in the same way as normal pots in terms of earthing up?

Most definitely NOT! The 'potato' in the name is a misnomer. Treat sweet potatoes as you would carrots, beets or turnips. If you start them in in pots (after planting the slip) then plant them in their final container at the same level, gently firm the soil around the roots, water and leave them. Never hill them up or you'll kill the plant. They'll burrow further into the soil on their own, plus they'll produce a massive top cover of leaves. And remember not to over water, they don't like it. Nor do they like weeds, so if you grow them in the ground, use black plastic sheeting. Containers can be hand weeded if necessary. Good luck.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on January 28, 2010, 20:26
Cazzy, if you're growing yours in a container, you'd need one at least 2 ft deep as the tubers can be long and usually point downward rather than splayed in every direction. If you hope to plant several in one container, it might be a squeeze.

I was hoping the polystyrene fish boxes I have would work but they are only about 9" deep.  I have three dustbins that will have to do then
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: beanqueen on February 13, 2010, 17:47
I want to play :D
would it work if I planted them in upright bags of multipurpose compost?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Dee0 on February 13, 2010, 18:03
Yeah I'll have a go too with one in the greenhouse.  I'll get a potato tomorrow!  :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Swing Swang on February 13, 2010, 18:09
Trillium - Would you please clarify the plastic sheeting thing - Elsewhere on this site someone said that it's not a good idea to grow them up wigwams because they need to sprawl on the ground for maximum yields. I presumed that this was so they could send down roots along their length and so produce tubers elsewhere. Obviously this cannot be the case if growing them through plastic, so some other process must be going on. Could you enlighten me?

Regards,

SS
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on February 14, 2010, 00:16
Sweet potatoes are basically a tropical veg, which means they LOVE heat, which is also why they're drought tolerant. In commercial fields they lay sheets of plastic weed barrier for exactly that purpose as they're planting thousands of acres of sweet potatoes and haven't time to weed. The plastic also holds in the ridges they build for maximum soil depth and good drainage.
The potatoes themselves need heat to grow but they won't tolerate being cooked so the vining top growth is allowed to ramble on top to shade the soil while gaining maximum sunlight on all leaves. (not sure this 'problem' exists in the UK  :lol:) To wigwam them means there'll be some shading and a resulting diminish in cropping. Plus, the leaves just plain don't like to be trained up objects as you can do with melons, cukes and such. There's a main growth 'stalk' if you will, below ground from which the tubers sprout widely and with fertile loose soil, the crop can be large as well as huge sizewise. The vines themselves don't root unless severed somehow and the leaves with stems touch soil. You can get new plants from this method but by now there's likely to be insect damage, maybe some fungal damage which you don't want to propagate so its best to take new shoots from freshly sprouted tubers. So basically, you don't want to wigwam or allow the leaves to climb because you'd be stepping on the crop without realizing it as the underground spread can sometimes be wide if you have any hardpan. Is this what you wanted to know?

Here's a link to pix for starting your own slips. Store bought sp's might have a growth stopper sprayed on them as mine did and though I started mine last year in early March they were ready for planting out in July which was too late. So I kept the tuber going as they can keep putting out slips for up to 5 years.

http://grandbobsgarden.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-grow-beautiful-sweet-potato-vine.html
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Swing Swang on February 14, 2010, 12:52
Thanks Trillium -I do like to know the 'why' as well as the 'how'.

SS
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on February 14, 2010, 12:57
Ohhh how exciting!! I'm off to buy a couple of sps! Why do some suppliers sell them as "slips", what does that mean? They are soooo expensive to buy them that way too.
BTW thanks for all the advice, this is a fantastic site. Thanks again! ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on February 14, 2010, 13:15
Well thats my sweet potato been suspended in water for just about a month now and still nothing, I'm thinking my kitchen window ledge is too cold so i've moved it into the livingroom to see if that helps.

Anyone's rooted yet?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on February 14, 2010, 16:08
Why do some suppliers sell them as "slips", what does that mean? They are soooo expensive to buy them that way too.

Slips is merely a term specific to sweet potatoes to avoid any confusion. It's because you literally slip (pinch off) the young shoot from the parent where the base meets the tuber and that can be planted directly into a pot, another bottle of water or warm soil. I put mine into another bottle of water to make sure they root and when I see the first bits of roots I carefully put them into a pot of mix and keep it just lightly moistened. As for expensive, yes, they can be because someone had to fuss with them just like any other seedling, and because they're harder to find so gouging seems to be in order.  ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: goodegg on February 14, 2010, 16:25
im going to have a go as well last time i tried i bought some slips but when i got them they were all dried up and only one grew but not very well .
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on February 16, 2010, 09:50
hi all, an update on my sweet potatoes:

I moved them off the window cill as it was too cold and they are now in jars ontop of a radiator (which is always on very low). Each potato now has a couple of roots growing out into the water.

So far, so good! How are the rest of you doing?  :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on February 16, 2010, 12:43
Nothing yet  :nowink:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: stompy on February 18, 2010, 09:09
mine is on the radiator cover too, but nothing yet
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on February 18, 2010, 15:40
 I thought of buying the slips from Thompson and Morgan cos i love sweet potatoes. Has anyone been successfull with these. Also are you just using supermarket sweet potatoes in your experiment? :wub: :dry: :nowink: :blush: ;) :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on February 18, 2010, 16:55
Yeah, supermarket ones here, much cheaper than buying slips and as far as i'm aware does the same job  :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on February 18, 2010, 18:07
You'll need some patience with the grocery shop sweet potatoes as they were likely sprayed with anti-growth stuff. Eventually they'll come through. Just keep them warm and somewhere bright.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on February 19, 2010, 16:25
Yey!!! I have a root!!!  I prepared 3 sweet potatoes last Sunday, 14th Feb, I decided to put them on the windowsill in the front room, south facing always warm. Middle of the week I moved one onto the radiator, and low and behold, today I noticed a root!! 1mm thick and about 1cm long, on closer inspection I can see more roots developing. Now I'm in a dilemma!! Should I move the rooted one on to the windowsill where it will get more light? Should I move the other 2 on to the radiator? Should I leave 1&2  on the windowsill, and leave 3 on radiator?? Answers please!! Oh in my excitement, I went rushing off to the allotment to cover a bed with black plastic and a cloche to warm up the soil in readiness!! Hehe :lol:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on February 19, 2010, 17:43
Good for you tattyanne. Just remember that one potato can put out about 6 slips, maybe more, so that's a lot of potato space you'll need just for one tuber. It's not the roots you use, its the new growth on top that you snap off and plant and that will be along very soon :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: lightinglad on February 20, 2010, 17:21
ok mate the challenge is on...
will get my potatoes next week.. but here one for u.
brought ginger this week will try to grow it
want a bet free packet of seed????
john
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on February 20, 2010, 17:56
I have a root  :D

Unfortunately I also seem to have a kinda furry growth too, anyone else got that?

lightinglad, i've had my ginger suspended in water for a few weeks, nothing happening yet so I've moved that to a warmer window cill.
Title: Sweet Potatoes
Post by: pipfit on February 20, 2010, 22:52
Is it possible to grow sweet potatoes from tubers sold in supermarkets plz if so what is the procedure plz
Barry : ???
Title: Re: Sweet Potatoes
Post by: sunshineband on February 20, 2010, 22:54
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=50097.0

There have been a couple of threads about sweet potatoes recently.

I have added in a link to one which might help you  :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on February 21, 2010, 11:25
Cazzy, I have that too! Nothing that a quick swill under the tap cant sort out! Do you change your water? Should we be doing that?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on February 21, 2010, 11:32
Cazzy, I have that too! Nothing that a quick swill under the tap cant sort out! Do you change your water? Should we be doing that?

I wondered about whether we should be changing the water too.  I'm sure it wont do any harm
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: sunshineband on February 21, 2010, 15:17
I have a root  :D

Unfortunately I also seem to have a kinda furry growth too, anyone else got that?

lightinglad, i've had my ginger suspended in water for a few weeks, nothing happening yet so I've moved that to a warmer window cill.

I think ginger grows quite differently. I have aslways planted it in damp sandy soil and jkept it warm, Then new long bud bits grow into stems/leaves and more rooty tuber grows too, which you can use  :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on February 21, 2010, 17:02

[/quote]

I think ginger grows quite differently. I have aslways planted it in damp sandy soil and jkept it warm, Then new long bud bits grow into stems/leaves and more rooty tuber grows too, which you can use  :D
[/quote]

Mmmm. Growing ginger! You see, that's why I love this sight - so many great growing ideas! I would never have thought of that!  :) I'm off to the fridge now, to steal the ginger...   ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on February 21, 2010, 19:58
I think ginger grows quite differently. I have aslways planted it in damp sandy soil and jkept it warm, Then new long bud bits grow into stems/leaves and more rooty tuber grows too, which you can use  :D

As far as I've been reading, it is possible to start ginger off in water.  I'm away to read up on it again as you've got me doubting myself  ???


Title: Anyone grow Sweat Potatoe last year
Post by: nobby90 on March 01, 2010, 19:34
Did anyone have a bash at growing Sweat Potatoe's last year??  I tried with some in the Pollytunnel but they did nothing.  Anyone else have a result with them ??
Title: Re: Anyone grow Sweat Potatoe last year
Post by: Cazzy on March 01, 2010, 19:42
Did anyone have a bash at growing Sweat Potatoe's last year??  I tried with some in the Pollytunnel but they did nothing.  Anyone else have a result with them ??

There certainly was a thread about it last year but I don't remember reading any results.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Dee0 on March 15, 2010, 08:25
Hooray!  I've got roots!! (just!) :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on March 15, 2010, 09:11
That's great Dee0  :) Mine seem to have stalled so I've started another one, just in case.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: beanqueen on March 15, 2010, 09:21
Got some roots but very thin.  like strands of cotton..anyone think I should risk potting them up?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on March 15, 2010, 09:33
Got some roots but very thin.  like strands of cotton..anyone think I should risk potting them up?

Do you have slips growing at the top of the potato?  These are what you pot up.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: stompy on March 15, 2010, 14:13
I've had roots on mine for about a month now and im getting eyes on mine too.

What do i do next?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 15, 2010, 15:08
Wait for those eyes to turn into sprouts. When they get 2 full sets of leaves on them, you then pinch off that whole stem off the potato and pot up that stem. That is where the new sweet potatoes come from, not the actual potato you took it from.
Roots at the bottom of the potato simply mean new shoots will soon appear. It's hard for regular potato growers to realize that you simply can't plant out the potato itself and get a crop as you do with regular potatoes.
And when you do pot up the stems, you'll need to keep it warm as in a house or heated greenhouse. The plant needs about 120 warm days to produce a crop.  :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on March 15, 2010, 18:16
Horray I have roots and definite signs of green/purple growth!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Dee0 on March 16, 2010, 20:44
Nothing green/purple yet tho there is a bit of fluffy mould (?) under the water too. Should I wash it off or just let it get on with it?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on March 16, 2010, 21:50
I've got thin roots and cloudy water  :(, but no shoots/growth. It'll be 3 weeks on the 20th since I started, should I be worried??
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on March 16, 2010, 21:54
Are the shoots purple as they start? Looks like mine might be about to produce its first shoot if so. Yay!  :)

Took about 2 1/2 weeks for the first roots to appear and now just over 4 for the first signs of growth.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 16, 2010, 21:59
I've got thin roots and cloudy water  :(, but no shoots/growth. It'll be 3 weeks on the 20th since I started, should I be worried??


You can toss out that water and gently rinse the potato base under some running water, put the potato back in and top with fresh water and it'll be fine. Sometimes it just takes a while to get those shoots going but the roots say it'll be soon. Put in a sunny window if possible to encourage those shoots.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on March 17, 2010, 19:46
I've not checked them for a couple of days, but when I looked today I was amazed at how much growth they had put on! The slips are now about an inch long!! I will leave them to get longer then pot them up. I think i will try a couple in the polytunnel at the allotment, and a couple in a very large tublike thing in the greenhouse. Oooooh it is exciting!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on March 22, 2010, 12:30
I've had no success so i'm going to buy some. Suttons have an offer of 10 plants ready to pot for £14.95 i think i will try these.
Sorry folks i know i'm a let down :( :( :( :( :wub: :wacko:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 22, 2010, 13:00
No, you're not a let down. Sometimes the potatoes have been sprayed with an anti-sprouting concotion and yours might have gotten a good dose. Try it again for next year but this time, start in Nov or Dec.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: tweetpia on March 22, 2010, 13:46
The suggestions for warmth are keeping them close to a furnace, a woodstove that's in use, top of a fridge if you haven't that many potatoes, the kitchen stove, etc. As for humidity, they can sit in a closed poly bag with some gravel at the bottom and a bit of water; the gravel so the potatoes don't sit directly on the water. True, its a bit of a fiddle but trust me, organic sweet potatoes are so much superior to most shop potatoes that its worth the extra effort.
ellow trillium can i use this method with other potatoes like anya? cheers :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 22, 2010, 16:39
Hi, No, sorry, this is strictly a method for sweet potatoes. The potato itself is not used, what we're trying to get are the greens, called slips, which we eventually snap off and plant to get the future root crop. Odd, but that's how it works. To do this with regular potatoes is asking for fast rotting.

What you want is to chit potatoes, and if you look above in the top line of topics, beside Home, you'll find Growing Help. Click on that then find how to chit potatoes.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on March 23, 2010, 07:30
Sorry to hear that Harry, do you want me to send you one of mine? I've grown 4 and I dont need that many. Inbox your address and I'll wrap one carefully and send it to you.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on March 23, 2010, 08:40
Its very kind of you thanks  :) :) :)
Title: sweet potato growing
Post by: grinling on March 26, 2010, 14:57
Is it possible to grow sweet potatoes and if so where would I find seed to grow?
Title: Re: sweet potato growing
Post by: noshed on March 26, 2010, 15:00
Hi Grinling, yes you can grow them but you do it from existing tubers, which you allow to sprout and then plant the sprouts. There's a thread on here about it. You can buy the 'slips' and that may be your best bet at this stage of the year.

... in fact this is the thread
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on March 26, 2010, 21:54
Just another question on this experiment...

My shoots on my tubers are about half an inch, still a while yet before potting on I think.

So....

Could I add some kind of liquid feed/fertilizer to the water to help them along???

Any idea if it'll work??
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 27, 2010, 02:08
It wouldn't really do anything as the tuber itself supplies all the energy to the shoots. As long as it has water for the roots, it will come quickly enough. I keep mine in a sunny window all the time and the s.p.'s love it.  You wouldn't be able to plant out until it warms up, which would be around the end of May so plenty of time for more growth.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: kingston boy on March 27, 2010, 07:12
Am i allowed to play as i am ordering sweet potatoe plants. 12 for £15 + s/h
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 27, 2010, 14:00
Of course you are  :D It would be a bit late to try to start your own at this time, so buying slips is fine too though you miss the great fun of growing your own slips. There's always next year  ;)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on March 28, 2010, 15:32
Thanks tillium for the reply and advice, think i''ll just sit back and watch them continue growing. The shoots on mine are about an inch long now  :D :D :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on March 29, 2010, 12:49
The one Taatyanne sent me is growing really well the shoots are now about an inch long.  ??? ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: NigelB on March 29, 2010, 13:06
I hope I'm not too late.... I only got a hold of one yesterday....
I think I found the right end to sit in the glass, but I can't say with full certainty.
I have it on the windowsill where it will get full sun most of the day, and I also have a greenhouse where it can be brought on. I also have a raised bed with glass over it that is warming the deep compost/soil up in readiness..
Still got time?

Oh, I'm in North Wales where we have an excellent and warm micro-climate compared to many others....
 
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 29, 2010, 14:57
Sounds like you're all set, Nigel. The potato might be a month or so putting out some sprouts but that's typical.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on March 29, 2010, 17:28
Mine has been sitting in water since the 21st Jan and has only a few roots less than an inch long  :ohmy: no sign of any slips yet.

I'm not giving up just yet though.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Dee0 on March 29, 2010, 17:34
Me too.  I've got 1 good root about 4" long and another shorter but no shoots.  I'll give it a bit longer.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on March 29, 2010, 18:07
Me too.  I've got 1 good root about 4" long and another shorter but no shoots.  I'll give it a bit longer.

Ahhh I don't feel so bad now Dee0  :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Paul Plots on March 29, 2010, 18:16
started this today:

I have on my window cill a pyrex dish full of water with two shop-bought sweet potato tubers floating in it. The plan (following advice from this very forum!) is to leave them there for 2-3 weeks until they start to sprout, then cut off the sprouting plants and pot them on. Then transplant them into potato grow bags in the greenhouse and see if I get a crop in the summer.

Anyone else want to play? We could see who gets the biggest yeilds?!  :)

Missed it all as usual but I am defintely in for having a go next year! If I can find the thread again ::)

(Patience is a virtue  :blink:)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: sunshineband on March 29, 2010, 21:39
started this today:

I have on my window cill a pyrex dish full of water with two shop-bought sweet potato tubers floating in it. The plan (following advice from this very forum!) is to leave them there for 2-3 weeks until they start to sprout, then cut off the sprouting plants and pot them on. Then transplant them into potato grow bags in the greenhouse and see if I get a crop in the summer.

Anyone else want to play? We could see who gets the biggest yeilds?!  :)

Missed it all as usual but I am defintely in for having a go next year! If I can find the thread again ::)

(Patience is a virtue  :blink:)

You and me both Learner -- next year I hope to have a wireworm free space for them  :D :D :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: mumofstig on March 29, 2010, 21:57
growbags are always wireworm free :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: sunshineband on March 29, 2010, 21:58
growbags are always wireworm free :D

Why didn't I think of that  :ohmy:

Is it too late for this year ?  :unsure:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Paul Plots on March 29, 2010, 23:17
growbags are always wireworm free :D

Why didn't I think of that  :ohmy:

Is it too late for this year ?  :unsure:

The other posts seem to suggest it is for growing from scratch  :(
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 29, 2010, 23:38
Hope they're big growbags as the plants put out a good supply of potatoes  ;)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: sunshineband on March 30, 2010, 19:12
I am going to wait for next year --- remind me will you please?  :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 30, 2010, 19:27
Of course. Trust me.  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: sunshineband on March 30, 2010, 19:30
Thank you Trillium  :happy: :happy:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: beanqueen on March 30, 2010, 19:52
It's only tiny..but...my first shoot! just as I was gonna give up :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Dee0 on March 30, 2010, 20:01
Ahhh I don't feel so bad now Dee0  :)

Thank you.  I just want to see it doing its thing!  Great idea about the growbags tho. :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on March 30, 2010, 21:28
Ahhh I don't feel so bad now Dee0  :)

Thank you.  I just want to see it doing its thing!  Great idea about the growbags tho. :)

I wouldn't have thought a growbag would have worked but I've never grew them so what do I know lol.

I'll be doing mine in some dustbins I think
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on March 31, 2010, 20:36
Please tell me more about using either growbags or dustbins!!!!

I'm still undecided on which to use, I've got some 75 litre 'bags and I also wondered, should I add FB and B or just bonemeal to it, to help them along??

The bags I've got, are not quite filled to the top, as usual, so should I (if I use them), top them right up, or not???
I think it said on here that they grow from the top downwards....
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on March 31, 2010, 22:17
Definitely amend growbags and fill them to the top. If the weather is right, you'll get a bulging crop.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on April 01, 2010, 12:00
if we plant them on the allotment do they need covering with poly tunnel  :wacko: :wub:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on April 01, 2010, 15:58
Harry, I'm putting mine in the poly tunnel. I think natively they grow in a hot climate, so the warmer you can keep them the better.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on April 01, 2010, 18:48
Tattyanne is right - they really are tropicals and need 3 months of heat and sun to produce crop, and if you can do this, they won't stint in their yield. So  yes, any sort of poly tunnel, cold frame or whatever will do. 
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on April 01, 2010, 19:10
you'll get a bulging crop.

BULGING CROP!!!  :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy:

Just how many tatties off one shoot/slip are we talking here??????...............

More than you get off one seed potato perhaps???
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on April 01, 2010, 19:13
If they can get the warmth and sun they need, you can easily get 10 or more long thick tubers per plant. I've seen people dig up close to 20 per plant but that was under ideal conditions. The tubers form in a similar manner to dahlias - a centre main stalk with tubers coming out from all sides.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on April 01, 2010, 19:35
Think I'll start praying for a long hot summer then.

I saw that we maybe having one, according to a different met office than the one that cocked-up last years forecast  :tongue2: :tongue2: :tongue2:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on April 01, 2010, 21:19
Oh, and these are my potatoes, up to now.........

(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv225/Goldfinger_photos/Image010.jpg)

(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv225/Goldfinger_photos/Image009.jpg)

(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv225/Goldfinger_photos/Image004.jpg)

How much longer do you think I should let them keep growing??
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Paul Plots on April 01, 2010, 22:14
Triffids?  :blink:  :lol:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on April 02, 2010, 00:18
Goldfinger, how long did it take until the slips appeared?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on April 02, 2010, 00:37
6-8" is a good length before snapping them off and potting them up before they eventually go outside for hardening.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on April 02, 2010, 11:25
Goldfinger, how long did it take until the slips appeared?

I put my potates into jars on the 6th of march, on our south facing bedroom window, and the first shoots showed by the 20th.

I thought our window would've been too warm, or even too hot, but it looks like the total opposite, they're loving the heat and sun!!!

I'm pleased so far  :D :D :D What about everyone else???....
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on April 07, 2010, 12:40
I've got one shoot 4 inches and another 2 inches also two smaller ones have appeared :D :D :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: NigelB on April 07, 2010, 16:49
Mine has a root over a half-inch long now....
Hope it's not too late yet....
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on April 16, 2010, 12:49
The main shoot is over 12 inches long, is it time to snap it off and pot it up. ::) :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on April 16, 2010, 13:16
mine is just producing it's first decent roots! About time too!!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on April 16, 2010, 13:42
The main shoot is over 12 inches long, is it time to snap it off and pot it up. ::) :)

Yes. Regularly check on watering until you're sure it's put out its own roots.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on April 16, 2010, 14:44
Do you just put it in compost or in water :wacko:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: noshed on April 16, 2010, 16:44
I've got two shoots so far
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Tattyanne456 on April 16, 2010, 17:26
I've done both, and the ones in water seem to be doing better. I've also put a drop of seaweed extract in the water. I've got 6 potted up and 2 in water with loads more coming on.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Dee0 on April 22, 2010, 09:55
I've got loads of good roots and I just noticed there are several shoots coming up under the water! Does anyone else have that?  They look really strong, about 2" long but not where I thought they would be!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on April 22, 2010, 12:38
I've just put my largest shoot in water :ohmy:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on April 22, 2010, 14:38
Once the tuber has put out goodsized shoot(s), and they're about 6" tall or more, you snap the best off and pot them straight way into moist potting mix. They now need to develop their own roots and tubers and can't do this part in water . :happy:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on April 23, 2010, 08:43
I put mine in water and its looking a bit sad so i think i'll put it in compost when i get home :blush:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on April 23, 2010, 13:36
Don't feel bad about it; sweet potatoes are a strange creature when it comes to cultivation and unless you've watched others actually doing it, it's a bit mindboggling at the fuss.  ;)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on April 23, 2010, 19:21
Just wondering. Mine are in a pot on the windowsill. One has been growing for months and growing shoots soooo slowly it's painful. The other did nothing for ages, but has suddenly started growing far faster. The quick growing one has shoots lower down in the jar, where I'm guessing it's a degree or two warmer.

Has anyone tried starting them off inside a propagator to try and speed them up? Or would they rot off?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on April 23, 2010, 23:07
I've never tried a propagator myself but you could always try one potato next year and see how it turns out. If your shoots are coming along slowly then perhaps the location is a bit too cool for them Remember that sweet potatoes are tropical and really do need warm sunny locations, even in the house.

Today I snapped off a few shoots off the potato for planting into pots and the ones closest to the waterline have small rootlets as well as being attached to the potato. Gave that one an extra large pot as it will take off quickly.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on April 24, 2010, 10:34
Mine are on a south facing window sill, so they're getting as much sun as possible. Just thought an early start in a propagator might boost their early growing rate?

My healthy one is now growing shoots at a phenomenal rate. The weak one though seems to be growing leaves directly from the potato itself, rather than shoots?!

Think I'll probably try the propagator next year. I might also try immersing one on its side in a tray of water, rather than the normal jar trick to see if it results in more shoots?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: 1st time veg grower on June 06, 2010, 16:32
Can I ask how the experiment is going? Where have people planted out their slips (greenhouse? plot...etc?) How are they looking?

Really want to give this a go next year as I eat no end of sweet potato so have been following the thread...only its kind of stopped...

Many thanks! ;) :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on June 06, 2010, 16:59
I've got about half a dozen planted out in the allotment now, with another 3 or so slips approaching the point where I can plant them. They seem to be doing OK, but I'm not sure we'll get a long enough summer to see much of a crop this year.

Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on June 06, 2010, 19:19
Mine are in a raised bed and are almost as big as pairof aces'. When the season just starts to cool off, enclose them in their own little polytunnel type structures to maintain as much heat as possible and they should crop nicely later.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on June 07, 2010, 09:14
Mine are still on the window sill! There is now a great root system on the 'mother potato' but it is only just pushing out shoots. I was about to give up and throw it away (the thing has been on our kitchen window for over 2 months) when I noticed very small red buds on it. That was 10 days ago and now they are about an inch long.

I have a spec ready in the greenhouse for the slips when they are big enough  :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: 1st time veg grower on June 07, 2010, 15:07
Thanks for the replies! Am so intrigued to see how this all works out, almost gave it a go this year but wasn't quick enough off the mark. Determined to try next year though!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: noshed on June 07, 2010, 15:16
If you want to have a go now - PM me, I've got a few spare slips ready to pot on.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on June 07, 2010, 15:29
My potato sat for months and produced two tiny wee roots eventually.  The potato itself started to 'lose weight' and caved in at parts, no slips ever emerged and it ended up in the bin not so long ago. 

I'm really quite disappointed and I wonder if maybe, as was mentioned before, they had been treated so as not to sprout.

I'll try again next year and buy organic potatoes to see if that makes a difference.

Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: butterfly blue on June 07, 2010, 16:33
I have just read through the whole thread with great interest, i shall definately be having a go for next year. Someone will have to remind me in Novenmer to start off my sweet spud  :lol:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Paul Plots on June 07, 2010, 16:35
I have just read through the whole thread with great interest, i shall definately be having a go for next year. Someone will have to remind me in Novenmer to start off my sweet spud  :lol:

Ditto!!  ::)

With  a memory like mine it'll be July 2011 when the penny drops  :blink:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on June 07, 2010, 18:15
My potato sat for months and produced two tiny wee roots eventually.  The potato itself started to 'lose weight' and caved in at parts, no slips ever emerged and it ended up in the bin not so long ago. 

I did two. One did the same as yours, the other eventually produced loads of shoots. I can only assume some potatoes are better than others for taking slips from  ???
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on June 08, 2010, 00:08
My potato sat for months and produced two tiny wee roots eventually.  The potato itself started to 'lose weight' and caved in at parts, no slips ever emerged and it ended up in the bin not so long ago. 

I did two. One did the same as yours, the other eventually produced loads of shoots. I can only assume some potatoes are better than others for taking slips from  ???

That was the sensible thing to do, I do it with everything else I plant but don't know why it didn't occur to me to do it with these.

And although I don't know whether there is a top and bottom to sweet potatoes, I always felt mine was upside down lol, no idea why, just a feeling.

Good luck with yours and I hope to see the pics when you harvest them.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on June 08, 2010, 12:37
I have two in agrow bag i cut in half, one in each. Also two others in pots. The ones in the grow bag are doing well. :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on June 08, 2010, 18:17
And although I don't know whether there is a top and bottom to sweet potatoes, I always felt mine was upside down lol, no idea why, just a feeling.

There's a slight flat on one end where the stalk has been removed. My successful one was stalk upwards. The failure was stalk down. I tried both ways, as I thought it wouldn't make any difference, but have a suspicion I may have just proven myself wrong. I'll definitely make a point of making sure they're stalk upwards next year!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Cazzy on June 08, 2010, 23:24
And although I don't know whether there is a top and bottom to sweet potatoes, I always felt mine was upside down lol, no idea why, just a feeling.

There's a slight flat on one end where the stalk has been removed. My successful one was stalk upwards. The failure was stalk down. I tried both ways, as I thought it wouldn't make any difference, but have a suspicion I may have just proven myself wrong. I'll definitely make a point of making sure they're stalk upwards next year!

Thats interesting, i'm sure the more pointed end of mine was in the water but I couldn't say for sure now
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Craig69 on June 09, 2010, 09:04
Is it too late to start this now?
I have only just seen this thread & i put one the otherday in a jar of water on the windowsill to see what happened.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on June 09, 2010, 16:15
It's too late to expect a crop this year but you'll definitely be ready by next march to pinch off a few 'slips' to pot  on, ready for planting out next May.
Sometimes the sweet potatoes can be extremely slow to sprout, other times very quick. I have the same 2 potatoes going for 2 years now and have slips already for next year.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on June 09, 2010, 17:04
can I just check with those of you who had had good results - do the slips push out their own roots? Mine have lovely shoots but no roots! the roots are just on the 'mother' plant :blink:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on June 09, 2010, 21:00
My first shoot put out decent roots, but none of the ones which followed did. Let them grow to 2-3 inches, then twist them off. Stick them in another pot of water (Heinz baked bean snap pots are ideal !) and they should develop roots in a few days. As they do, fill the pot with soil, let them settle in for a week or so, then transplant into the ground.

I transplanted a couple at a time, covering them with a cloche and keeping them very wet until they'd "found their feet". After a week or so, they seem perfectly happy on my fairly exposed plot.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on June 09, 2010, 21:43
I simply twist or pinch the slip off the potato and pot it directly into moist potting mix, then keep it lightly moist. Takes about 3 weeks to see little rootlets, which is after a few leaves fall off first, but more soon take their place. If the potting mix isn't moist enough, it doesn't encourage the new roots on slips.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on June 10, 2010, 09:40
Thanks guys, I'll wet-pot them on at the weekend  :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: beanqueen on June 10, 2010, 19:24
Mine is in a bag of compost in the greenhouse and growing like mad!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: 1st time veg grower on June 16, 2010, 11:46
Thanks to noshed I am in on the experiment! WOO! :D

I am hopefully going to try a range of places, if the slips all survive being potted up etc.

Looking forward to seeing what happens!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: jamima on June 16, 2010, 12:21
Wanted to grow sweet pots for yrs so gonna have a go got a old pot in veg draw so here goes ! 8)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on June 16, 2010, 12:39
I cut a grow bag in half stood them on  end and planted one in each they're growing like mad. I have two more  just potted they have just started to take root.  :D ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: jamima on June 16, 2010, 12:56
Oh that sounds easy i'm going along with that, will keep you posted  8)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on June 16, 2010, 16:13
To look at the slip you snap off, you wouldn't think it would root, but they do. They just need a few weeks and you'll find a 4" pot full of roots. When I potted a few of mine as giveaways I had only 2" pots and the roots quickly burst out of that, so be aware that small containers are simply too small.  :happy:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on July 12, 2010, 16:56
Time for an update?

After weeks of waiting, I finally grew some slips from the tuber. 2 of these were cut off and later planted up. They are both now healthy-looking baby (only 3" tall) sweet potato plants which I intent to nurture over the winter and plant in tubs in my greenhouse next May/June.

It all took a lot longer than I thought but I'm determined to harvest sweet potatoes at some point  :)

How are yours doing?  :)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on July 12, 2010, 19:36
Mine have been loving the sun, but I can't water them as much as I'd like, as we're on a hand pumped borehole and other stuff on the plot needed watering more. In an ideal world, I'd probably give each plant a good soaking daily, but they've had to get by with a water once a week.

They're just starting to develop some decent runners, but attract the attention of the pigeons on the plot. They clearly don't like the taste, but are obviously too stupid to remember the fact and keep coming back, poking a couple of holes in the leaves then flying off again.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on July 12, 2010, 19:38
Just a quick question, Does that mean you don't get sweet potatoes 'til NEXT year  :blink:??

I've had to give away 2 potatoes with about 15+ shoots on each thinking you'll get a crop this year. (I've got no space anywhere so did a good deed).
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on July 12, 2010, 19:47
They should (finger's crossed) produce a crop this year.

Aelf's apparently taking an approach I considered and overwintering them. I toyed with the idea, but I think you'll need somewhere spacious to keep them if you do it, as once they get going, they grow quite quickly! It'll be interesting to see if it works, as I'm planning on starting them early next year in a propagator, but think I might struggle, as mine didn't take off until we started getting some prolonged sun.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on July 12, 2010, 20:18
My sweet potatoes are about the same size as pairofaces. The problem with overwintering them is that once the weather cools off from quite hot and sunny, the plants will simply go into a sort of limbo, and if they're hit at all with less than 40F temps, they'll die off. They truly are a hot weather plant, a tropical.

As for our plants, with time and sun, they'll continue to spread their topcover to keep their roots cool so good spacing is needed. I won't dig up mine until frost hits the leaves.

Starting them in the propagator next year is a good idea. And keep those tubers in water watered - they'll continue to sprout for another couple of years.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Paul Plots on July 13, 2010, 00:28
I am so looking forward to trying this next year if only I can remember to get going with it at the right time.

Thanks everyone... It has made interesting reading.  :happy:

Still watching  ;)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on July 13, 2010, 09:12
Mine are in grow bags outside the foliage is quite high now :blush:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on July 13, 2010, 13:01
I'm only considering overwintering them because they were so slow in getting started and the plants are very small. I'll move them to a heated window sill in the autumn.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on July 13, 2010, 19:25
They should (finger's crossed) produce a crop this year.

Aelf's apparently taking an approach I considered and overwintering them. I toyed with the idea, but I think you'll need somewhere spacious to keep them if you do it, as once they get going, they grow quite quickly! It'll be interesting to see if it works, as I'm planning on starting them early next year in a propagator, but think I might struggle, as mine didn't take off until we started getting some prolonged sun.

Phew! Though I'd done all that work for nothing til next year...

Anyway, Ive got 4 in a large tub (ex cattle mineral lick tub, HUGE, so plenty space), but only 2 on the ground and since they went in, I feel as if they've stopped growing.  ??? ???

Maybe they're waiting for the 'proper' summer sun.  unless that bit we had a few weeks ago was it....  :(
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: 1st time veg grower on July 13, 2010, 20:56
I have one in my greenhouse in a potato bag which was planted out just over a week ago and has so far done nothing. Three that were planted out under cloches in a raised bed two weeks ago and are becoming slightly bushy and one planted in a bin under a cloche about three weeks ago which is about double the size of them. None of them are anywhere near the size of pairofaces! :D
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on August 30, 2010, 10:07
Anyone got any thoughts on when to (attempt!) harvesting yet?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on August 30, 2010, 14:49
Like regular potatoes, when you start to see a bit of dieback. They take a while to form so don't rush to harvest. I'm going to have a peek under mine today and then water them, it's been so dry the last few weeks.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: pairofacres on August 30, 2010, 22:10
What do you about drying/curing them Trillium? I've heard you need to leave them out in the sun for a few days for the skin to cure off? The way the weather's changing over here, I'm a bit nervous about getting the opportunity before autumn sets in!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on August 30, 2010, 23:15
This bit from Iowa State Univ. covers it better than I can:

Sweet potatoes should be harvested just before or after a vine killing frost. Dig roots carefully to avoid skinning or bruising the roots. Before storing cure the sweet potatoes to promote healing of wounds and improve flavor. Place the sweet potatoes in an area with a temperature of 80 to 85 F and high relative humidity for approximately 10 days. A high relative humidity can be provided by placing the roots in storage crates or boxes and covering them with paper or heavy cloth. Packing in perforated plastic bags will also keep humidity high. Roots can also be cured near a furnace for 2 to 3 weeks. Once cured, store roots in a dark location with temperatures of 55 to 60 F. Good storage results can be obtained by wrapping cured sweet potatoes in newspaper and storing them in a cool closet. Freezing or canning are other storage alternatives.

Note that it doesn't say anything about needing to cure in the sun, just high humidity. One no-no is to store them in cellars which are often too cool. Closets should work just fine.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on October 14, 2010, 12:48
As anyone harvested their sweet potatoes yet I'm going to dig one of mine this weekend :ohmy: :lol:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Goldfinger on October 14, 2010, 19:13

Lifted mine about 2 weeks ago, TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!  >:(  >:(  >:(

Fed, watered them, kept them in the sun, done all I could and they hadn't even showed signs of swelling up from the thickness of a fine root!

Maybe it is too cold in these parts, or it was just a poor summer.

Won't be doing it again, sorry.  :(   :(
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: rainbow1 on October 14, 2010, 19:19
I shared my slips with a friend and she has already had supermarket sized tubers. I'm still waiting but feel a bit like I'm playing Russian roulette with the weather. Been more than a week since I was at the plot but the leaves were only just starting to yellow.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Junie on October 14, 2010, 20:51
I'd like to have a go.  What family are they from as far as plot rotation goes and do the plants take up much room?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: rainbow1 on October 14, 2010, 20:57
I'm not sure it matters but I have them with my roots because that's where I have the space

I have four plants in about 1m x 1m
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: mike1987 on October 15, 2010, 05:15
I'd like to have a go.  What family are they from as far as plot rotation goes and do the plants take up much room?
there in the same family as bind weed not sure what family that is but hope it helps
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on October 15, 2010, 09:40
My plants are about 2" high and have taken forever to get that big. My plan is to attempt to overwinter them in the greenhouse, protected by fleece, so that they get a head start next year.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Paul Plots on October 16, 2010, 02:20
Please can someone tell me when is the time for getting underway for the next growing season.... I missed it last year.  ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: 1st time veg grower on October 16, 2010, 20:19
I dug up the three plants on my bed and sadly my experiment failed -loads of tubers had started to form but they were only about the thickness of a wooden spoon handle!! Think up here we had too little sun and too much rain over the 'summer'.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on October 19, 2010, 15:10
I dug up three of mine the tubers look like small carrots but i'm going to eat them anyway :nowink: :nowink: ;) :) ??? :lol:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: aelf on October 19, 2010, 15:45
Please can someone tell me when is the time for getting underway for the next growing season.... I missed it last year.  ::)

As early as possible, I'd say, Jan/feb on a very warm sunny window ledge/ conservatory or greenhouse. Mine took ages to get going, I think because they didn't get enough heat or light early in the year.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: rainbow1 on October 19, 2010, 18:00
From four plants, two T65 and two Beauregard Improved.

By the way, has anyone ever grown Georgia Jet?

Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 19, 2010, 18:16
Which is which rainbow ?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: rainbow1 on October 19, 2010, 20:16
Good point! The Beauregard Improved are on the bigger ones on the left.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: harry on October 20, 2010, 12:48
From four plants, two T65 and two Beauregard Improved.

By the way, has anyone ever grown Georgia Jet?



Mine look like the smaller ones in the picture but i'm still going to cook them :wub: :blush: :wacko:
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: 1st time veg grower on October 20, 2010, 19:59

Mine look like the smaller ones in the picture but i'm still going to cook them :wub: :blush: :wacko:

Mine too! ::)
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Paul Plots on October 21, 2010, 13:27
Please can someone tell me when is the time for getting underway for the next growing season.... I missed it last year.  ::)

As early as possible, I'd say, Jan/feb on a very warm sunny window ledge/ conservatory or greenhouse. Mine took ages to get going, I think because they didn't get enough heat or light early in the year.

Thanks aelf. I'm going to give it a go for the fun of it.... a very warm spot if I can find one!
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: rainie on February 03, 2011, 21:39
Hello. I dont mean to stel this thread, but am having a go at sweet potatoes myself for the first time. I have suddenly realised there are 12 pages here to read and for me to learn from. Is it ok to carry this thread on or shall i start a new one?
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: galen on February 03, 2011, 21:46
Hello. I dont mean to stel this thread, but am having a go at sweet potatoes myself for the first time. I have suddenly realised there are 12 pages here to read and for me to learn from. Is it ok to carry this thread on or shall i start a new one?

I think this is this years thread...  :)

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=69949.0
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: Trillium on February 03, 2011, 22:07
Due to the previous thread's size, I started a new one for this year:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=69949.0

If you click onto it, make a reply, then post it, it will pop right into the first page again.
Title: Re: The Great sweet potato experiment!
Post by: mumofstig on February 04, 2011, 22:16
I am locking this topic as it has been re-started for this year here

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=69949.msg799224#msg799224

 :)