sweet potatoes 2011

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Trillium

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sweet potatoes 2011
« on: January 14, 2011, 16:11 »
Yep, it's time to start your sweet potato tubers in water so your sprouts are sizeable enough for growing this summer.

I check my tuber for 'eyes' and whichever end has the most will be the top bit. The other half will have 3 strong picks stuck in halfway around the tuber so it sits suspended in a jar of water and placed somewhere sunny.

I start mine now because it often takes a long time for the tuber sprouts to decide to show. Any that show up quickly are a bonus and can be pricked off and placed into a pot with slightly damp potting mix and grown on a bit. Tuber roots will always show first but aren't what you're after - you want the top sprouts. And always keep the jar water level topped up.

I noticed that many folk had skinny 'useless' tubers from last year's efforts. This means that they needed longer growing time in the soil to fill out, which for some folk, could mean an earlier start up time. I highly recommend that UK growers plant out their ready sprouts  early under cloches at the outdoor season start as sweet potatoes are decidedly heat lovers and will grow better for you for the next 4 months outside.

So, let the sprouting begin  :D
« Last Edit: February 05, 2011, 20:07 by mumofstig »

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Jono

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2011, 11:18 »
Thanks Trillium.

Between me and my mum we grew these for the first time last year. The ones in the ground didn't come to much. I put a plastic sheeting around the plants, but I don't think I watered them enough.

Mum grew them in potato planters on her patio and hers were really good. Will be trying that again.

The plants themselves are really nice too.

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Cazzy

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2011, 11:56 »
I'm going to have another go this year, my potato didn't sprout at all last year so I think i'll go for an organic potato this year to see if that makes any difference.

Let the trials begin :)
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Trillium

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2011, 15:21 »
You hit the key, Jono - they prefer soft, loose soil so the pot was the best for them.

I grew mine in dedicated raised beds about 12" high and I got a very nice crop. Doubt I'd get the same in my clayish soil.

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rainie

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2011, 19:32 »
I read the other thread on sweet potatoes (in a different section). Its great info  :D  and have learned so much, so thankyou. I went to a garden centre today but they haven't got any in yet.  ::) , so I will just have to keep looking. Or 'borrow one from a mates larder.  ;) :D
Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else.

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Trillium

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2011, 21:01 »
I confess, I use ones I buy at the shop. Otherwise, postage for me for one tuber almost gives me a stroke.

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NorfolkVeg

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2011, 07:38 »
As a complete newbie, I understand some of what is said and then I have to try to convert the rest in layman's terms!! LOL

DO i take it you can use shop bought Sweet potatoes?
How do I get them to sprout - put them in water?
Potting mix is mentioned - what is that?
And finally, the bed, i want to make raised bed by the sounds of it, what is best to mix in with the soil to make a good raised bed.

We use around 2 shop bought bags of sweet potatoes every week in our house so I want to grow lots..ha ha

Thanks all




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Kristen

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2011, 08:21 »
Details of growing Sweet Potatoes here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=50097.0

its a long read!

Apart from your love for them :) I'm not sure I would recommend this for a Newbie to try ...

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DD.

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2011, 08:28 »

Apart from your love for them :) I'm not sure I would recommend this for a Newbie to try ...

Precisely what I said to the same poster on this thread:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=70209.msg802054#msg802054

We're not ganging up on you - honestly. Just that we genuinely feel you should get a bit of growing experience under your belt first.
Did it really tell you to do THAT on the packet?

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Kristen

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2011, 08:36 »

Precisely what I said to the same poster on this thread:

Ah, I remember now. Long night of rescuing a lost database for a client ... :(

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DD.

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2011, 08:41 »
Wasn't meant as a criticism, Kristen, just as a back up on your post.

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Kristen

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2011, 09:30 »
Didn't take it that way. Disappointed at self. Old age, lack of sleep, not enough Wine, Women and Song ... the usual excuses!

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DD.

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2011, 09:35 »
I slept well.

The others apply though.

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aelf

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2011, 09:31 »
I'm in two minds about having a go this year. But I probably will  :)

Going to buy a tuber from the garden centre instead of the supermarket tho, see if that improves my chances  ::)
There's more comfrey here than you can shake a stick at!

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rubyrose

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Re: sweet potatoes 2011
« Reply #14 on: February 04, 2011, 22:10 »
i'll play to  if you will let me!    but as my son started 2 shop bought sweet potatoes off in jars in december (he could'nt wait till feb) and they each have one slip and more srouting i am way in front 



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