Growing sweet potatoes

[ChocClare]

Hello all

I read something on some American website last year which said that you should cut up a sweet potato, stand the bits in water, it would then sprout and you could plant up the results and grow it.

Well I tried that, and just got something rather slimy and disgusting on my windowsill that had previously been a perfectly good sweet potato.

Has anyone tried growing/sprouting these? Good results? If so, what went wrong for me last time? I like sweet potatoes and would like not having to pay so much for them if they're viable here (I know you can buy seeds but I'm just tight, OK?!!).

All help gratefully received!

[Seahorse]

I've had one about three quarters submerged in a glass of water for a couple of weeks. I change the water every day (well, nearly, I've forgotten a couple of times). I've been using warm water. I now have some little white roots (I guess?) emerging. I will try and take a pic to show you.

[Seahorse]

Here's the whole thing:



And here's a close up of the roots/shoots (bit dark as I had to turn the flash off to get any detail):



I think it's too early to get anything viable going, although I'll keep it indoors and then in the g/h just in case. I wanted to try it though, then I can decide whether to order slips or propagate my own once it gets warmer.

[momol]

Seahorse,

Once your sweet potatoes grow, you can propagates them from its vine ( take cutting from it), this way, no need to order extra....

Momol

[veg4681]

I think it's too early to get anything viable going, although I'll keep it indoors and then in the g/h just in case. I wanted to try it though, then I can decide whether to order slips or propagate my own once it gets warmer.

Gosh Seahorse, who would have thought you could do that! Would they not chit like normal potatoes if left to their own device ?

And what's this, growing from the cuttings of the plant ? I swear I never knew you could do all this. I just remember reading somewhere that they're not worth the bother for the guaranteed lack of success you'll only have in UK growing climate. Do keep us updated of your progress with the sweet potato growing experience.

[Two_Sheds]

Your pics are terrific, I hope they do well (they need a warm place)
Sweet potatoes aren't potatoes at all ... they are closely related to Morning Glories. This might be useful:
BBC - Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time - Factsheets

[momol]

Gosh Seahorse, who would have thought you could do that! Would they not chit like normal potatoes if left to their own device ?

And what's this, growing from the cuttings of the plant ? I swear I never knew you could do all this. I just remember reading somewhere that they're not worth the bother for the guaranteed lack of success you'll only have in UK growing climate. Do keep us updated of your progress with the sweet potato growing experience.

I grew it before in Sg Veg, they will chit by it self too ( with out using water) but it will take longer as it need slightly longer to break it's dormancy. It is just fun to watch things grow. I did get some 3 small tuber out of it too but it was growing with out TLC or any fertilizer. They do need lots of sun and warmth.
Hope Seahorse can get some crop too as they are blight free.
BTW, I cook and eat sweet potato leaves before, yummy ( like spinach)....

[Seahorse]

Seahorse,

Once your sweet potatoes grow, you can propagates them from its vine ( take cutting from it), this way, no need to order extra....

Momol

Your pics are terrific, I hope they do well (they need a warm place)
Sweet potatoes aren't potatoes at all ... they are closely related to Morning Glories. This might be useful:
BBC - Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time - Factsheets

Thanks both! Useful info

[ChocClare]

Thanks for all your help, everyoneI think where I was going wrong was cutting it up first - I'll give it a go using your methods, Seahorse and hopefully have more success this time!

[Seahorse]

Thought I would post an update on how mine is getting on. I put it in a pot on the windowsill about a firtnight ago and it's got shhots now:

[mw@phoenixrtc.co.uk]

new but keen

what is a "slip" ? of sweet potatoe? Is this the sprouting bit cut off the main tuber?

[Alison]

Pretty much, basically if you send off for them then you get what looks like a bit cut straight form the tuber which you then root up. They're pretty easy to get going but you may have problems with the length of season in this country and I've found that they aren't really worth growing round here outside, even under black plastic.

[lynda66]

i got some little plants off auntie mo, unfortunately i killed 2 of them but the 3rd is still growing though it's hard work trying to keep it looking healthy, i think a slip is just a slice of the skin?

how did yours get on seahorse??

[mw@phoenixrtc.co.uk]

Pretty much, basically if you send off for them then you get what looks like a bit cut straight form the tuber which you then root up. They're pretty easy to get going but you may have problems with the length of season in this country and I've found that they aren't really worth growing round here outside, even under black plastic.

So if the issue is short season, I guess the trick is to get them in the ground as soon as possible ? March ?

[selfraising]

Hi
I cut a slice off from a supermarket variety last year. Buried it quite deep in moist compost and put it in the airing cupboard. It sprouted. I then took it out and it produced quite a few leaves. Unfortunately when I planted it in the garden, it died. Don't know if this was down to the bad weather or because it wasn't going to do much more anyway