Are these "slips"

[COMPOST CORNER]

I found an old sweet potato in a bag in the veg rack tonight, still firm enough to use, but from one end are growing lots of pinky purple shoots similar to those of a chitted potato, about 4"-5" long, but much slimmer.
Are these the much wanted Slips I need to grow sweet potatoes?

[greasyfire]

Yes i think they are shoots, if you want to preserve it keppy the potato with shoots up and the botoom down in groung or water. If you want to start to grow them then you cut of the slips and put it in water.

[Rhona]

Yes - I grew sweet potatoes last two years from organic supermarket potatoes. The shoots are purple-ish. Point the rose (with the most shoots) end towards the light. They need a long season (I find) - info elsewhere on these boards, but yep - you got slips!

[Nicos]

Lucky you!
we've no idea how this summer will be- go on- nurture them in a glass of water and see if they will grow in a sunny part of the garden. They do spread a bit so choose a site carefully!
I'm going to try again this year- I did get 3 rooted shoots last year- but then went back to the UK for a couple of weeks..and they died
So- looks like you have a head start! keep them warm for now in a glass of water- they'll be needing some roots soon!
good luck!

[COMPOST CORNER]

So should I remove the slips and put them in water, or just stand the tuber in a jug of water?
I'm really lucky with this because I bought extra sweet potatoes last week with the intention of trying to grow some this year.

[Nicos]

Stand it in water for now- until there are lots of roots!
Keep most of the shoots above water level ( most if you can ) ...and keep it in a warm place.
Mine was near a radiator and a replaced the warm water most days.

[nerdgas]

Quite good guide on growing Sweet Pots from slips on here:

How to Plant and Grow Sweet Potatoes : How-To : DIY Network

[COMPOST CORNER]

Thanks for that, very helpul.