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Allotment Stuff => E-Buygumbay => Topic started by: cgreen01 on February 05, 2007, 10:09:59

Title: sweet patatoes
Post by: cgreen01 on February 05, 2007, 10:09:59

i want to grow sweet patatoes as we eat them but they cost an arm and a leg in the shops can anyone advise me we are in yorkshire ion the coast

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: tilts on February 05, 2007, 22:11:53

i have put a sweet potato that  i bought from a supermarket in a jam jar supported by three cocktail sticks and suspended in water, this will make the slips that i will grow in the allotment later in the spring.  they will need to be on the plot for about 6 months to get anything worth eating!  Check out the other threads for ideas ref sweet potatoes.

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: Rosyred on February 06, 2007, 18:52:40

So do the slips come out of the potato?

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: okra on February 06, 2007, 19:19:44

I have just asked the same question and some kind folk has posted some photos on Edible Plants

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: MikeB on February 06, 2007, 22:15:56

Growing

pH range: 5.5-6.5
Growing soil temperature: 18-32C
Spacing in beds: 35-45cm
Watering: Low
Light: Full sun
Nutrient requirements: N=low; P=low, K=low
Rotation considerations: Avoid following root crops
Good companions: Marigold
Bad companions: Beetroot, carrot, potatoes
Seed Longevity: N/A

 



To grow a Sweet Potato Vine

Sweet potatoes in the U.K. are grown mostly in the South. They are planted in the spring by "slips." These are the small rooted pieces of the vine that grow from the "eyes" or buds of the potato.

The sweet potato produces vine-like stems that resemble the philodendron plant. Place the sweet potato in a container of water. Keep the top 1/3 of the potato exposed by placing toothpicks into the sides. The pointed end should be down in the water. In a few weeks a vine with several stems will begin to sprout. The stems are weak; so be careful not to break them.

Fertilize about once a month.

When the shoots are 10-15cm long, gently twist them from the potato. Place the shoots in water so that their bottom halves are immersed. The slips (shoots) are ready to plant when roots appear, usually in just a few days. Don't allow the roots to get longer than 2.5-3cm before planting. Your sweet potato vines can be planted outside in two weeks after last frost to produce sweet potatoes that can be dug and eaten in the autumn.

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: okra on February 10, 2007, 17:32:33

How long before roots and slips are produced = once suspended in water?

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: telboy on February 10, 2007, 17:48:23

Mike,
Very informative. Many thanks - now sorely tempted to give it a try.

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: carolinej on February 10, 2007, 18:00:43

I have just put some sweet potatoes on the windowsill to chit :-[

At least now I know how to do it properly. Off to find some cocktail sticks ;D

cj :)

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: timelady on February 10, 2007, 20:16:30

Thanks SO much for that! All drawn and jotted down in my new allotment notebook. :)

When you say fertilize for 1 month, what exactly do you mean for fertilizing? Or just leaving in the jar...

Tina.

Title: Re: sweet patatoes
Post by: MikeB on February 10, 2007, 21:50:32

Quote from: timelady on February 10, 2007, 20:16:30

When you say fertilize for 1 month, what exactly do you mean for fertilizing? Or just leaving in the jar...

Tina.

Fertilize Once a month- teaspoon of tomato feed.

Quote from: okra on February 10, 2007, 17:32:33

How long before roots and slips are produced = once suspended in water?

Anything from 1 to 3 months.