Sweet Potatoes

[saddad]

Four slips under black plastic outside... dug up at the weekend after th frosts took the tops out.

Somebody on another forum has already said they look more like Pink Fir Apple potatoes...

Still got this one to check, it is in the schools greenhouse. Will dig it out this weekend..

[saddad]

[manicscousers]

wow, am really envious, will get to grips with them next year but you've given me hope  :D

[Chantenay]

How brilliant is that??
I must try harder next year, I just got four skinny little fingers from one vine I was given. You're an inspiration.

[Mrs Ava]

Yes, I'm another one who WILL try this next year!  Lovely crop saddad.  How will you be cooking them????

[saddad]

They have already been processed into a spicy soup... as we haven't the facilities to "cure" them properly!
;D

[Yuet_Lee]

saddad,
how long does yours been in the ground ???since when ???
I've some still in the tub inside the greenhouse but got killed by frost :-\
I'm not sure shall I dug them up ???because they only in the tub since June.

[saddad]

I started the slips in pots mid may, they took about a month to recover and start growing and they hit the soil once the summer hols started @ 12th July, will have to work out how to get them in earlier, with a fresh manure hotbed (?) they stayed out until last sunday, although the tops were killed off by a frost in the middle of the week. The ones in a black dustbin in the greenhouse I haven't lifted yet and I hope for better results from the ones in the greenhouse border at the top of this pic... Do need to feed them more though!
;D

[Yuet_Lee]

thanks saddad ;)
will try again early next year!

[saddad]

Took out the ones in a black dustbin in my greenhouse today... just fingers, not fed them enough... but haven't been able to dig the giant in the big greenhouse shown above... it is the schools greenhouse and I don't have a key! Will try again tomorrow, hopefully the chairman will be around, I think there was a football match on this afternoon!
;D

[cornykev]

They do look great Saddad will definitely try them next year, I think you have inspired some of us who weren't going to bother or going to give up, can't wait for photos of next batch.


                  May the corn be with you.

[caroline7758]

Where did you get your slips from, saddad?

[saddad]

Chase Organics, but have seen them in T+M as well...
Finally got into the Greenhouse and dug out the Sweet Potato.... emphasis on the... couple of small ones and one, just under the crown at 4 3/4 Lbs...
it's huge... must have put the water and feed plant pot too close, and with such a dry Summer the roots never really spread... you could always play football with it!
:o
Pic to follow when OH comes in with the digi...







The best supermarkets had to offer!

8)

;D

[manicscousers]

are you sure it's not some wierd sort of pumpkin, it must be a record breaker  :o

[saddad]

It will soon meet the pumpkin, spiced sweet pot and pumpkin soup!
;D
Two large freezers in the outside brick shed, and a fridge/freezer inside as well. Well we do have five plots!
;D

[manicscousers]

hope you've got a big freezer, or are you eating soup all week ?

[triffid]

Gobsmacked!

Saddad; if you have half a min, how about posting a few helpful pointers for those of us who'd love to try growing sweet pots but haven't a clue where to start?

Quite clearly, and with photographic evidence to prove it, you are a Sweet Potato expert!  :D

[saddad]

Just ordered some slips in the post, potted them on for a month as instructed and then planted in a variety of places. Some outdoor under black plastic, some in a dustbin in a greenhouse and this as an afterthought in the corner of the schools greenhouse. It was obviously too dry in there so the tuber only developed next to the water/feed plant pot I had put in to get it started.....

these were the ones outside under plastic...
???

[triffid]

Outstanding, saddad! You make it sound so easy (bet it's not!!  ;))

I do want to get brave & give it a go though... with no greenhouse, the black plastic method is the way I'll have to work.

Can you tell me where to buy slips from, please?  :)

[saddad]

Well I had a look at the process Growmore but after wasting 15 mins got fed up...
My slips were from Chase Organics but T+M also advertised them...
:)

[cornykev]

:o :o :o :o Top banana Saddad tell us what it tastes like.   :P  :P   


                 May the corn be with you.