sweet potatoes (again)!!!

[bedrockdave]

I know I've asked how to start these off :-[ but as its my first time growing them I thought it would be better to buy the slips so  can anyone recommend somewhere to buy the slips from other than T&M.Theres are £10.49 for 10 slips and my local garden centre say theres will be £6.99 for 4

[bedrockdave]

[manicscousers]

we bought them from T &M , they were very late arriving and in a bad state, we were told to see how they went on, which would've been too late, from 10 slips, we got 6 viable ones, they came dry, nothing around the root part and very dry and limp  :(
growing my own this year, they've started already  ;D

[Eristic]

What does everyone think is a fair price to pay for rooted slips in good condition? Typically, how many is required and what is the ideal time to receive them?

And do you care what variety they are?

[manicscousers]

don't know eristic but ours didn't have any roots either  :(

[hazelize_uk]

I think we started ours at a similar time to you manicscousers i have got them suspended in jars hanging on cocktail sticks! we have quite a few roots developed but no slips yet - have yours got shoots on already??  :-\

[Barnowl]

I've been trying all the supermarkets to find the organic ones from NZ but they haven't turned up yet. Only Waitrose left to go ...

[Tora]

I grew Kumara (NZ variety) last year. I bought a bag of Kumara from Sainsbury's, started them off indoors, broke slips off tuber when they were about 3 inches and let them root in a glass of water. I planted them out in May under fleece in a raised bed. I had a good crop and the tubers are still fine. I'm going to start them off soon. I think secret of success is to give them some kind of protection in the first several weeks after planting out, as well as planting out early enough.  :)

[Barnowl]

That's the one I'm looking for, but none in at the moment.

[manicscousers]

I think we started ours at a similar time to you manicscousers i have got them suspended in jars hanging on cocktail sticks! we have quite a few roots developed but no slips yet - have yours got shoots on already??  :-\

just started shoots, hazelite, one half has roots and shoots, the other one just has shoots coming on..they're in glasses of water, supported by cocktail sticks with a cut down 2 ltr bottle over them like a cloche, they seem to like the extra warmth  ;D

[cornykev]

Lid on or off Scousers. ?   ;D ;D ;D

[manicscousers]

       off ck  ;D

[hazelize_uk]

ooh ill slip one over the top see if that helps! thanks!

[Jitterbug]

Mine also supported by toothpicks suspended in a glass of water.  Loads of root but teeny little shoots.  Will try the cloche idea - might speed things up a bit.

Jitterbug

[LJ]

Silly question....by slips what do you means?? Roots??  ??? and how long should I expect it to take before I see these? I've got mine supported by toothpicks suspended in a glass of water as you have all suggested.

Don't suppose anyone has any pic's??

[cornykev]

Scousers mine are whole in a pint glass should I cut them in half.  ;D ;D ;D

[manicscousers]

this is one of ours  ;D

[cornykev]

Gotcha cheers.  ;D ;D ;D

[LJ]

this is one of ours  ;D

Oh no I've got mine in the other way round with cut bit facing up and curved end in the water!! Does this make any difference Manic??

Silly question....by slips what do you means?? Roots??  ??? and how long should I expect it to take before I see these? I've got mine supported by toothpicks suspended in a glass of water as you have all suggested.

Just found something that looks slips are the shoots?!?! Is this right??

[caseylee]

should the cut bottom of the sweet potatoe just be touching the water or in the water

[LJ]

Good question Caseylee-I've got mine the wrong way up I think......just waiting for someone to let me know if I should be turning them round.........Please help me someone.....anyone.... :'(