Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: finchy on May 09, 2007, 23:31:31

Title: Kumara Slips
Post by: finchy on May 09, 2007, 23:31:31
 ;D A bit of a cheeky request, but I missed the boat on producing my Kumara slips. I dont suppose anyone would be so kind as to send me some if the have excess?. I will obviously cover all costs.

Been eating these for the past few months from Sains and only just read the post regarding growing them yourself! Never occurred to me when I was munchin on them. they taste great! :)

Hope theres someone out there who can help!
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: Jeannine on May 09, 2007, 23:33:44
T&M have them XX Jeannine
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: finchy on May 09, 2007, 23:47:02
Jeannine, I canny find them on their website. Am I going crazy?!?
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: Tora on May 10, 2007, 09:32:06
I'm sorry I can't offer slips, as I have only just enough for myself but if you don't have any luck here try starting from Sainsbury's tuber now. Kumara is really quick to sprout.  :)
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: manicscousers on May 10, 2007, 09:38:15
there you go, finchy, not kumara though..£8.99 inc p&p, but it's while stocks last
grow your own magazine,
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/
by phone or mail
gyo june offers, dept grr9585, thompson & morgan
po box 162
ipswich
ip83bx
if you've a credit or debit card, phone 01473 695 225
sweet potato twin pack, 5 slips each of t65 and beauregard improved
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: machman5 on May 10, 2007, 16:01:34
 ??? Please somebody, enlighten me!  What is a Kumara Slip? :-\

I think there may be a clue in Manics reply, is it a tater? ::)

Donna xx
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: triffid on May 10, 2007, 16:15:26
Donna, Kumara is a variety of sweet potato from New Zealand.  :)

All sweet potatoes are grown from 'slips' -- sprouts that grow from the eyes of the parent sweet potato and which can then be broken off.

[Edit] I've found an old thread with a good picture by MikeB of how slips are grown. Scroll down here to see:
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,16966.0/topicseen,topicseen
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: machman5 on May 13, 2007, 18:51:16
Thanx Triff,  I have never tasted sweet potato.  :D

I will try them (love the sound of the recipe from Trixiebelle) and then maybe grow them next year. 

I have read through the thread and get how to start them and plant them out but do you happen to know if they grow on just like normal potatoes? :-\

Donna xx
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: saddad on May 13, 2007, 18:55:39
They grow on fine if it is warm enough... but need a long season so may need protection later on...
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/SweetPotaot.jpg)
;D
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: machman5 on May 13, 2007, 19:00:32
Oh my God!! :o  Is that your Greenhouse Saddad?  I am well jealous!!

I notice they grow quite big so would be tricky to protect on the lootie or would fleece do? :-\

Donna xx
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: saddad on May 13, 2007, 19:04:32
Sadly not my greenhouse... just managed to borrow a corner, it belongs to our site's Schools Horticultural centre..
;D
Title: Re: Kumara Slips
Post by: Kea on May 15, 2007, 12:45:10
My kumara have been sitting in their jars doing nothing for weeks now practically overnight I suddenly have a bunch of 1" shoots with leaves. The one left downstairs on the north facing window sill has done nothing. The one with the shoots is south facing though I was originally worried it would burn in the hot weather we had in April so didn't move it there until we started getting lots of rain.
Sorry not enough to give away but obviously if you sit it in the right place it's still possible.