I have four sweet potato plants to go in. Has anyone grown them up wigwams before? how big should my canes be?
Many thanks
I let mine sprawl... but it is supposed to be better if it climbs... I'd wory more about the weight of foliage... need very thick "canes"... mine got to about 10' on the level... :-\
Thanks saddad. So the little 3ft cane wigwam I had in mind won't do ! I will let them sprawl too then.
I've got some planted in the ground but most are growing in tall buckets this year both in the polytunnel and outside.
(http://downtheplot.com/images/batatas_june.jpg)
They're miles bigger than mine ! I just planted them out today. Are you letting them all sprawl or growing them up something?
3 are growing up canes but all the rest are sprawling all over the place. With any luck the first flowers will be out next week. The idea of growing in buckets is that if they get to be too much of a pain they can be evicted to a more suitable spot yet easily returned to cover in the autumn for a longer growing season.
Last year I planted them out in a row and the early frosts knocked them down when the roots were only as thick as fingers and thumbs.
There are still surplus plants if anyone cares to collect.