I have grown sweet potatoes for the first time:-
(http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allsweetoctober.jpg)
They are rather pathetic, see how I did it on my new page:-
http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_sweetpotatoes.html
I shall be pleased to receive any tips for the future.
have read your page - well done on getting some even if dissapointingly small think I may have a go next year as well...following your steps!!
will let you know what happens
sue
I would like to have a go too .....do they have to be grown indoors or can they be grown in the allotment?
Duke
Better under glass, but make sure the water gets away from the stem or you may just get this!! ::)
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/SPot1.jpg)
That was two years ago, the hot August we had, these (below) were grown outside under Black polythene the same year.
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/SweetPots.jpg)
These were grown under glass last year, not dug this years yet!
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/DSCN2046.jpg)
Superb Saddad, but how did you do it?
Don't waste the leaves. Cook them like spinach.
how do i know when to dig mine is there some sign like with spuds? by the way they have spread like mad ;D
Patience.
eristic im not in any rush to dig them up im just not sure when i should do it and if they show signs of being ready to dig, i have never grown them before and to be honest im not expecting a crop due to the dodgy weather
don't forget to cure them. Since if you don't cure them, they will not taste there best.
first lot, think they dried out then got lots of rain, so we got splits ???
also, we won't feed them with chicken pellets, too much nitrogen, too much top growth and flowers ;D
id be pleased if i have any like that
Well Manics,
What is it in the North West that leads to twisty little sweet potatoes?
Mine are still in the ground. I read somewhere (RHS maybe?) that they need 5 frost-free months so I think the weather will decide when they get dug up. I planted mine inside a coldframe and was able to wrestle the vines back inside the frame to close it last week when we had the light frost. Since the weather's now fine and warm, I'm leaving them be for now.
Mine would still be in the ground, but we had a sharp frost a week ago that withered all their leaves so I'm digging them up. They are on the small side this year, and some are badly split, but I am still quite pleased with them considering what a terrible summer it has been.
Before the frost I took some cuttings, and they are in a jug of water with nice little roots starting to show. I am so glad I didn't put it off until too late.
I think mine may have got hit last night. I think the temperature was a lot lower than the 8c the BBC forecast based on which I didn't close the coldframe. :(
I've got a couple of plants that I didn't use this year - have kept them in small pots and will try overwintering them.
In response to your question Allabout... T+M slips (Beauregard) planted in the big greenhouse and basically left alone... apart from the odd watering.
;D
Artichoke,
I am interested in your cuttings. Have you a photo?
Presumably you will overwinter them and plant them early, so which bit do you use for the cuttings?
Sorry, I haven't worked out how to do photos. The cuttings are the leafy growing tips of the plants, maybe 8 inches in length, just torn off before the frost and put into a big jug of water. No skill involved; it's like rooting a handful of mint or basil etc.
Roots are showing now after about 2 weeks. Soon I'll put them into pots of compost and trim them a bit while they settle down. I find they end up bigger than slips off the tubers.
Last year I let them twine around a bit over the winter and spring, but this year I plan to cut them back and encourage bushiness.
I love your website.
these are ours, all rooted up ..now we just have to keep them alive over winter ;D