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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: manicscousers on October 04, 2009, 17:26:28

Title: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 04, 2009, 17:26:28
these are what we can see, from the one cutting that survived overwinter, I'm taking twice as many cuttings this year  ;D
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: bedrockdave on October 04, 2009, 18:01:34
is it ready for harvesting yet...Its my second time growing them ,last year they never did anything  but have masses of growth this year but don't know when to dig them up
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: PAULW on October 04, 2009, 18:44:42
MS
When did you take the cuttings and where did you keep them overwinter.
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 04, 2009, 19:59:10
bedrockdave, saddad usually takes his up in half term october, I think..I'll leave it a little longer, hope the frost doesn't touch it, I know they don't like cold.
paulw..I kept them in the small bedroom by the window, also on the dry side, took them about now, I've taken 3 off this plant today..the spare room is heated but only on low.
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: PAULW on October 04, 2009, 20:15:05
MS
Thanks for that will give it a go
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 04, 2009, 20:21:20
I started with 12 cuttings last year, Paul..v difficult to keep alive but I can kill mint  ;D
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: Eristic on October 04, 2009, 20:24:39
All I've got is leaves.

(http://downtheplot.com/images/2009/batatas_yacon_sept_09.jpg)
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 04, 2009, 20:58:01
there might be treasure underneath  ;D
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: aggie on October 06, 2009, 21:49:41
manicscousers   You should read Ceres advice on Sweet potato on page 15, he and quite a few others give lots of advice on sweet potatoes. 
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: saddad on October 06, 2009, 21:58:39
Mine are in the big greenhouse though... I sold some on to a plotholder who has them under plastic (black on the ground) and when we had a peak last week they were looking good.
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 06, 2009, 22:05:04
when are you thinking of digging yours up, david?
do you wait until first frosts?
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: saddad on October 06, 2009, 22:07:40
As you say October half term is about right... his under Plastic I'm worried the slugs will start nibbling as he's not here as often now it's coming to the end of the season...  :-\
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 06, 2009, 22:12:04
will try to leave mine in, need to take more cuttings  ;D
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on October 07, 2009, 19:18:31
You can use the leaves like spinach.
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 14, 2009, 15:43:40
well, we finally dug up the sweet potato from a cutting..we got 4lb of roots  ;D
so, how long will they store for, we're keeping them in the little bedroom, slightly warm in a mesh bag  ???
leaving the other 3 in the ground for a couple more weeks, I think we're only going to get 'fingers' from them, I've taken 15 cuttings for next year  ;D
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: thifasmom on October 14, 2009, 15:56:43
i just found this link hope it helps, and well done :)
http://www.ag.fvsu.edu/teletips/vegetables/161.cfm (http://www.ag.fvsu.edu/teletips/vegetables/161.cfm)
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 14, 2009, 16:07:51
thanks, thifasmom, just got to find somewher in the house that's 85 degrees now we haven't got an airing cupboard any more  ;D
just would like some for Christmas dinner  :)
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: flowerlady on October 14, 2009, 16:45:33
I have just discovered I have a sweet spud with 3" growth on it ... how can I preserve it to plant and grow on next year ??  :-\
Title: Re: sweet potatoes 09
Post by: manicscousers on October 14, 2009, 19:22:25
I don't know if it will work, flo but we've put some of the roots with roots(the small ones) in some compost, just to see how they go  :)