Sweet Potatoes!

ocailleagh · Mon May 12, 2008 12:42 pm

I've just found 3 sweet potatoes in various stages of sprouting at the bottom of my vegetable rack

2 of them have quite healthy looking 'vinelets' on them, the third is just beginning to sprout. Think its worth planting them? And would I be able to get away with putting them in containers?

chadspad · Post: # 102414Post **chadspad** » Mon May 12, 2008 3:12 pm

Are there several vines from one potato? If so, cut the spud in half or thirds or however many times there are vines and plant them like that. Dont see why they wont work in a pot, I grew mine in a large tyre last year. as long as theres enuf room for them to produce under ground they should be fine!

kiwirach · Post: # 102438Post **kiwirach** » Mon May 12, 2008 4:25 pm

do you cover them over completely or leave the 'eye' to catch the light?.

i've planted 3 but not sure of i should have them completely covered or not!.

chadspad · Post: # 102442Post **chadspad** » Mon May 12, 2008 4:39 pm

I planted them completely. They do take a long time to sprout so be patient!

Peggy Sue · Tue May 13, 2008 1:21 pm

I've been waiting about 6 weeks for mine to sprout, and am wondering if my patience is in vain????

chadspad · Post: # 102712Post **chadspad** » Tue May 13, 2008 2:00 pm

Have u taken them out and looked? I had cut mine into chunks where the eyes were and planted them. Unless the piece of potato has gone completely soft and mouldy, I would say leave it alone. They did take a long time to sprout.

Peggy Sue · Tue May 13, 2008 3:06 pm

I'll have a peek tonight!

adekun · Post: # 102821Post **adekun** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:04 pm

Over here you can buy a bundle of slips. These are buried at an angle (some people flush), leaving the new growth protruding. I think you should aim to get at least two nodes underground. Spacing is usually about 45cm x 90 cm.

ocailleagh · Wed May 14, 2008 7:05 pm

Oops! I forgot I posted this!
There are several vines coming out of one end, they're all pretty close together though so I'm not sure about cutting them into pieces. Should I just cut the viney ends off and plant them? And how big a container will I need? Or rather, how small a container can I get away with?

I'd love to do it in stacked tyres (and normal potatoes too) but its my parents' garden that I use and my dad is not up for that plan at all.

Peggy Sue · Thu May 15, 2008 9:12 am

Sadly my sweet potato seems to be going a bit mouldy and soft

I guess I won't get any slips now... is it too late to try a new one?