Anyway I have now started the process of growing the slips for planting later .... I will try and add step by step photos as I go along (starting in the morning )....
So -here is what you need to do:-
- Scrub the sweet potato with a nailbrush -they are sprayed to stop them from sprutting (so i have read)
- get a shallow tray with holes in the bottom-I'm using a grape tub
- half fill with compost with a little gravel mixed in
- nestle the sweetpotato in the compost mix -so its half burried
- stand in a shallow tray with a litle water in the bottom
- then they like quite a bit of heat -so luckily I have radiators that are about 2" wide and flat on top -so I sit mine on there with the radiator on low. I would think that a warm window sill should be fine, they may just take a little longer to get going
- I just keep checking on them daily and adding a drop more water to the bottom -or misting the top of the compost
- You will find that after a while you will get lots of fine roots on the bottom and then tiny pink buds should start to appear
- eventually they will grow quite tall and sprout leaves
- when they are about 2" tall you simply twist them off -they leave a hole like you have used a potato peeler to take an eye out
- you then set them into your pot/tub -the bottom leaves may wilt -but it doesn't matter... roots will eventually grow out of ther bottom and away you go
I grew mine in a crate last year -they didn't swell very well (they went without water for 3 weeks when I had to go home)...but there were loads of them -so fingers crossed for this year.
Im going to try them in a dustbin this year so they can go deeper -be warned they are invasive so if you set them in the ground -you may get more than you bargained for..
they need 150 days of warmth... so Im going to make a giant plastic shower cap for the dustbin to help keep the warmth in on colder days, and I will put them in the corner that catches the sun !
I'm also starting them now -then when I have the slips Im going to set them in small tubs indoors to get them going before moving them outdoors -Im Hoping it will give them a head start.
Sorry for the waffle.... I will add pics and go through each stage as I come to it ...hopefully it will make more sense then ....
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11th february
Just an update to say that I have the 1st root on my sweet potato...Quicker than I expected,,so Im thrilled, I just wish the weather would warm up so I could make a start on my seeds ..
I will get photos in the morning -its really strange light here at the moment -
2 comments:
Thanks for the tip about scrubbing them MrsM, I tried some last year and only 2 out of 4 sprouted and that took all summer. I've already started some this but there is no sign of sprouting.
I think I'll buy some more and scrub them and have a second pot on the go for slips.
I'm raring to get planting but as we actually had a light snow shower yesterday I think I should hold off a bit longer - no windowsills and no greenhouse.
Deborah
Hi
i have got mine prepared too ,hope the british weather cooperates !!
I plan a busy planting weekend but have problem .............i still have beds full of stuff
Celeriac ,chard,red kale,cavole nero and leeks which need using and cabbages ,PSB and japanese onions still to come
I think the PSB is ok but no spears as yet so a little late i haven't had much luck with brassicas i think due to the sandy soil....................and i just cant do carrots
Shaz mum of 2
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