Sweet Potatoes.

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:29 pm Post subject: Sweet Potatoes.

Would love to plant Sweet Potatoes, I know Dobies Seeds in England supply plants, Anyone in Ireland? Are their any members who have done so with success.

kernow · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:56 am Post subject:

Early in the year buy a sweet potato
Give it a scrub all over
Place it in a glass of water with just the bottom in the water (support the potato with matchsticks)
Eventually side shoots will develop
Remove these shoots when about 3"-4"
Plant
They will grow to be quite tall.
They need to be warm perhaps in a polytunnel

Seedling · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:02 pm Post subject:

I tried this about 8 weeks ago (albeit without scrubbing the sweet potato first) and they are still sitting suspended in the cups of water with no sign of a shoot appearing.

See the link below for sucess using this approach.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_sweetpotatoes.html

Don't know why it didn't work for me. Maybe the variety?!?!

kernow · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:12 pm Post subject:

Its the scrubbing that allows the tuber to shoot it apears that there is something they are dipped in to prevent this.

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 3:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the above folks, Thinking of trying the above when tunnel is empty, September ish, probably to late but sure nothing ventured nothing gained,

Blowin · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 5:34 am Post subject:

I can vouch for the Dobies plug plants. They come in bespoke plastic containers in strong cardboard boxes and are fresh on arrival. You may prefer the DIY method in a glass but this is a workable option if not.

However ............ when I tried them last year - no tunnel or greenhouse, I'm afraid - they just sat in the soil and never moved so this tends to bear out the need to grow them in a warm environment

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject:

Sorry Blowin for not replying sooner, was away for last 3-4 weeks, have the makings of a cloche 3ft high x 2ft6in x 15ft long. might try the sweet spud in that next may, let you know if I do.

stephen gibson · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:40 pm Post subject: sweet patatos

hombase are selling sweet patato plants suttons one very good at the moment for €2 for six plants and so are b&q i grew them outside last year and had a few small one so its greenhouse now this week

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that steven, are you saying they can be planted now? will they grow through the autumn? any info on how they grow? are they like a spud plant? are they a vine? a bush? Do the plants come with full info? Definitly looking for a homebase in the midlands in the morning.