Growing sweet potatoes from seeds is not the typical method used by gardeners. Unlike many other vegetables, sweet potatoes are not started from seeds. Instead, they are grown from slips, which are shoots that are grown from a mature sweet potato.
To grow sweet potatoes from slips, you will need a mature sweet potato that has not been treated with any chemicals or sprout inhibitors. Choose a healthy sweet potato with a few sprouts or “eyes” on its surface. You can find suitable sweet potatoes at a local nursery or grocery store.
Here are the steps to grow sweet potatoes from slips:
1. Prepare the sweet potato: Place the sweet potato in a warm location (around 70-80°F or 21-27°C) with indirect sunlight. Allow the sweet potato to sprout by leaving it undisturbed for a few weeks.
2. Create slips: Once the sweet potato has sprouted, you can create slips. Carefully remove the sprouts from the sweet potato by gently twisting or cutting them off. Each slip should be around 6-8 inches long.
3. Prepare the slips for planting: Before planting the slips, you need to prepare them by removing any leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the stem. This will help the slips establish roots more easily.
4. Plant the slips: Dig a hole in your garden bed or container that is deep enough to accommodate the slips. Place each slip in the hole, burying the bottom two-thirds of the stem and leaving the top third exposed. Space the slips about 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper growth.
5. Care for the slips: Water the slips regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Sweet potatoes prefer well-draining soil, so make sure the water can drain away easily. Provide the slips with full sun or partial shade, depending on your climate.
6. Monitor and maintain: As the slips grow, keep an eye out for pests and diseases. Remove any weeds that may compete with the sweet potato plants for nutrients and water. Sweet potatoes can be susceptible to pests like aphids and sweet potato weevils, so take appropriate measures to control them if necessary.
7. Harvesting: Sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow and die back. Carefully dig around the plant to avoid damaging the tubers. Harvesting too early will result in smaller sweet potatoes, while waiting too long may lead to rotting or damage.
After harvesting your sweet potatoes, it is important to cure them before storing. Curing helps to toughen the skin and convert starches to sugars, resulting in sweeter and better-tasting sweet potatoes. To cure sweet potatoes, place them in a warm and humid location (around 80-85°F or 27-29°C) for about 10-14 days. After curing, store the sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, and dark place for long-term storage.
Growing sweet potatoes from slips can be a rewarding experience. It allows you to control the quality and variety of the sweet potatoes you grow, and with proper care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest.
