How to Grow a Sweet Potato Vine: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Grow a Sweet Potato Vine?
To grow a sweet potato vine, start by selecting mature sweet potatoes and placing them in a container with moist potting soil or sand.
Each sweet potato will provide three to five slips.
Harden the slips off to acclimate them to the outdoors before planting.
Plant the slips on top of ridges, with at least two nodes underground and two leaves above ground.
Regular watering is necessary, with a recommended weekly water intake of 0.5 inches after the first two weeks.
Sweet potatoes can be grown in large pots or vertically on trellises.
They require 90 to 120 days to mature and need to be harvested before the first killing frost to prevent damage.
Harvest by gently digging out the tubers by hand.
Curing sweet potatoes is important to keep them longer, heal wounds, and improve quality.
Store properly handled and cured sweet potatoes in a dark location with a temperature of 50 to 60°F.
Voles, mice, and deer can be a problem, so consider using a garden fence or raised beds/containers.
Key Points:
- Select mature sweet potatoes and place them in a container with moist potting soil or sand
- Each sweet potato produces three to five slips
- Harden the slips off before planting
- Plant slips on ridges with at least two nodes underground and two leaves above ground
- Regular watering is necessary, with a recommended weekly intake of 0.5 inches after the first two weeks
- Sweet potatoes can be grown in large pots or vertically on trellises, and require 90 to 120 days to mature and need to be harvested before the first frost
Did You Know?
1. Sweet potatoes are not actually related to regular potatoes. While both belong to the same order, sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.
2. Sweet potato vines can produce beautiful flowers. The flowers are typically white or purple in color and have a trumpet-like shape. However, sweet potatoes are primarily grown for their edible tubers rather than their flowers.
3. The leaves of a sweet potato vine are not only edible but also highly nutritious. They are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as iron and calcium. In some cuisines, the tender leaves are cooked and consumed as a delicious leafy vegetable.
4. Sweet potato vines have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Some cultures believe that the leaves can be applied topically to relieve inflammation, while the juice extracted from the vines is believed to have diuretic properties.
5. Growing sweet potato vines is a great way to add a natural touch to your home decor. These resilient plants can thrive in both indoor pots or hanging baskets, and they are known for their vigorous growth. With proper care, you can train the vines to trail along structures or cascade from hanging containers, creating a visually stunning display.
Introduction To Growing Sweet Potato Vines
Sweet potatoes are a favorite among gardeners for their delicious taste and versatility in cooking. They are native to Central and South America.
- Sweet potatoes thrive in the heat of the summer and are resilient against disease and pests.
- They are not tubers, but true roots called storage roots.
- Varieties of sweet potatoes have flesh ranging from yellow to deep purple.
- The vines of sweet potatoes can have decorative purple stems and lavender or white flowers.
An interesting fact about sweet potatoes is that the Guinness World Record for the biggest sweet potato is a massive 81 pounds and 9 ounces!
Growing sweet potato vines can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to successfully cultivate these plants in your own garden.
Obtaining And Planting Sweet Potato Slips
The first step in growing sweet potato vines is to obtain sweet potato slips, which are sprouts on the previous year’s crop. These slips can be purchased from nurseries or you can grow your own from store-bought sweet potatoes.
To start the process, select mature sweet potatoes and place them in a container filled with moist potting soil or sand.
Each sweet potato will provide three to five slips. After about six to eight weeks, the slips will have sprouted and can be carefully separated from the sweet potato.
Before planting, it is important to harden off the slips, which means gradually acclimating them to the outdoors by exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight and outdoor conditions.
Alternatively, slips can be potted and kept indoors until the weather warms up. Regardless of whether you choose to plant them directly in the ground or in containers, sweet potato plants should be planted three to four weeks after the frost-free date to avoid any potential damage from cool soil.
Cultivating And Caring For Sweet Potato Plants
To ensure the successful growth of sweet potato plants, it is essential to provide them with the right growing conditions. The soil should be loose, well-drained, and enriched with organic matter. Adding compost can help improve soil texture and drainage. Planting the slips on top of ridges is recommended, with at least two nodes underground and two leaves above ground.
Regular watering is necessary, especially during the first two weeks after planting. A recommended weekly water intake of 0.5 inches is sufficient to keep the plants hydrated. It is important to note that sweet potatoes can also be grown in large pots or vertically on trellises, allowing for maximum space utilization in the garden.
Sweet potatoes are known for their rapid and dense growth, which shades the soil and helps suppress weed growth. They thrive in hot, dry weather and are sensitive to overwatering. In areas with high temperatures, providing shade during the day can be beneficial for the health of the plants.
Harvesting And Curing Sweet Potatoes
After 90 to 120 days of growth, sweet potatoes are ready to be harvested. It is important to harvest them before the first killing frost to prevent any damage to the roots. The leaves of the plant will begin to turn yellow as a sign that the sweet potatoes are ready for harvest.
If the leaves are burned by frost, it is recommended to harvest the sweet potatoes immediately to prevent decay. To harvest, gently dig out the tubers by hand, carefully digging in the top 8 to 10 inches of soil to avoid damaging the delicate roots.
Once the sweet potatoes are harvested, they need to be cured to keep them longer, heal wounds, and improve their flavor. To cure sweet potatoes, place them in a single layer in plastic bags with high humidity, ensuring that the bags are closed tightly with slits for aeration. The bags should be placed in a sunny part of the house with a high temperature.
The curing process usually takes two weeks. For further sweetening, individual sweet potatoes can be wrapped in newspapers and stored in a cool place for six weeks. Properly handled and cured sweet potatoes stored in a dark location with a temperature of 50 to 60°F should store well until spring.
- Harvest sweet potatoes before the first killing frost.
- Gently dig out the tubers by hand to avoid damaging the roots.
- Cure sweet potatoes to keep them longer, heal wounds, and improve flavor.
- Place cured sweet potatoes in plastic bags for two weeks, closed tightly with slits for aeration.
- Store sweet potatoes in a dark location with a temperature of 50 to 60°F for optimum storage until spring.
Dealing With Common Problems And Pests
While sweet potatoes are relatively easy to grow, they can still be vulnerable to certain problems and pests. Voles, mice, and deer can pose a threat to sweet potatoes, so it is recommended to install a garden fence or consider growing them in raised beds or containers to protect them from these potential threats.
One common disease that affects sweet potatoes is scurf, which appears as dark spots on the skin but does not affect the edibility of the sweet potatoes. To control this disease, it is recommended to rotate crops and maintain acidic soil.
Sweet potato vines are also susceptible to leaf fungus and pests such as the golden tortoise beetle, aphids, and caterpillars. Regular scouting for these pests and applying appropriate organic insecticides can help manage their populations and keep the plants healthy.
As a cover crop, sweet potatoes are recommended by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations due to their ability to thrive in hot, dry weather and their rapid growth, which helps shade the soil and compete with weed seeds.
- Voles, mice, and deer can pose a threat to sweet potatoes
- Install a garden fence or consider growing them in raised beds or containers
- One common disease is scurf, which appears as dark spots on the skin
- Rotate crops and maintain acidic soil to control scurf
- Sweet potato vines are susceptible to leaf fungus, golden tortoise beetle, aphids, and caterpillars
- Regular scouting for pests and applying organic insecticides can manage their populations
- Sweet potatoes are recommended as a cover crop by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations due to their ability to thrive in hot, dry weather and rapid growth, which shades the soil and competes with weed seeds.
Propagating Sweet Potato Vines From Stem Cuttings
Propagation of sweet potato vines can be done through stem cuttings. To propagate, submerge the bottom half of the stem cutting in water and wait for roots to develop.
Once the roots have grown, the cutting can be planted in well-drained soil. This method allows gardeners to expand their sweet potato vine collection and create new plants for their garden.
Tip: Submerge the bottom half of the stem cutting in water to encourage root development.
Overall, growing sweet potato vines can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With proper care and attention to their specific needs, these plants can thrive and produce delicious and nutritious sweet potatoes.
- To propagate sweet potato vines, submerge the bottom half of the stem cutting in water.
- Once roots have grown, plant the cutting in well-drained soil.
So go ahead, start growing your own sweet potato vine today and enjoy the beauty and bounty it brings to your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start growing a sweet potato vine?
To start growing a sweet potato vine, begin by placing a sweet potato into a jar. Make sure to leave about 1-inch space between the water and the top of the jar and fill it with water. Keep the sweet potato plant in a well-lit area with moderate to full sunlight, maintaining a room temperature above 65 degrees. Monitor the water levels regularly and add more water as needed to promote healthy growth.
Can sweet potato vine grow indoors?
Yes, sweet potato vine can be grown indoors as a houseplant. It can be cultivated in smaller containers with a trellis to support the vines as they grow upward. Not only does this plant add a touch of vibrant lime green foliage to your indoor space, but you can also enjoy the delightful option of eating the sweet potato leaves.
Will sweet potato vines climb?
Sweet potato vines, although naturally crawlers, have the potential to cling and climb when guided on a sturdy trellis. By growing sweet potatoes vertically and weaving the vines through a trellis, you can not only ease the harvesting process but also save valuable space in your garden or containers. However, it is essential to bear in mind that while sweet potato vines have the ability to climb, they do not possess the true climbing capabilities seen in plants like beans or peas. Nonetheless, with the right support, sweet potato vines can be trained to ascend and create a visually appealing vertical display.
Can sweet potato vine grow in water?
Yes, sweet potato vine can indeed grow in water. By placing a sweet potato in a container of water and ensuring that the top 1/3 is exposed, a vine with multiple stems will start to grow after a few weeks. This process, known as water propagation, allows the sweet potato to develop roots in the water while sprouting stems above. The vine’s growth in water presents an interesting and convenient method for propagating sweet potato plants.