The sweet murphy , Ipomoea batatas , is a magnanimous , stiff , sweet , tuberous root vegetable . Although wide believed to be from the Irish potato kin , sweet potatoes are really from themorning glory sept .
Sweet potatoes rise as a herbaceous perennial vine with long , point tuberous roots . The etymon hail in a variety show of colors , ranging from beige , brown , chickenhearted , orange , red , and purple .
The flesh of the root also has varying shadiness ranging from white , beige , yellow-bellied , orangish , pinkish , red-faced , and purple . But pale - dark-skinned sweet-flavored potatoes are less sweet than those with orange , or crimson flesh .
sweet-smelling murphy vine are stout and will grow in zones 8 through 11 on theUSDA plant hardiness zones .
They grow comfortably at average temperature of about 75 ° atomic number 9 with 30 - 39 in of annual rainfall .
angelical murphy vines like moderate moisture , but are raw to water - logging . badly drain develop metier will causetuber rotand slim down ontogeny in the flora .
fresh potatoes can grow in a all-inclusive chain of climatical circumstance . Thus , they are idealistic for widespread refinement . All they need is well - drained , light to medium - textured soil at a pH of between 4.5 and 7 .
However , they need dirt treat with lime in areas wherealuminum toxicitymight be an issue . They are highly sensitive to aluminum and will die if the stain is not treated with burnt lime .
Here are famous characteristic of the sweet potato plant :
Note : Many masses in North America bear on to mellifluous potato as “ yams . ” However , sweet potatoes are very discrete from yams . Yams ( Oxalis tuberosa ) , also known as Oca in Polynesia , are an exclusively different plant . They have brown , barque - like skin , and when cooked , have white stiff flesh .
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers
Typically , uprise sweet potatoes requires a lot of space . But with a few plantation owner and a bit of inventiveness , you could uprise them in small spaces .
Here ’s what you need to do to produce sweet potato in container :
Step # 1: Select a Variety Suitable for Growing in Containers
sweet-scented potatoes usually grow in sprawling vines . They unfold across the land , developing stem where the vines meet the dirt . But if you have limited space , this will not do .
Thankfully , you could plant some multifariousness of the sweet potato in containers . All you have to do is insure that you get the right cultivar and abig enough container .
midget varieties with heavyset vines are the most ideal for pot . you’re able to even school them to grow upwards usingstakes and treillage .
The most popular container varieties include :
Keep in mind there are many more cultivars to prefer from . Consult your local garden nerve center , or semen and specialty catalogue for more options .
Note : When imbed sweet Irish potato , you useready to plant slips . Not seeded player murphy like withregular potatoes .
Step # 2: Select the Right Container
Not all containers are created adequate ! This is the first rule when picking out a container to raise your scented potatoes in .
choose for containers made explicitly for potato growing . These make best and are cheap compared to plastic or ceramic alternative .
If unavailable , you may repurpose any large containers . At least two three-dimensional feet in volume is necessary for sweet Irish potato Tuber to expand .
whisky barrels and big Lucius Clay containers also make excellent potato platers . However , shy out from credit card or metallic element containers .
Ensure whatever planter you choose has enough holes at the bottom . Proper root aeration and drainage is critical when growing sweet tater . But do n’t make the holes so big that the planting medium settle out .
or else , you may go for a potato acquire bagful . These are specially contrive to provide root aeration and decent drain . They also make the harvesting process easier once the potatoes mature . Simply lift the bag and dump the content into a garden cart .
Step # 3: Select the right location
locating is cardinal in assure the succeeder of your potted sweet murphy . Pick a spot with southern exposure , so the sweet potatoes get full Sunday .
Your spot should also be relatively warm to keep the growing sweet potato slips healthy . recall , they are extremely sensitive to frost and will die if exposed .
Ensure the temperature at the spot you cull never drops below 60 ° F .
Also , keep in mind that the planters get quite heavy . The area should be able to support this extra weight . Ideally , an field where you wo n’t have to move the containers often .
Step # 4: Use the right soil
dulcet potato plants prefermoist soil , but do n’t like to sit down in water . A good planting mixing is compulsory when spring up sweet potato slips in a container .
you’re able to amend a growing sensitive with compost , grit , andhigh potashfertilizer to accomplish an ideal portmanteau .
How to Propagate Sweet Potato Slips
dulcet potatoes can be propagated either throughsexual or asexualmeans .
However , sexual multiplication – through actual sweet white potato vine seed , is only of interest to plant stock breeder and geneticist .
For farmers and gardeners , asexual reproduction is the most common method to propagate sweet potatoes .
plant with sizable foliation are idealistic for this method acting of generation .
1. Propagation from Stem Cuttings
Propagation by stem cuttingsis the quickest , most economical method acting of vine reproduction .
To reproduce sweet-scented potatoes using this method acting , take cut from the bakshis of youthful stem . The cuttings should be between 8 – 16 inch , with three to five increase buds .
Plant these sweetened tater cut at a pitch . And leave about 1 to 1.5 inches above the earth .
take note : Only take the cuttings when you are ready to plant . Keep them in the nicety until the moment you establish them . The cuttings are very delicate , and will not keep for farseeing .
generation using slip is only feasible if you have vine growing all year around . This gain them less ideal for gardener who acquire their crops annually in containers or small gardens .
gratefully , this is where the 2d sweet potato propagation method acting comes in !
2. Propagation from Slips
If you do n’t have access to sweet potato plants with enough leafy growth for cutting , slips are the way to go .
Here , you could either propagate your own or buy quick to plant slips .
If you decide to buy , do so when it ’s warm enough ( 60 ° F – 65 ° F ) to plant sprouting sweet murphy steal immediately . unseasoned slips are delicate and do n’t wish cold weather or frost .
Topropagate sweet tater slips , you’re able to utilise the tubers you already have at hand . Whether they ’re from the foodstuff storehouse or leftover from last year ’s crop .
Be trusted to find fault one that are blemish and disease - innocent to produce healthy slip .
A single sweet murphy tuber can germinate several 12 slips . You might need a few tubers bet on how many slips you wish to produce .
Once you ’ve selected your headliner tubers , here ’s what you involve to do to pop out slips for establish :
observe : It ’s better to use distilled water when grow teddy . Heavily chlorinate tap piss might forestall the tubers from stock .
Preparing Your Sweet Potato Slips for Planting
When the slips are six to eight inches long , they are ready for transplanting into the containers . But first , you have to separate them into individual slickness .
To do this , you should :
notice : Like with any other seedlings , you require to harden off your sweet white potato elusion . you’re able to do this by gradually infix the slips to outdoor conditions . Do this one to two calendar week before breaking them off themother honeyed murphy .
How to Plant Sweet Potato Slips
The secret to an splendid sweet tater crop is promiscuous , well - drained soil . repair your planting medium with muckle of compost to achieve a well - aerated mix .
Sweet potatoes are light-colored feeders , but they do appreciate phosphorus and potassium . Work in a balanced organic fertilizer into your medium before imbed your slips .
However , avoid high N fertilizers . These encourage foliage growth at the expense of the tubers .
peak : from time to time , some sweet potatoes might glance through to the top of the soil . If you detect this , deal them with a bit of scandal to keep them out of direct sun .
And , just like with other white potato , do not eat them if they turn green .
sweet-smelling potatoes mature after about90 to 170 days . story for this when planting to prevent your crop from getting capture in thefirst fall frost . Cold temperatures , even in maturity , could damage your yields .
Note : Sweet white potato vine vine are extremely frost - sore . institute them at least 3 to 4 week after the last frost , when it ’s decent and strong .
How to Care for Your Sweet Potatoes in Cold Weather
Sweet potato vines die in stale weather . But with proper care , they can survive the chilly wintertime and sprout again get spring .
Here ’s what you need to do to protect your plants from the cold :
Winter Protection
Place your sweet potatoes against a cheery , south - face bulwark in a flatus - sheltered domain .
sphere with southern exposure typically receive more sunlight , specially during winter . And as we experience , sweet potatoes like full sun .
Also , wind aegis is vital in regulate the temperature and preventingfreeze harm .
In the event of hoarfrost in your area , irrigate your sweet potato plants and cover them with plastic sheeting . you may do this by suspend the plastic sheet over the vines using wager . you’re able to also weigh down the plastic sheeting around the edges with rocks to keep out the moth-eaten air .
The plastic sheets create a temporary greenhouse core around your sweet potatoes , shielding them from the cold .
In addition , you could also use outdoor - rated lamp to help oneself warm up your sweet Irish potato .
Replanting in the Spring
Prepare the planters in the fond spring atmospheric condition after any prospect of frost has passed .
Mix in a generous amount of compost with your planting medium and see it ’s interracial well .
Remember to confirm that the soiltemperature is at least 60˚Fbefore planting a sweet Irish potato . Usually , the soil temperature gets to 60 ° farad after the aviation temperature has been above 65 ° atomic number 9 for a few weeks .
How to Harvest and Store Potted Sweet Potatoes
You will lie with your odorous tater areready for harvestwhen the leaves and vines start to wrench xanthous . This usually takes about 3 to 4 months , calculate on the cultivar .
But the longer you leave the crops in the potty , thehigher the yield and vitamin subject matter . Just be sure not to go away them out long after the vines die , or first twilight frost sets in . Otherwise , the tubers will start to waste .
If you care to eat theleaves as greens , you may pick them in moderateness throughout . pick a few leaves might even aid advance yields .
The genus Tuber arise bigger when you keep the vine from growing too big . This direction , the fresh white potato plant life spends less energy on grow leaves and more on the roots .
Once you are ready to glean :
Once you ’ve harvested all your sweet-flavored potatoes , you involve to bring around them . The curing processhelps the potato flesh sweeten up . It also heals the small scratches and bruises on the skin for long term repositing .
To bring around your white potato , keep them in a quick place ( about 80˚F ) at high humidity ( about 90 % ) for two weeks . A board place in a shaded orbit will act .
For good results , ensure that the potatoes are not touch during the curing process .
After the curing process , discard any injure potatoes . Wrap the rest separately in newspapers and pack them carefully in a basket or wooden boxful .
Store the cured spud in cool , dark places between 55˚F to 60˚F.
Aroot root cellar , basement , or any other such position should work out fine .
Be gentle when handling the Solanum tuberosum , like when moving , them to and from entrepot .
cure potatoes can keep for up to 6 months .
Pest and Disease Control in Potted Sweet Potato Plants
The sweet-scented potato works is a hardy plant that can hold out most condition . Well , other than Robert Lee Frost and waterlogging .
However , there are also a few pestilence and diseases your flora might be susceptible to .
Thankfully , you’re able to avert these by using disease - resistant cultivars and indorse disease - loose slips .
Other common pests and diseases you might encounter are :
I. Sweet Potato Weevils
Sweet tater weevils puncture the vines and tubers to lay their eggs . The larvae tunnel and provender on the genus Tuber while fledged weevils mostly attack the vine and leaf .
you’re able to identify these weevil by their dark blue school principal and wings and reddish bodies .
They can cause significant damage to your crops because they spread groundwork rot . And since they multiply quickly , they can be hard to command and eliminate .
The best grade of action at law if you notice weevils , is to put down infected plant and their roots . instead , you may foreclose infestation by using certified disease - resistive slips when planting .
II. Fungal Diseases
Sweet potatoes can sometimes keep moisture under their foliation . The result warm and dampish conditions are ideal for fungal disease to acquire and spread . These include diseases like :
you could make your vine less conducive for fungous growth and infection by :
Sweet tater are among thehealthiest foods on the planet . They are full of essential vitamin and food and are a great source of dietary fibre . And as with many foods , they are healthiest when arise organically .
But farm sugared potatoes , or any crop with modified spaces , can be a challenge . Even more so if you are turn the industrial plant in container .
But with the help of online resources likeGardening Channel , you take not care . Here you could get all the gardening pourboire and conjuration you will need to realize your horticulture dreams .
Photo fromPexelsbyJohn Lambeth
