sweet potatoes (forum)

sue starts with ...
hello, havent been on for a while, please can anyone tell me HOW to grow sweet potatoes?thank you sue

Time: 3rd October 2009 3:31pm

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Julie says...
Hi sue. Buy a whole sweet potato. Put in a warm place,half covered with soil. It will make long shoots,called 'slips'.

Pick these off carefully and plant in the garden. Each one will make a plant. Hurry, as this is usually done in September, but probably OK now, as we have had such a late spring.

Time: 3rd October 2009 6:53pm

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sue says...
thank you so much julie, can you tell me how many potatoes will grow off the one? sue

Time: 4th October 2009 12:40pm

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Julie says...
It probably depends on how well you feed and water them. I can't remember, as I haven't grown them for some years.

Apparently, pruning off the tips gives you a bigger harvest. You can use these in a stir fry, they are quite nice to eat.

Sweet potatoes need plenty of space, they do ramble around.

Time: 4th October 2009 8:05pm

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amanda says...
Hey Julie - I have got my sweet potatoe all ready 2 go...does that soil need to be damp/wet/dry? do u lay it longways or pointing up? Also - in the dark or on bench ok? Pardon my daft Qu's - I haven't tried this B4 - thanks for the tips!

Time: 5th October 2009 4:11pm

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Julie says...
Keep it moist amanda, and don't cover it too much, almost sitting on top of the soil. Lay it lengthways.

I'm not sure if dark or light makes any difference - I kept mine in a sunny spot in a box. I covered it with an old sheet of glass to keep it warm and moist.

Now the weather has warmed up, that's probably not necessary. Good luck!

Time: 5th October 2009 6:03pm

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sue says...
hi julie, ive got a silly question too, do they grow in the ground or run along it? hi amanda up the road!!! sue

Time: 6th October 2009 8:51pm

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Julie says...
The potatoes grow in the ground, but the vines can take root sometimes and make new plants. Don't let this happen, as it will crowd out your plants.

The vines run along the ground.

Time: 6th October 2009 9:00pm

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amanda says...
Hi Julie - if we have lots of room....does the place the runners take root grow more sw.pot's do u think?
Hi Sue!

Time: 7th October 2009 9:34am

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Diana says...
I heard that sweet potatoes are good soil improvers (they do the digging for you and add mulch). I planted six (tubers from the markets, no sprouting first or anything) lengthwise just under the soil in some compressed clay next to the house with a little bit of can mulch, and after about six months we had wall-to-wall sweet potatoes and much fluffier soil. They are about 18 months old now. We bandicoot them by looking for a bump where the stems emerge from the soil and levering them up, but they are doing such a good job giving us shade on the nearby trellis, that I don't want to dig them all up at once. Apparently they don't keep well out of the ground. I'm really pleased with them. They require no care at all, not even watering once established (they must be using water from the tubers once they have a few). The orange kumera type out-competed the purple type.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 7th October 2009 12:55pm

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Young shoots (about 20 cm long) , boil until soften, drain and stir fry in olive oil with lots of crushed garlic, salt, pepper = Heaven

Time: 7th October 2009 1:42pm

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amanda says...
Thanks Diana.. I am going to experiment with both methods now.. I find transplanting (and tubestock) tricky at this time of the year due to wind and no rain...small things with small root balls need lots of water to get their roots down fast b4 the heat hits..so the tip of growing them in-situ is great.

Time: 8th October 2009 10:20am

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battler says...
Does anyone know where to get growing stock. My pop is desperate to grow some and tried some he bought at the market only to find out that they are treated and will never shoot! Would appreciate any help, thanks Battler

Time: 30th September 2010 8:23pm

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au0rey says...
Hi battler, i bought 6 last spring...they were tiny pots from bunnings but came out on in december. It could be too cold right now (as i am in melbourne). Otherwise you may like to buy shop tubers with 'eyes' and stand cut halves in shallow water in warm place and they may shoot. i read that from a gardening mag. not sure if they work though was from mag, cos they may be treated like many vege.

Yes young leaves when stir fried with lots garlic is very popular in Asian and I love it. I grew sweet potatoes more for its leaves but the tubers were fantastic too! It is a plant which we must grow cos it has 101 uses!

Time: 1st October 2010 5:26pm

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au0rey says...
Hi battler, i bought 6 last spring...they were tiny pots from bunnings but came out on in december. It could be too cold right now (as i am in melbourne). Otherwise you may like to buy shop tubers with 'eyes' and stand cut halves in shallow water in warm place and they may shoot. i read that from a gardening mag. not sure if they work though was from mag, cos they may be treated like many vege.

Yes young leaves when stir fried with lots garlic is very popular in Asian and I love it. I grew sweet potatoes more for its leaves but the tubers were fantastic too! It is a plant which we must grow cos it has 101 uses!

Time: 1st October 2010 5:26pm

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amanda says...
Would aged pig manure be ok to put down in the bed that I am putting sweet potatoe in, do u think?
Most sites say low nitrogen fert's...which I usually think of aged manure as..?

Time: 18th May 2011 4:47pm

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snottiegobble says...
In our sands Amanda i think we could add just about anything! The purple skinned S.P plant that I got from Bunnies 2 months ago is now a dense ground cover of over a mtr in any direction. Before planting I added aged pig, sheep, B & B, potting mix,new kitty litter, & wetting granules. I feed it occasionally with worm juice/ seasol powerfeed. Potted a couple of cuttings from it a month ago & theyve never looked back. Go girl!!

Time: 20th May 2011 12:20pm

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Charles cant spell says...
Thats a lot of pampering for a sweet potato snottie, I generally stick mine in the ground, cuttings for older runners once rooted, and try to stop them taking over my garden, but that said they never produce many tubers so its probably them desperately looking over the whole garden for soil worth growing in :)

Time: 20th May 2011 2:32pm

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amanda says...
Great - thanks guys - I have the red one from Bunnies too (lazy me!) I think they are like spuds - not too much nitrogen, more phos and potassium..? Anyway - that's how my spuds grow so I'll practice on the S.P ... if they are anything as good as a home grown spud I will be thrilled :)

Time: 20th May 2011 2:39pm

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amanda says...
Great - thanks guys - I have the red one from Bunnies too (lazy me!) I think they are like spuds - not too much nitrogen, more phos and potassium..? Anyway - that's how my spuds grow so I'll practice on the S.P ... if they are anything as good as a home grown spud I will be thrilled :)

Time: 20th May 2011 2:39pm

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amanda says...
They are in SG! I checked some Ag dept sites and was surprised to see that the potash requirement was higher than the nitrogen req'd for Sw.pototoe - and spuds...?
They also had a fair dose of magnesium too.
I've chucked in all sorts SG - pig poo, dynamic lifter, potash, phos, gypsum, epsom salts, trace elements and lastly sugar cane mulch :)

I will see how the brew goes and report here...
CCS - maybe u need more potash? The Ag dept site also mentioned that salinity will reduce the crop.

(edit: links:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/hort/veg/cp/otherveg/f04799.pdf

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/hort/veg/cp/potatoes/fn2007_potfertil_imcpharlin.pdf


OK - links fixed - sorry about that SG :)

Time: 25th May 2011 8:12pm

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snottiegobble says...
Hi Amanda, I tried to get into those links without any luck. I would love to use plenty of sulphate of potash, but I worry about it killing off the worms! Do anyone know when it becomes lethal to them?

Time: 26th May 2011 8:13pm

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Brendan says...
Hi SG, sulphate of potash doesn't seem to hurt worms in my garden, the dose is usually one handful per sq metre, and water in.
Wood ash is a natural potassium fertilizer, but applied too thickly can cause problems.

Time: 29th May 2011 8:22am

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snottiegobble says...
Thanks Brendan,now I feel more confident about using it!

Time: 29th May 2011 4:11pm

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Charles cant spell says...
You people and your fertilisers......I bet 90% of that dose rate is leaching away..... compost, and mulch more built up you bacteria, fungus and other soil biology. Then let your plant call its nutrient requirements via its own root exadates, fertilisation is the soil food webs job. You should need to add bugger all remineralisation each year if you are gardening/growing effectively.

One thing I had confirmed in my reading recently, tree's and herbs prefer symbiotic fungus (fungus lives more on wood chips/leaves/lignin/tanins/celulous etc), however vegeis and grasses prefer symbiotic bacteria (so add grass clippings, green stuff, molasses etc to encourage them).

Time: 29th May 2011 5:13pm

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amanda says...
Not with the added clay CCS!? :) It helps to hold on to those goodies...

I probably lose more to wind erosion than leaching...Lol! But yea - Speedy knows a bit about the fungi and soil bacteria also...it's so interesting. There is a bit in the Blackwater thread (if it hasn't been deleted by u-know-who..)

I am finding leaf litter the most fungi friendly, (here that is)? They seem to get started on it very fast once the rain falls?
I could collect loads of leaf litter from the acacias on my block - although I don't see any fungal elements in amoungst this stuff at all - maybe they are too full on do u think? (like eucalyptus leaves that never seem to break down..)

But I must agree with you - a well made hot aerobic compost is fantastic stuff. If I had a better set up and more time - I would use/make this - and just tweak it with some of things I know I have problems with.

In truth - I resort to mineral fert's (little amounts) cos I am usually too busy and don't make the time :-(
(mainly I use chook pellets and manure tho')

Time: 29th May 2011 6:41pm

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snottiegobble says...
CCS, remember I have been here just over 2 years in this sand & Amanda has a mountain of it to contend with. Conversion to loam is slow, expensive, & a never ending learning curve. I will be picking up a free trailer load of organic horse manure this week, but finding these little treasures takes time.

Time: 30th May 2011 12:27am

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amanda says...
Nice one SG - manure getting expensive to buy up here. I fixed those links too. I use a fair bit less potash than a handful/sqm (no disrespect Brendan!) just a very light dusting - and it hasn't killed my worms. I only use it once or twice a year (once in veg patch at start-up - and twice with fruit trees - winter and spring) The organics and rooster booster do the rest.
CCS is right about the leaching - but without the loam to hold on to it - potassium will leach anyway - it takes time like u say. Our sandy soils are very deficient in potassium.

Time: 30th May 2011 4:45pm

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snottiegobble says...
Awh Amanda, it was piled up outside the stables ( night use only). No straw, no hay, no antibiotics, & very little odour.
(horses used in riding for the Disabled) Plenty of vegies going their way in the future!

Time: 31st May 2011 11:38pm

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amanda says...
Snottiegobble - my sweet potatoe is taking off already! putting rootlets down flat stick. I am going to feed it with fish emulsion over winter and get it really going and then cut back on all food and see if that will force it to produce tubers maybe..?
I was also wondering - if you chopped the runner stems (once rooted) - if that would force it to produce more roots (cos' it would be a "new" plant then..?) if it might produce more tubers then..?
I was also wondering if it's worth 'pinning down' the runners so that it embeds better/quicker at each point..?
All good fun! (spuds popped up in record time this year too...gotta love the root crops - so damn easy compared with everything else - except herbs!? lol)

Time: 12th June 2011 11:08pm

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snottiegobble says...
yes Amanda, they are so easy to propagate ( purple skinned). I just took cuttings ( as was suggested) potted them up, fed them seasol & they never even wilted slightly, just kept growing, & already they need bigger pots! On the other hand the orange fleshed struggled all thru the heat, the leaves being pecked by something! I have felt a tuber or 2 under the soil & wonder also if by removing carefully the plant will aspire to bigger things?

Time: 13th June 2011 12:04am

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Haakon says...
A few months ago I got orange sweet potatoes going by simply planting a handful of tubers from the shop. The plants grew very well but I only got a few new tubers and the original shop tubers grew very large. The old ones are not that appetising, so this spring I will be only planting slips not tubers.
I also noticed that some of my orange tubers were really tasty and others were very bland. I have steamed the end of my this years purple parent tuber and it tastes good so hopefully all of its offspring will taste good also.

Time: 13th June 2011 11:39am

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snottiegobble says...
Yes Haakon its a big learning curve. Other members say they dont need much in the way of fertilisers & manures because they result in too much foliage & no tubers, but here in our sand I think its totally different. What amazes me is that Bunnings are still selling Purple skin plants at this time of year & mine ( bought early Autumn) is spreading like a carpet so do they grow all winter?

Time: 13th June 2011 12:24pm

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amanda says...
Morning SG :) CCS - how did your plant go over winter in Perth?
SG: If u have a read of that link above (1st one) from Ag Dept they do recommend feeding them, in sandy soils...(but that is for commercial crops I guess...)
They grow all year round in Carnarvon...and do ok in Gero - but the link says 20-30 oC optimum growing temp - so they may need some TLC in the coldest months where u are..? Only one way to find out! :) I suspect that my plant will grow well but may not form tubers until the weather warms up again...? Diana's doing great - but Brisbane and Gero similar temps...

Anyone else have any thoughts maybe..?


Time: 13th June 2011 12:56pm

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fruitist says...
My Kipfler just sprouted. But the purple flesh with brown skin still dormant. I do have the purple skin, purple flesh growing like weed escaped from my neighbour.

Time: 13th June 2011 1:49pm

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amanda says...
Hmnn..still wondering how the sweet potatoe thing works....mine has sent out heaps of runners but they haven't put down any roots yet? It's getting quite big and is seems very happy.

Do the tubers form all along the runners (when they set roots) or only at the main plant?

Maybe it won't set roots until the weather gets warmer? Or is it too soon?

(I nipped out a few growing tips which made heaps of side shoots - just wanted to see if I get more tubers that way?)

Time: 29th August 2011 9:35am

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Brad says...
I'd take cuttings from the runners and try get more potatoes from there

Time: 29th August 2011 12:21pm

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au0rey says...
Amanda, my runners never set roots the season i grew them and the sweet potatoes were only formed when the original roots were. the runners crawled everywhere though. If you put stand some in water they should root and then you can plant them and get more tubers.. I have grown sweet potatoes previous season but could not find any at bunnings last year, hopefully soon this year.

Time: 29th August 2011 2:53pm

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Julie says...
amanda, you can eat the tips of sweet potatoes - good in a stirfry.

Sorry, I see I already mentioned this two years ago!

Time: 29th August 2011 6:53pm

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Mike says...
I have grown the orange type,purple skin with white flesh and white skinned purple fleshed varieties for a few years until this season.I loosen the soil in December,load it with mulch and use 10:10:10 NPK and plant runners and last years runts,including tubers I have missed.The vine cutting give more tubers as they form roots along their length.With the wet season onset they over-run their space and I hack them back or turn them back in.I thrown lawn clippings,soil,leaf prunings ect on top and the vine fight to get to the top and over-run the surface again.I don't need to water but harvest in April to July as I need them and it is drying out.

Time: 29th August 2011 8:13pm

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amanda says...
Thanks everyone :) I noticed a tiny root along one runner this afternoon - maybe it just needs encouragement like Mike uses. I will dump some goodies on top of the runners and report back if it works!

I am not going to let it take over the big plot I have given it without some return here...bludger vine..lol.

Time: 29th August 2011 9:20pm

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amanda says...
Hey Mike/Julie - if I put some manure over the runners and they take root - maybe I should then sever/cut them from the main plant do u think? Then I will have lots more plants = more tubers maybe?

Julie - is that how you keep the plant under some kind of control - by taking the tips out do you think? (I didn't know u could eat them - thanks for the 'tip' :D

Time: 30th August 2011 9:39am

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Julie says...
Not sure about the first question, but it sounds about right. Worth a go, you have nothing to lose.

If you don't trim it back and you are feeding it heavily, it tends to take up a lot of space and get a bit out of control.

Time: 30th August 2011 8:18pm

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amanda says...
Thanks Julie - I will have muck about with the runners and see what happens :)
Must admit I am surprised - I was expecting all those runners to set roots at least...otherwise what's the point of them - if not to search out food for the main plant..?

I am dying of curiousity as to what (if anything) is forming in the centre!

Time: 30th August 2011 9:28pm

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Mike says...
It is alright to tip them and use them as vegies because you'll still have lot of tubers.The vines don't have to be chopped off and will be hoovering up nutrients and soaking up the sun.Kinda suddenly the root more and the tubers 'blow up'.They don't need to be looked after much and it is a waiting game.

Time: 30th August 2011 9:43pm

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amanda says...
Thanks Mike - I am guessing I will see all the action when the days get longer and warmer..?

I was interested to see how badly salinity affects the harvest - and wonder if this might be why some have dissapointing crops in Perth. I am using rainwater - as our tap water is over the limit for them.

It's unusual cos usually veg are far more tolerant of salt than fruit trees - and I save the rain water for the trees - not the veg. I have noticed that my beans are a lot happier with rain water, this year, also...

Time: 31st August 2011 10:14am

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amanda says...
How long do u normally leave the plant b4 harvest guys..? Mine been in 6 months now and is getting a bit too big.

Time: 29th November 2011 10:20am

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Aaron says...
Hi Amanda,

6 months is about the right amount of time but also depends how hot is your area. Where you are, in Geraldton, I think it should be sufficient.

What you can do is dig around the main 'trunk' and check whether is there any sweet potatoes or not.

Hope the above helps! Cheers

Time: 29th November 2011 3:42pm

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amanda says...
Thanks Aaron :) Guess I will have a bandicoot around then...!?


Time: 29th November 2011 5:46pm

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Aaron Yap says...
You are welcomed!

I previously saw some of your edibles and was so envious of your available land to plant all the fruit trees that you want!

I am running out of space and have now started to plant out my front yard!!

The 'boss' is starting to complain that I spend too much time in my garden. Even at night when I go out with my torchlight!! hehehehe

Time: 1st December 2011 5:02pm

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amanda says...
hehe..yea I like to do that in summer too Aaron..so cool and peaceful. Ironically I am going to cut back on my trees :-( (all the stone fruit and a custard apple)
The climate is just too harsh for them and the time, water and money to keep them going is pretty horrific....a difficult choice but there u go.

Time: 1st December 2011 5:08pm

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amanda says...
WooHoo Aaron! These were within cm's of each other! Had to blast them out with the hose....but I know what I am having for dinner - can't wait! :)
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Time: 4th December 2011 12:38pm

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snottiegobble says...
Amanda, they look scrumptious, but arent you supposed to cure them for a week or so at a constant temp to make the starch turn to sugar?
I am going to dig my patch today because I am sick of trying to kill the little cream moths, or thrips that are eating the older foliage & leaving it brown & burnt. Garlic spray didnt work!

Time: 4th December 2011 2:55pm

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amanda says...
Lol SG...I couldn't wait and roasted one for lunch - it was divine! So creamy...and sweet..but yea - will do that SG - they will be even better!

Haven't had any pests problems with the vine - has been really good. It needs lots of water. Only gave it what we talked about way back 6 months ago - plus some potatoe-E about 3 months in...and some pig poo to cover the runners. It's nearly filled the whole bed (3m x 4m) - so I wonder how many I will be there..?

Whats the best way to store them..? or are they better just left in the ground..?

Time: 4th December 2011 3:43pm

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snottiegobble says...
Amanda, I started to dig mine but they are 'miniscule'.They have covered a large area & been in over 6 months but the soil was very dry so I have treated with wetting granules & a good watering & hope for a better result in 2 months!

Time: 4th December 2011 7:02pm

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amanda says...
Fingers crossed SG! I have been fairly generous with the water (U know what our sand is like with H2O - there one minute - gone the next....!?) I have to water them pretty much every day now as it's been so hot.

I can't use anymore rain water on them from now on tho...so it will be interesting to see if the salty tap water sets them back (ref's say they don't like it at all..)

I reckon u should be right in 2 months..? It's certainly getting warm enuf down there now :)
I just had a little advantage with our overnite winter temps this year maybe (apparently they need warmth overnight too..)

It made my day to get these - been feeling quite beaten by the elements etc, lately.

Time: 4th December 2011 9:19pm

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amanda says...
So chuffed! My mum (72yrs) reckons these are the best sweet potatoe she has ever eaten - even better than Kumera..!? (and she has been eating sweet potatoe all her life)

They are so amazingly creamy compared to shop ones. If u haven't tried growing them b4 - would recommend - so easy in a warm climate. :)

Time: 8th December 2011 10:27am

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Jantina says...
The difference between store bought and homegrown is amazing isn't it? glad you are enjoying the fruits of your labours!

Time: 8th December 2011 10:46am

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Mike says...
The orange beauregard and white fleshed purple are pretty ordinary compared to some of the varieties around.Purple and white skinned with purple flesh,purple skin with yellow flesh and white skinned with white flesh seem to be richer and creamier than others.The hawaiin purple fleshed in supermarkets is also not as good as these.

Time: 9th December 2011 8:53pm

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amanda says...
Ah. Mine didn't have a name Mike...I thought it was great perhaps cos it was home grown and fresh.....I haven't seen many different types over this side...(but very happy with the one I have anyway.. :)

Time: 9th December 2011 10:54pm

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snottiegobble says...
I buried the S P stems in Gardeners Mulching Compost from IGA & its really good value at $3.50 per 25ltr bag. With that, the wetting granules & a good soaking there is amazing improvement already with lots of new purplish growth! Thanks Amanda, I know now I will get some good tubers eventually if I look after them.

Time: 12th December 2011 5:27pm

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amanda says...
Nice one SG! Don't thank me tho - I don't know what I am doing!? :D (beginners luck maybe...) Those little moths have moved in here too...but they not doing too much damage (for a root crop) - more worried about the mice burrowing in...grr. Got 15 already.

I am just finishing the spuds - so I am going throw all their straw and stuff (that hasn't broken down) - over the SP's....think I might even keep this as an SP bed..? I haven't seen any info that says they need to be rotated?


Time: 12th December 2011 11:14pm

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snottiegobble says...
Mice?? Sounds like you need a cat or a mini foxxy!!
Good rain this arvo, about 20 mils although my gauge shows 2 inches which cant be true. think rain has been dripping into it off a 2.5 m yellow flowering tecoma thats only supposed to reach 1.5m. There is also a pink flowered tecoma that is close to it in height,& its only supposed to be 1m!! Cant believe these labels, hey??

Time: 13th December 2011 1:01am

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amanda says...
It would be a fat lazy cat SG :D Sorry to say but I buy 5+ kg buckets of bait every summer...it's that bad. I prefer snap traps with peanut butter - but the ants eat all the bait b4 the mice even get a look in.

No easy answer when u have this many. The rabbits are bad too...it's just another one of 'those' seasons dealing with introduced vermin... ;-)

I have no sympathy for feral animals - cute or not.

(ps - and I think the vermin problem is bad because the whole environment here is out of whack - due to intensive farming..)



Time: 13th December 2011 2:09am

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snottiegobble says...
Have you tried the old "walk the plank over the bucket of water" technique?? maybe you could use old stainless baths sinks etc partly buried?

Time: 13th December 2011 2:40pm

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amanda says...
Yes I have SG! there are some very imaginative solutions for sure. I only prefer snap traps cos they are more humane/quick.

I can almost feel the bad karma coming my way when I drown and poison them... :-( It's not my first choice that's for sure.

Time: 14th December 2011 2:06pm

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amanda says...
Hey SG! Must be beginners luck I think - but these SP's just keep on coming here? Even when I just want to pick a "couple" I get this in pic? :D

Anyawy - just wanted to let u know, though, that my patch is highly water repellant - but it hasn't made any difference it seems?

Since I stopped using the wetting agent - I have stopped getting the rotten bottoms on the tubers....?

These guys are huge - but not woody at all. I have small caterpillers eating the leaves a little - but the wasps are on top of them. Other than that - they are handling the heat etc really well?

Finally a crop I can grow over summer! Yay! :D

(edit: a bit peeved that my only manure supplier has gravel in his stuff tho...I am getting some pretty instense grooves/clefts in the tubers that need a fair bit of attention to get the sand out of! A newbies lesson perhaps? Apart from the intense pain the stones cause my knee caps- grr!?)

also - have picked 20kgs now...only 3 times casual bandicooting? are SP's always like this? I could have made fortune at the markets!? They $6/kg in the Stupor market right now?
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Picture: 1

Time: 31st January 2012 9:06pm

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snottiegobble says...
Onya Amanda, they are enormous unless thats your budgie`s egg?? SP`s can totally take over from trying to grow any spuds in the summer cos mine were hopeless & I was lucky to get a few Desiree to re sow over winter from a donation of 2 babies from the east. I like the way SP`s totally shade themselves over a huge area which makes watering easy & they are so prolific creeping over everything in their path you just know they will perform if you water them enough So looking at it that way we are very lucky to be able to grow winter potatoes & summer SPs!

Time: 2nd February 2012 12:34am

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amanda says...
Yup..I had no luck at all with the later spuds either SG..grew plenty of tops but no tubers at all. So temp is the problem there I am certain.

Now to google some S.Potatoe recipes..lol!?

Time: 2nd February 2012 9:32am

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snottiegobble says...
Have you tried frying sweet potato chips or making crisps from them??

Time: 4th February 2012 1:00am

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amanda says...
Sounds good guys :) It's also nice to throw chunks of it into a curry. I wonder if the tubers develop more flavour in a better loam..

Time: 4th February 2012 12:58pm

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Phil@Tyalgum says...
When is the best time to start harvesting them? I have a healthy two year old patch but not sure when to dig.

Time: 4th February 2012 1:36pm

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amanda says...
I harvested my first 2.5kg tuber at around 6 or 7 months Phil..? I was told to go back to where the vine is the oldest and start from there.

Had to get my fingers down a few inches and have a feel around for them/right size....I am just bandicooting though and not intending to harvest the crop yet. And I have sandy loam so it's fairly easy to get in there with the hose.

@ 2yrs - u should have heaps by now!? :)

Time: 4th February 2012 2:03pm

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Phil@Tyalgum says...
K - what time of year do you think is best? And how do you cook the growing tips, I hear they are edible too.


Time: 4th February 2012 2:20pm

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amanda says...
If u plan to harvest all at once Phil..there is the problem of "curing" the tubers for storage...I just thought it was too much hassle myself? That's why I bandicoot.
Apparently the curing raises the sugar levels tho. Pfft. Just sprinkle brown sugar and let it caramelise if u need it that sweet maybe? :)

I haven't found the need for it myself..the fresh tubers are not only sweet but really 'nutty' flavoured too.

I am not sure how good a sweet potatoe has to be myself - b4 it's classed as yum Mike? having grown up with Kumera - I find mine pretty comparable in sand to be honest. My Mum reckons the one I am growing now is the best she has ever tasted. So...each to their own I guess.

Bit like the tomatoes hey? ;) The tropics don't always grow the most flavoursome stuff.

Time: 5th February 2012 2:09am

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amanda says...
In fact...it can be quite surprising how a difficult climate can bring out flavour in fruit, veg and especially herbs. A little bit of stress is not a bad thing here.

U won't get the colouring on succulents u are after, for eg - without stress. They won't be healthy either.

Spoilt tomatoes taste like crap really. Too much humidity, water/rain or fert's etc...not good for tomatoe flavour either, at all. They perform better in a med climate. I would bet money on that?

Mike - U might be pleasantly surprised if u ventured over this way perhaps? WA is very surprising and can grow a vast array of very tasty fruit n veg.

It's all well and good to grow the sweetest pineapple...but I would probably use 100 times more tomatoe in my kitchen than pineapple? Ditto potatoe, onion and garlic too?
Cabbage, lettuce etc..the staples. It's lovely to live in the tropics and grow mangosteen tho, I guess.

(Still reckon Carnarvon bananas are way better than those huge tasteless things coming out of QLD too - yukk, I don't buy them) lol...

I get a bit annoyed at the constant comparisons myself...it's logical that some fruit n veg will taste better in different climates. As long as it tastes good to the person eating it...?

(lol..the first things Nick and I ate when we finally crossed the border back into WA, at Kununurra, after being in FNQ for 6 years...were beef and iced coffee hehe. Qld beef sucks BTW!?)

(all that high rainfall also causes leaching of essential plant nutrients...it is reflected in the taste of the produce and the animals that feed on it...u have to admit this is true?)



Time: 5th February 2012 2:44am

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amanda says...
and I know the bunch of celery I bought 2day was grown under some stress....just by looking at it's colour, size and ribs..and the fact it stunk the whole car out..?

Some people won't appreciate all that 'extra' flavour pehaps...? Perhaps our taste buds are changing too...? (grin)

Time: 5th February 2012 3:21am

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amanda says...
hehe...u are funny Mike :) Yes - those gulf scrubbers are really not nice are they?! lol.
When u see where they are raised it makes sense tho doesn't it? Shocking country in the Gulf...we had run our winscreen wipers just to see through all the dust...never seen dust bowls like them in my life...

A very harsh part of the country.
(sorry about sliding off topic guys :)

Time: 5th February 2012 1:37pm

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snottiegobble says...
My question is, can you leave sweet potatoes in the ground too long, & does the foliage ever indicate its time to harvest?
Mike, youre the forum`s gourmet/chef / gardener & your family are very lucky!

Time: 5th February 2012 7:50pm

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Val says...
Did a experiment with a cut sweet potato this year.Got five slips and just planted them in the vegie garden with compost and sugar cane on top. Is it too late for growing in Melbourne weather(in Feb) and how long do they grow before harvesting.
Had to move them from the tyre they were in as the pumpkins are taking over.
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Time: 24th February 2012 6:55am

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denise. says...
In NZ we mainly grow sweet potato=(kumara), on fertile river flats as they have the perfect silty soil. When planting the sprouts in the mounds the sprout is bent into a J shape or even into a knot if possible. Some say it makes a difference which way to the sun are the rows and the bend in the sprout. After the ground is covered with lots of runners, we go with a stick or black plastic hose and beat the growth between the long mounds to encourage growth of the tuber. You can also grow them by seed but that is rare. In warmer places with no frost they can stay longer to make bigger roots but then are usually harder to sell.

Time: 24th February 2012 7:08am

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snottiegobble says...
denise, that sounds like you scare them into growing by flogging the sh-- out of them ? Anyway theres at least 3 varieties of sweet potatoes & I always wonder which one is called kumara??

Time: 25th February 2012 1:26am

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denise. says...
Bashing is just the quick way of eliminating the tips and outer growth and that changes the plants auxins etc that makes growth happen in tubers instead.Seasons vary so it is not always necessary. All colors of Ipomea batatas in NZ are called kumara.

Time: 25th February 2012 9:28am

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Mike says...
Considering the polynesian mariners brought them back from central america just around 1000 years ago it is surprising how many pacific types have developed.I personally prefer yellow fleshed types and purple skin/purple flesh types.I turn the runners back into the patch,walk on it and dump grass and other mulch on top of it.

Time: 25th February 2012 11:53am

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john says...
At what stage ie what surface area roughly must one allow before stopping the leaf growth by slashing?Or what time of year. My experience is that there is luxuriant leaf growth and tiny tubers ,so I must have left it too late.

Time: 25th February 2012 2:04pm

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Mike says...
john I think it is a bit early for tubers in your neck of the wood yet in spite of the WA pattern.It is the cooling,drying weather and shorter days here that seems to promote tuber development.Slashing unlike tipping,disturbing or covering with mulch may reduce their capacity to form tubers.If you tip them (stir fry shoots), throw clippings over them and withold water,you could be harvesting at your leisure through the cooler months.

Time: 25th February 2012 2:17pm

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snottiegobble says...
Amanda, that is totally different to your approach isnt it? Yet Mike`s method sounds really good especially with our soily sands, dont you think?

Time: 25th February 2012 5:42pm

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amanda says...
Yup SG...I am throwing some manure over them (not a lot) now n then.
Otherwise the stems are above the ground (there are so many of them that they are all criss-crossed over each other)

I still haven't moved past about 1m - 1.5m radius from the original part of the plant, for harvesting. Not sure if there are many tubers, or how big, further out yet...

Time: 25th February 2012 8:29pm

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snottiegobble says...
Hell Amanda. mine are now 5 metres square & I have to keep cutting back the perimeter to stop them covering young lemongrass plantings, pathways & lime trees. Its Day of the Triffids stuff!

Time: 25th February 2012 9:38pm

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john says...
Commercially they are grown in rows in and around Gympie ,SW Qld. There did not seem to be much leaf growth at all. i wonder if they are more suited to the sub tropics?

Time: 27th February 2012 8:24am

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denise says...
They are grown in the pacific islands for some thousand years=quite tropical, and also the highlands of PNG.=which is the warmer end of subtropical. In the cool subtropical NZ they are a summer crop only.

Time: 27th February 2012 8:30am

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amanda says...
SG is in Capel - which would be warm temperate SG? They grow all year round here in Gero (semi arid, warm temperate) Are we talking about growing versus cropping?
I think they require the warmers temps (eg: summer in NZ etc) to actually produce the tubers.
I guess they wouldn't like any frost either...?

Do they plant new vines every year in NZ denise?

Time: 27th February 2012 5:42pm

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Mike says...
I have been told that some people in my area have a summer sweet potato crop and it is possible to have 2 crops a year.My method and season of growing them is certainly not the only way in my district.It seems likely that in other climates they can also be grown and harvested over a long period.

Time: 27th February 2012 9:10pm

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amanda says...
U should be able to grow them all year round in Cairns Mike..? They do in Carnarvon (lower lat than you) and then Broome etc..?

The only reason they don't - is so that they can hit the market in the "out of season" period for the southern growers...?

Or is the wet season too wet?

Time: 27th February 2012 9:50pm

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Mike says...
Yes Amanda the plants grow well year round and don't need watering.I doubt harvesting and tuber growth would be any good from January to March when more than 60% of the rain falls.

Time: 28th February 2012 6:52pm

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amanda says...
Ah Mike..this is when Broome harvests, surprisingly (?) so either their wet season not as wet - or that's when it's time to get them out of the ground!? :)
(not a good climate comparison between Broome and Cairns tho, I realise..)

I suspect that mine may not have formed any tubers over our summer - can it get too searingly hot I wonder?
I am really curious to check it out over the next few days...
(have no reason to think so...just a gut feeling..)

Time: 28th February 2012 10:44pm

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Kerri says...
Wow, I just got some shoots growing on some sweet potatoes once and just chopped them up and shoved them in the ground. Stupid piece of garden where vegies wouldn't grow anymore because of a neighbours tree. Been picking since; everytime the plant gets a bit too spread out. I just pull and every spot where it has taken roots will have spuds (hit and miss on size). I use them like carrots in soups, stir-fries, etc. Bake them whole and sprinkle with cinnamon, add a dob of butter - bliss.
All my gardens are sheet mulched, but I haven't done anything to this area for years, not even water. They just fend and provide. Some people think they are not a pretty plant, but I sort of like it. Fills up a corner.

Time: 29th February 2012 3:12am

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Gosford
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Gus says...
You can eat the leaves too.

Time: 29th February 2012 11:06am

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snottiegobble says...
Just hacked my way through to the centre of SP patch where original plant was,& dug down with fork to bring up a 3kg tuber!
Damaged of course because I had no idea of the size & there were others not quite as big, but still damaged by the fork, so be careful when harvesting! BTW that was only half the plant`s tubers so I hired a back hoe! Just kidding!!

Time: 29th February 2012 11:58pm

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Bunno & Busso ( smack in the middle)
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amanda says...
Good one SG! Do u plan to let the plant keep going over winter? Might be an interesting experiment.. :)

I have been using a strong jet of water and my hands to get mine out...working the hose down the sides etc...those big ones are hard to get out!

Time: 1st March 2012 10:19am

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snottiegobble says...
Now why havent I got the brains to think of that?? ( a strong jet of water) Will certainly do that for the rest of them! No, will just remove the old plant & tubers, might be a bigger one there!! I will get plenty of rooted cuttings potted for the local nursery then make a killing ( I hope) using my monster tuber in a photo as a back drop!

Time: 1st March 2012 4:24pm

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amanda says...
Hehe SG...a farmer mate told me this tip/method for getting star pickets out of the ground really easily ;-) I just adapted it - so can't claim the credit there :)

I have a few requests for cuttings already too!? Also - we have around 100 curry leaf seeds ready to plant out too - just small plants are worth over $15 each up here...?!

Time: 1st March 2012 10:35pm

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John says...
Do the sweet potatoe tubers grow close to the surface or is the only way to find out if there are any is dig it up. Is now also the right time to dig them up. My plant never grew very large I think there was not enough love.

Time: 2nd March 2012 10:37pm

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snottiegobble says...
If they are in sandy soil John,
Amanda`s method is excellent. The biggest tubers seem to lie almost vertically filling a rough circle under the plant probably up to a mtr diam.( mine did anyway) The tops of them are easily found just under the surface so you can blast away with a jet setting till you can get a handhold to ease them out. I havent ventured further afield yet due to unearthing another monster of just under 2 1/5 kilos with others over a kilo from this same circle & there`s
more to go! Hell, Africa should be growing these things in vast quantities!

Time: 3rd March 2012 3:47pm

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John says...
Thanks SG, have yours been in the ground long? I poked around a little under the plant but only felt a root that was maybe a little swollen. Its been in the ground now for about 8 months.

Time: 5th March 2012 4:01pm

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snottiegobble says...
Mine were the same 4 months ago until I followed Amanda`s advice & really fed them up by chucking old manure on top of all the growth & then watering it in well. I water every couple of days since with Dynamic lifter scattered in every 2 weeks!

Time: 5th March 2012 4:08pm

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MaryT says...
SG people in places of famine often are kept alive by sweet potatoes. I know my grandmother and my parents couldn't look at sweet potatoes 'cause that's all they had to eat for some time during the Japanese occupation of China. In fact they only had the peels to eat.

Time: 5th March 2012 4:56pm

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amanda says...
Imagine being in a holocaust camp then..I bet every single weed and blade of grass was eaten. Sawdust was used in their bread after all... :-(


Time: 5th March 2012 11:19pm

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john says...
A generation of Dutch people were exposed to a severe famine in the latter stages of WW11 . Oddly, that generation suffered fewer cardiovascular problems in later life.

Time: 6th March 2012 8:32am

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snottiegobble says...
Thats what I need, a forced diet regime so I can wear my Melbourne Pink Floyd concert tee shirt for a 70`s do in a months time!
Amazing how we get off the original thread isnt it?

Time: 6th March 2012 3:53pm

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amanda says...
It's ON SG!! lol...look what I found 2day? :D Need my man home to cut the damn thing tho'...(3.2kg)

(what happened to your picture?)
And where is Charles Can't Spell so we can show off hey?? ;-)
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Picture: 1

Time: 1st April 2012 4:20pm

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snottiegobble says...
OK you win Amanda, for this season anyway!
Its very obvious these SPs love our soily sand isnt it? Thanks for the Gardening WA Style site BTW, It should be useful to all sand gardeners!

Time: 2nd April 2012 12:05pm

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MaryT says...
Amanda here's a sinful recipe for the SP - good with baked ham: Make a syrup with 80g brown sugar, 60ml cream, 2 tablespoon butter, 1/4 cup raisins to the boil then add 60ml rum and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour over sliced BOILED sweet potatoes then bake in a hot over for about half an hour, basting once/twice during cooking and once more after it's out of the oven. You'll need to double that for the giant. Enjoy.

Time: 2nd April 2012 1:05pm

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snottiegobble says...
Gee MaryT ! That sounds scrummy even without the SPs. Now I am going out to try to find some more! Definately more labour intensive than spuds, but worth every minute!

Time: 2nd April 2012 4:23pm

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Well done Amanda, enjoy your harvest.

Time: 2nd April 2012 4:23pm

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MaryT says...
SG if you run out of sweet potatoes then substitute it with rum - in that case you don't need to put it in the oven :)

Time: 2nd April 2012 4:26pm

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amanda says...
Thanks guys...MaryT that sounds like a very decadent recipe there!? :) I must look up a Thai style recipe that finishes part steamed SP in coconut milk/cream and some other asain herbs etc.
It's very nice too..



Time: 2nd April 2012 8:42pm

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Julie says...
amanda, that sounds delicious - can you post a recipe? Or send to my email?

Thanks

Time: 3rd April 2012 9:11pm

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Roleystone WA
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amanda says...
Yup - will post here Julie...just have to get the recipe back off Mum ;-) Stay tuned.

Time: 3rd April 2012 9:15pm

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Julie says...
I planted a sweet potato about 8 weeks ago, and it just didn't shoot. Drat! I have read somewhere that sometimes they are treated to stop them growing, but haven't had this happen before.

Seems some of you have bought SP plants from Bunnings - I'll give them a call tomorrow to see if they have any.

amanda, you never got back with that recipe. It's not too late!



Time: 16th October 2012 9:40pm

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Nick T says...
If you'd like Julie, I can send you a few cuttings? Some of them have rooted after being in the water for only 3 days! :)

Time: 17th October 2012 7:17am

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Altona, VIC
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Julie says...
That would be great Nick. Are they orange fleshed? I only want a couple.

If you let me know your email, I can send my address.

Time: 17th October 2012 9:41pm

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Nick T says...
Some of them are orange, some are purple. My email is niksmaster2008@hotmail.com

Time: 19th October 2012 6:51am

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Julie says...
It's mentioned a few times above that you can eat sweet potato leaf tips. I just found out how nutritious they are. So even if you don't get many tubers, the leaf crop is worth eating.

Just look at the amount of vitamin K (excellent for strong bones).

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 175 kJ (42 kcal)
Carbohydrates 8.82 g
- Dietary fiber 5.3 g
Fat 0.51 g
Protein 2.49 g
Vitamin A equiv. 189 μg (24%)
- beta-carotene 2217 μg (21%)
- lutein and zeaxanthin 14720 μg
Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.156 mg (14%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.345 mg (29%)
Niacin (vit. B3) 1.13 mg (8%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.225 mg (5%)
Vitamin B6 0.19 mg (15%)
Vitamin C 11 mg (13%)
Vitamin K 302.2 μg (288%)
Calcium 78 mg (8%)
Iron 0.97 mg (7%)
Magnesium 70 mg (20%)
Phosphorus 81 mg (12%)
Potassium 508 mg (11%)


Time: 2nd April 2014 8:42pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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MaryT says...
Thanks for that info, Julie. I grow sweet potatoes for the leaves mainly as I can only grow them in pots. Still I get a crop of tubers too and it's a lot easier to harvest that than from the ground :)

Time: 3rd April 2014 5:12am

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sternus1 says...
Mary if you want to try some others, I have a LOT of extras of a rare purple skinned type that is ivory fleshed with purple marbling throughout. It's some kind of NZ CV. Let me know if you want any, I don't care if anything comes back my way or not. I think it's called Kumara, or something similar. The good thing about them is that they're very creamy, and are medium sized, which is good for me as I tend to not have time to 'save' vegetables and bigger ones tend to get half eaten and the rest thrown away.

Time: 22nd September 2014 10:21am

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Australia
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Mike Tr says...
That one looks like beauregard which is the common orange fleshed one.Kumera is the NZ type and it makes you wonder how polynesians in Taiwan originally (prior to the forced migration) got peruvian sweet potatoes that long ago.
The purple skin and purple marbling is likely the solomon or perfumed SP.The white skinned purple flesh is okinawan but supermarkets like to call those ones hawaiin.

Time: 22nd September 2014 11:06am

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Cairns
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TMary says...
Thanks for the offer s1 but I did bring some back from up north so am still looking for space to fit them in. Funny my father subsisted on them for so long (even eating the roots) that he wouldn't touch them once he had other things to eat.

Time: 22nd September 2014 11:08am

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sternus1 says...
I'll be sending some melons for your consideration this year Mike, some very boutique pumpkins too. Not sure if the seed will be any good though, they're being grown together.

Scored myself a bunch of free postage, so why not.

Here's what my Kumara look exactly like (skin on mine is more red than purple) though this isn't my photo:

Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 22nd September 2014 11:31am

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MaryT1 says...
Oh yes this one is good for deep frying.

Time: 22nd September 2014 1:27pm

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sternus1 says...
what about a red champagne finger Lime Mary? I have two to give away, grafted onto tri. Replacing these with others on cox hybrid orange roostock because it's so much better for queensland, but tri is ideal for Sydney. Both trees I need homes for have flowers and fruit right now. This is the best CV btw other than the real ricks red, which is crazy hard to get now. Definitely worth ditching another variety you might have to make space for it. Red skin, red vesicles.

Time: 22nd September 2014 1:53pm

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About the Author sternus1
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MaryT1 says...
How do you know if a Rick's Red is 'real' or not, s1? Mine is supposed to be one. I also have a nameless variety given to me by a friend, another one that was a swap and just brought home a Russell River so I won't have room for more. If only they are not so prickly.

Time: 22nd September 2014 2:35pm

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sternus1 says...
If it came from Daleys, it isn't the real Rick's. The real ricks red doesn't have that weird, maroonish/purplish colored skin, it is red--like scarlet red, and so are the vesicles. I'm pretty sure BJ has a real Ricks.

Offer is there if you want to swap one out for red champagne. It will definitely produce better fruit than the daley's ricks and the others. Both good sized trees already. Russel river lime isn't very good for fresh eating out of hand but is good for flavoring things apparently, though I've never tried.

Time: 22nd September 2014 3:32pm

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TMary says...
Ok; guess I would have to wait till they fruit before I know whether they're worth keeping.

Time: 22nd September 2014 4:20pm

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sternus1 says...
Also if they're not grafted, you'll be waiting 10-15 years for fruit, and they do not grow true.

If you change your mind in the interim let me know, I'll hang on to them for a week or so.

s

Time: 22nd September 2014 5:14pm

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TMary says...
Tipped out the content of my pot of sweet potatoes this morning...what a surprise!

Back to SP : Mike you are right; they are Beau's. I brought home some of those you recommended at Rusty's. Hope they will grow here.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3
Picture: 4
Picture: 5

Time: 22nd September 2014 8:11pm

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