Information and discussion for successfully cultivating potatoes, the world's fourth largest crop.
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October 31, 2017 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
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Sweet Potatoes in containers test
I'll call it a success but I need to change a few things next year.
This spring when it was time to plant the garden was soaked so I tried some in a container to see if it was worth the effort. I'm surprised they did this good considering too much rain washed out the fertilizer and then the drought we went through. I didn't help either by not watering or fertilizing them like I should have. I think they would still be growing if I paid more attention to them. Next year I want to use real soil mixed with potting soil and maybe perlite to allow drainage. Fill the containers up to the top to have more room for roots. Fertilize and water regularly. |
October 31, 2017 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Burton, TX
Posts: 294
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And no weevils!!!
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October 31, 2017 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Vancouver Island Canada BC
Posts: 1,253
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Nice! Wish they would grow like that up here.
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November 1, 2017 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Cool, so there is hope for mine. I've not looked. Just assumed
they were rogue being so scraggly. You can clip some cuttings and keep them going/overwinter indoors, or so I've heard...my first attempt growing them this year. |
November 1, 2017 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 56
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Nice. So it can be done!
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November 1, 2017 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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How big were the potatoes?
Worth |
November 1, 2017 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
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Not big enough but that's my fault. It was 4lbs.
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November 30, 2017 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Huntsville
Posts: 35
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How big are the growing containers?
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November 30, 2017 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 1,051
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I tried growing them in grow bags this season. They weren't as hard to get out and not as distorted as when I used hard sided containers. They were on the gutter garden, so had all the water they wanted. The biggest one weighed 1 lb 6 oz.
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November 30, 2017 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
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Those blue containers are about 18 gallons. I'm using old cattle protein tubs farmers use. They're heavy duty so if you can find some they should last for years.
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December 3, 2017 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas Coastal Bend
Posts: 3,205
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When do you plant sweet potatoes and can I buy some slips ready to plant somewhere?
__________________
In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~ |
December 3, 2017 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
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I plant in late April just to make sure we don't have any frost and to let the soil warm up some. You can buy plants but it's easy to start slips yourself and there's plenty of time to get them going.
https://tatorman.com/index.php/produ...ry/beauregard/ |
December 3, 2017 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Yes, easy to start from store bought. I purchased three varieties
of organic, ate 2/3rds of each, then tooth-picked the top 3rd from each....the cut end into water. Some lay a cut whole half lengthways into water. They sprouted easily. Many methods. Just need to change to fresh water often...every few days. Start more than you need. Average one in 5 will rot. Easily 5-15 plants/cuttings from each. Lots of info if you google. This past season was my first try so I did not want to use too much garden space being in such a short NEast growing season. If it worked for me it would certainly work in Texas. Mine grew more fingerling size. Like a fat carrot and 6-8 inches. Still worth it. 2081 I'll have to pot up mine in April-May so they get a head start while waiting for warm soil. |
December 3, 2017 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I just put mine in a container of soil with about half of them sticking out and collect the slips as they grow.
Treat it like a house plant. Worth |
December 3, 2017 | #15 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Quote:
I had no idea what I was doing and surprised to see sprouts popping out everywhere. Unlike potatoes that have pretty clear 'eyes'. In soil I suppose they need to be kept very wet or always at least damp. Since the water glass method is, well, wet. I got spooked about a fungus gnat problem so I went with the water method and I could keep an eye on them for rot. Seems most pros with a good size family plot use the soil method in a bin along with other veg starts under lights. Also did not know sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family and not a nightshade like potatoes. |
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