growing sweet potato help

[Guest]

Ok for about 3 years I have grown my own slips, however I have not managed to get a crop. (Anyone wanting to know how to grow your own slips you can look at an old thread of VC's - see the link below)

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tubers-10.html

What I would like to know (once you have your slips) is the depth of soil you can plant in, can you get away with growing them in a container/ grow bag, are the plants sensitive to drafts and any other tips and tricks. What has worked for others.

All comments greatly appreciated as always

[marchogaeth]

I grew some in potato bags. They went in very late as the slips were end of season "spesh". I got a reasonable crop but still didn't cover the cost of the slips. the advantage of the bags is that you can control where they set the tubers more easily than the ground. What I don't know is how well they would have cropped in a bed.

I'm about to start some slips off under the grow light but this is their last chance as a crop for me.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Sorry can't help. Bit of a shameless bump of this thread. Been mulling over growing sweet potatoes for a bit (I get sweet potatoes in my veg bag and I keep on thinking (as I chop them up into chips) can I get slips from these). So now I'm thinking where can I get sand and sweet potatoes on Boxing Day?

Well I grow tatties, Oca, Yacon and Masua. Not got much more space to grow more tubers

[Guest]

Well I grow tatties, Oca, Yacon and Masua. Not got much more space to grow more tubers

Ok I am now going to pick on you (everyone else feel free to join in answering questions not picking on FF)

1. How do you cook your yacon? yesterday was the first time I tried it and it was edible but not great and I figure there must me a way to really show off this veg just don't know what.

2. How do you rate masua? I have ummed and arred for a couple of years but I still have not convinced myself yet.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

You can pick on me all you want. My answers will be completely useless.

The Yacon I have only tried raw. Although as they are sweetish, what about chips? Like my sweet potatoes. I should point out I have a quite good diet and only eat sweet potato chips (once every few weeks). My aim though is to make syrup, just need more plants.

Aye the Mashua. Mmmmhhhh what can I say. 2015 will be it's last year if I can't make it tasty. There are a few permaculture websites who are developing recipes using the more unusual tubers - still to find a recipe for mashua

[marchogaeth]

1. How do you cook your yacon? yesterday was the first time I tried it and it was edible but not great and I figure there must me a way to really show off this veg just don't know what.

Saw this on Real Seeds FB page https://www.facebook.com/realseedcat.../posts_to_page

I think this link works! It might be worth asking for recipes on their page.

[Guest]

Yacon is nice raw but I don't tend to do cold dishes in winter. It seems a shame to lose it in curry and stews. I will have to play a bit and see. Also I have a red variety and it is not particularly sweet- the best way I can describe it is as a radish without the tang - does that sound right?

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I'd say more tasteless apple but I know what you mean. Carl Legge is one of the permaculturists into making up recipes.

[veggiechicken]

I have a yacon that was planted 2 years ago. I forgot to dig it up last winter and I'm not sure I want to dig it up now, after your reports

[Guest]

I have a yacon that was planted 2 years ago. I forgot to dig it up last winter and I'm not sure I want to dig it up now, after your reports

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Don't be put off. They are lovely big tubers and pest free none of the faff like most unusual crops. Yesterday was my first try and they were nice, I just feel there must be something you can do with them cooked so they shine in their own right rather than being a bulk veg.

Googling around their main use is as syrup, but I will have a play. I have a few tubers to try out. Yesterday I tried it raw which is yum but I don't do salads in winter although coldslaw is a pos., I tried a piece boiled- fine but a bit boring, roasted- nice but not great IMO, but please don't be put off. Hopefully I will find some way of showing them off and I will let you know

[veggiechicken]

When you do, NG, let me know and I'll dig mine up. Although after 2 years it may be so massive I'll need a JCB

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Forgot to get sweet potatoes today, mind like a sieve

[Snow]

sweet potatoes like warmth and sun. Give them as much as you can. Get them in as soon as safe (they won't tollerate frosts) so they get as many days of sun as they can get. I grew mine in a large container. If possible, get a black one as it will absorb more heat from the sun.
I don't have a greenhouse, but would guess that it must make a big difference!

[Guest]

I forgot I mentioned doing these on the challenge thread sorry.

So quick catch up. I sprouted my tattie (last Nov. I think) Rooted the sprouts around Feb/March as they went a bit temperamental. Planted 4 of them into a hotbed (hotbed being something new to me this year) April/May. The sweet pots are the only thing showing promise in the hotbeds and have got to a point I haven't achieved before. Fingers crossed they keep going

[Penellype]

I bought a sweet potato plant at a garden centre in early July and potted it up into a 30 litre bucket and put it in the greenhouse. The people at the garden centre told me I could grow it up a cane rather than letting it sprawl, which I am attempting to do. So far it is looking happy and growing well, apart from a little slug damage. No idea what's happening under ground though.