Let's grow some sweet potatoes together this year! 🍠🍠🍠

[MissE]

Sweet potatoes need 1200 heat units to produce well. There is a formula:

Day time high + night time low ÷ by 2 and -55. What is left is the number of heat units.

For example, I live in northern MN. It's not really that warm. I will show a typical day.

75+45=120÷2=60-55=5 heat units. It would take 240 days for me to grow sweet potatoes.

However, I have a hoop house.

95+55=150÷2=75-55=20 heat units. That brings the days needed down to 60.

Will they be ready in 60 days? No, they still need around 90 days for the short season type, but I can get the heat units I need for them to form tubers.

 

[PopoMyers]

Sweet potatoes need 1200 heat units to produce well. There is a formula:

Day time high + night time low ÷ by 2 and -55. What is left is the number of heat units.

For example, I live in northern MN. It's not really that warm. I will show a typical day.

75+45=120÷2=60-55=5 heat units. It would take 240 days for me to grow sweet potatoes.

However, I have a hoop house.

95+55=150÷2=75-55=20 heat units. That brings the days needed down to 60.

Will they be ready in 60 days? No, they still need around 90 days for the short season type, but I can get the heat units I need for them to form tubers.

That is the best scientific explanation I've seen. I need a hoop house, then, as well. Our climate is similar, temp wise. Near Puget Sound WA.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I don't know what is going on: Of six sweet potatoes i have tried to start, one developed mold, one has developed just roots, three are just sitting there doing nothing and only one has started to grow slips:

I am so frustrated, last year i set just four potatoes and was overwhelmed with slips, this year almost nothing. My neighbor claims that the stores are treating the sweet potatoes (as well as ordinary potatoes) to prevent people like us from growing them themselves.
There might be something to it, i tried to grow potatoes out of store bought tubers last year and those did not sprout at all, those just rot in the ground.
What is producing slips is a yellow variant, all the orange ones are dong nothing. I bought three additional ones in another store yesterday and have them sitting in water too, let's see. I have until May before i can dare to plant them outside.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I don't know what is going on: Of six sweet potatoes i have tried to start, one developed mold, one has developed just roots, three are just sitting there doing nothing and only one has started to grow slips:

I am so frustrated, last year i set just four potatoes and was overwhelmed with slips, this year almost nothing. My neighbor claims that the stores are treating the sweet potatoes (as well as ordinary potatoes) to prevent people like us from growing them themselves.
There might be something to it, i tried to grow potatoes out of store bought tubers last year and those did not sprout at all, those just rot in the ground.
What is producing slips is a yellow variant, all the orange ones are dong nothing. I bought three additional ones in another store yesterday and have them sitting in water too, let's see. I have until May before i can dare to plant them outside.

I’ve had some that just took longer than others to sprout without being treated though that’s certainly possible too. I’ll be buying plants again this year since all my transplants in the house caught some kind of wilt.

 

[Noreaster Egger]

Anyone growing any of the hawaiian/okinawan purple flesh type with whitish skin? I’ve been looking for Becca’s purple as well.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Anyone growing any of the hawaiian/okinawan purple flesh type with whitish skin? I’ve been looking for Becca’s purple as well.

I would give it a try, if i could get my hands on a potato or two.

 

[tripletfeb]

I grow sweet pots in my raised flower bed every year. I'm in North East Ohio. I just go to the local hardware store, buy what they have started and plant them. They do really well for me! And have the prettiest purple flowers!

 

[PopoMyers]

Sometimes you can find the Hawaiian or Okinawa sweet potatoes at your local asian grocery store.

 

[PopoMyers]

I’ve had some that just took longer than others to sprout without being treated though that’s certainly possible too. I’ll be buying plants again this year since all my transplants in the house caught some kind of wilt.

I also wonder if temperature inside will make a difference? They are tropical loving plants. Warmth should get them going. I am trying to sprout two organic ones in laid down in potting soil in a 75 degree room.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I also wonder if temperature inside will make a difference? They are tropical loving plants. Warmth should get them going. I am trying to sprout two organic ones in laid down in potting soil in a 75 degree room.

Yes, they need warm. Since warm air rises on top of a refrigerator or a tall bookshelf might be your best spot.