- Side-dress the sweet potato plants 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting with 5-10-10 fertilizer. If you have sandy soil, use more.
- Weed the sweet potato beds regularly starting 2 weeks after planting.
- Avoid deep digging with a hoe or other tool that disturbs the delicate feeder roots.
- Water regularly, especially during mid-summer. Deep watering in hot, dry periods will help to increase yields.
- Do not prune sweet potato vines; they should be vigorous.
- Late in the season, reduce watering to avoid cracking of the sweet’s skin—a problem in storage.
What is the best fertilizer for sweet potatoes?
Water with a high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer, then water generously for 7 to 10 days to make sure that the plants root well. See more tips for growing sweet potatoes.
How do you plant and care for sweet potatoes?
Here’s how to plant, care for, and harvest sweet potatoes! A large, naturally sweet-tasting root of the morning glory family (not related to potatoes), sweet potatoes are a very undemanding crop to grow as long as you have sun and warm soil; this is a tropical plant. Sweet potatoes are drought- and heat-tolerant and have few pests or diseases.
What nutrients do sweet potatoes need to grow?
Sweet potato vines, which can grow to lengths of 15 to 20 feet, and the developing sweet potatoes require a healthy amount of nutrients from the soil over the long growing season. Experts vary in their recommendations for the exact ratio of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus to add.
How to grow sweet potatoes from seed?
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes Side-dress the potatoes 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting with 3 pounds of 5-10-10 fertilizer per 100 feet of row. Hoe the beds occasionally to keep weeds down. For good harvests, do not prune the vines, because they should be vigorous. Remember to keep the plants watered.
What is best fertilizer for sweet potatoes?
Soil pH and Fertilizer A crop of sweet potatoes utilizes about 110 pounds of nitrogen, 15 pounds of phosphorus, and 150 pounds of potassium per acre from the soil. Based on OSU soil test results, the following amounts of P2O5 (phosphorus) and K2O (potassium) are recommended (Table 2).
Should I feed sweet potato plants?
Don't fertilize your sweet potatoes at planting time — they don't require much in the way of nutrients. An excess of nitrogen will encourage leafy growth rather than big tubers. The best soil for sweet potatoes is loose and rich in organic matter.
What do I feed my sweet potato vine?
Sweet potato vines thrive best when a balanced slow-release 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer is applied. Use either organic or non-organic fertilizer since this plant will not produce an edible crop.
How do you fertilize sweet potato vines?
How to Fertilize Ornamental Sweet Potato VinesCultivate a fertile, well-draining spot outdoors in full sun for your ornamental sweet potato vine 10 to 14 days before you wish to plant.Apply a balanced 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 slow-release fertilizer to the planting area.More items...
Is Epsom salt good for sweet potato plants?
Epsom salt. Add some Epsom salt to the soil while planting to help promote magnesium which will help build walls of Sweet Potato. For a more direct approach, 1 tablespoon can be mixed with a gallon of water and applied directly as a foliar spray on the leaves.
What nutrients do sweet potatoes need?
Of the “big three” nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K), potassium plays the largest role in a full and healthy crop. Sweet potatoes need plenty of K, (~150-200 pounds per acre, as opposed to ~60 pounds of both nitrogen and phosphorus per acre)1.
Should I fertilize sweet potato vine?
Caring For Sweet Potato Vines in Pots Deep watering once or twice a week is recommended. Fertilizing is not necessary and can cause a leggy plant. Prune regularly to remove dead and dry leaves.
How do you take care of a sweet potato plant?
Once established, sweet potatoes will tolerate growing in dry soil. It's best to keep it evenly moist with 1 inch of water given once a week. Don't water your sweet potatoes during the final three to four weeks prior to harvest to prevent the mature tubers from splitting.
Why are the leaves on my sweet potato vine turning yellow?
The most common nutritional cause of yellowing leaves is a lack of nitrogen. Treat with a nitrogen rich fertilizer. Yellowing leaves can also be the sign of a magnesium deficiency, since plants use magnesium to make the chlorophyll that keeps their leaves green and healthy.
Are coffee grounds good for sweet potatoes?
Using coffee grounds on your potatoes work absolutely fine. Adding coffee grounds to your potato plants helps in giving them a considerable growth. You can add the grounds in form of a coffee compost blend and you can as well mix coffee compost with leafmold.
How do I grow bigger sweet potatoes?
5:1317:58Grow More & Bigger Sweet Potatoes! - Phosphorus/Fertilizing, Soil Temp ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you know these are good sizes i think i could get larger sweet potatoes i cut open the largerMoreAnd you know these are good sizes i think i could get larger sweet potatoes i cut open the larger one it was not fibrous so larger sweet potatoes doesn't mean that the quality is poorer. And then
Do sweet potato vines need a lot of water?
Water. Sweet potato vines are drought-tolerant, though they will grow more vigorously with frequent watering. Water enough to keep the soil consistently moist but not overly wet.
Ornamental Sweet Potato Info
The ornamental sweet potato plant (Ipomoea butatas) is somewhat different from its southern grown vegetable sibling. While it does produce edible s...
Types of Ornamental Sweet Potatoes
When growing ornamental sweet potato vines, there are a number of varieties to choose from. Popular types of ornamental sweet potatoes include: 1....
How to Grow An Ornamental Sweet Potato Plant
You might be asking yourself about how to grow an ornamental sweet potato plant. Growing sweet potato vines is not too difficult. They are easily p...
Care of Sweet Potato Plants
The care of sweet potato plants is similar to most other vining houseplants in the home, spending summers outdoors. While tolerant of drought, thes...
How to grow sweet potatoes in the soil?
To provide soil optimal for healthy sweet potato growth, the addition of soil amendments and side-dressings of fertilizer may be required. For example, agricultural lime can be added to alter soil pH, and dolomitic or calcitic lime can improve soil with low levels of magnesium. A second application of fertilizer can be added as a side-dressing two to four weeks after sweet potatoes have been planted. A low-nitrogen, high-potash fertilizer is recommended for side-dressing, placed 3 inches deep and 4 inches alongside young vines.
What is the best soil pH for sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes grow best with a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.0. If soil is heavy with clay, adding rich organic matter like compost, leaves and grass clipping will help to loosen soil and improve drainage. Lastly, a low-nitrogen fertilizer can be added before planting.
Why are my sweet potatoes growing so skinny?
Too little nitrogen fertilizer will result in a lackluster harvest as well. Plants that have been fed with fertilizer with insufficient potassium will grow long, skinny, malformed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes grown in soil deficient of boron will develop a blister disorder that causes stunted plant growth and raised bumps to form on the root surface. Blister can be prevented by adding Borax to soil.
What percentage of sweet potatoes are grown in North Carolina?
North Carolina produces more than 40 percent of sweet potatoes in the United States, but gardeners with long growing seasons can easily raise their own at home.
What is the nutritional value of sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes, which are thick roots and not true potatoes, are rich in calcium, potassium, iron and vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber.
Can sweet potatoes be over fertilized?
Sweet potato plants that produce lush foliage but yield few roots have been over- fertilized with nitrogen. Too little nitrogen fertilizer will result in a lackluster harvest as well. Plants that have been fed with fertilizer with insufficient potassium will grow long, skinny, malformed sweet potatoes.
How to propagate sweet potato tuber?
They are easily propagated either from small rooted pieces from the eye buds of the tuber or by stem cuttings–no plant seeds to worry with as with their morning glory cousin. Place your sweet potato tuber in a glass of water with the top third exposed by securing it in place with toothpicks.
What is the best plant to grow in a small container?
Suitable for small containers. Blackie – Nearly black foliage with deep cut leaves. Marguerite – Bold, chartreuse green foliage with heart-shaped leaves. Tricolor – Another less vigorous grower with small pointy leaves that are multicolored and variegated in shades of green, pink and white.
Can sweet potato vines be grown?
Growing sweet potato vines is something every gardener should consider. Grown and cared for like average houseplants, these attractive vines add a little something extra to the home or patio. Keep reading for more ornamental sweet potato info.
Can sweet potato vines be planted in water?
Stem cuttings can also be placed in water with rooting taking place within a few weeks. Sweet potato vines enjoy a bright, sunny location outdoors with similar conditions in the home. They also thrive in heat. Give them well-draining soil whether they are grown in pots or in the ground.
Is sweet potato a vegetable?
The ornamental sweet potato plant ( Ipomoea butatas) is somewhat different from its southern grown vegetable sibling. While it does produce edible sweet potato tubers (albeit not very palatable and bitter), the ornamental variety bears more colorful foliage, making it a popular houseplant.
Can sweet potato plants be kept moist?
The care of sweet potato plants is similar to most other vining houseplants in the home, spending summers outdoors. While tolerant of drought, these plants prefer to be kept moist (not soggy).
Why fertilize sweet potato vines?
Continuously fertilizing ornamental sweet potato vines enhances lush growth and minimizes cultural problems, such as phosphorous and magnesium deficiencies, as well as stress-related conditions. The practice also helps control pests such as tortoise beetle, root-knot nematode and microscopic soil roundworms. Writer Bio.
What zone is sweet potato?
Winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, ornamental sweet potato vines thrive happily as annuals in cooler climates and excel as houseplants.
Why is it important to feed potatoes while growing?
The most important thing about potato feed while growing is ensuring they get the correct nutrition during their growth stage. This can lead to producing better yields than usual.
How Can Gardeners Increase Potato Yields?
Potatoes have high water with nutrient requirements, and the crop can be susceptible to diseases. As a result, potato growers need to take care of their crops all year round. This means frequent inspections and the use of pesticides. Because of these problems, gardeners are looking for better ways to grow potatoes without the risk of disease or pests.
What Are the Factors That Affect Potato Growth?
Many factors affect potato growth, and many of these are external to the potato itself. The amount of light available is critical for potatoes. If enough light is not t available, they will grow spindly.
How Deep Should I Plant Potato Seeds To Increase Yields?
Some gardeners have had bad potato growth experiences, and they don’t know why. They might be planting potatoes too deep or putting them in the ground too early, but the best way to ensure your yields are good is to plant them at the correct depth and wait until the soil warms up.
What is the best way to increase potato yield?
Potato feed for increased yields includes everything from fertilizer, fertilizer application techniques, and irrigation practices to plant spacing . Using a combination of these methods, gardeners can increase yield potential through better potato cultivation practices.
How do potatoes grow?
The soil composition also affects how well potatoes grow. Potatoes enjoy good drainage and plenty of organic matter, such as compost or peat moss. In particular, the soil should be well-drained so that the plants do not get too wet when it rains or it snows.
Why are potatoes grown in colder zones?
Potato plants are often grown in colder zones due to their lower water needs and generally shorter growing season. In warmer zones, people recommend that you grow potatoes as a cover crop.
How to keep sweet potato plants from splitting?
Water you sweet potato plants weekly since a regular watering schedule will help prevent the sweet potato skin from splitting. Keep in mind sweet potatoes grow best in soil with a pH of 5.8 and 6.2, but they will also tolerate more acidic soil, such as with a pH as low as 5.0.
What are the pests that eat sweet potatoes?
Pests: Some of the common pests affecting sweet potatoes include the sweet potato stem borer and the white grub. The sweet potato borer larvae will bore into the stem of the sweet potato and feed in the crown area. This causes wilting, yellowing and the plant will die.
How to grow sweet potatoes from a slip?
They are grown from slips, which are a rooted portion of a mature sweet potato. To obtain a sweet potato slip, cut a sweet potato in half lengthwise and bury each half in damp potting soil. Keep the slips moist and warm, and shoots should sprout within a few days . Leaves will follow the shoots.
What does "certified sweet potato slips" mean?
You can find a large variety of certifies sweet potato slips, which means that the slips have been inspected for pests and diseases, at Urban Farmer.
Why are my sweet potato leaves turning brown?
Alternaria leaf spot causes brown lesions on the leaves with rings. Lesions usually occur on the older leaves. Stems may be affected, too. If the problem is bad enough, defoliation may occur. To prevent this disease, destroy all of the sweet potato residue immediately following harvest and plant resistant sweet potato varieties. Be sure to plant only disease-free seed.
How to prevent corky lesions on sweet potatoes?
To prevent this disease, avoid using overhead irrigation, destroy all crop residue immediately after harvest, and apply appropriate fungicides. Pox will cause poor plant growth and a reduced yield. Corky lesions will be in a V shape on the tubers. To prevent this, use resistant varieties of sweet potatoes.
What to watch out for when growing vegetables?
When growing vegetables, it is always exciting to care for the plant throughout its growing phase and then harvest it for delicious recipes later on, but one thing to watch out for is pests and diseases. Different plants are susceptible to different types of pests and diseases, and it is important to make yourself aware so you can keep a watchful eye and also take any preventative methods to keep your plants safe throughout their lifespan.
Quick Guide to Growing Sweet Potatoes
Plant sweet potatoes in warm soil about a month after the last spring frost.
Soil, Planting, and Care
Growing sweet potatoes works best in loamy, well-drained soil. Ideally, the pH should be between 5.8 and 6.2, although they will tolerate a more acidic pH (down to 5.0). Before planting, thoroughly dampen the bed. If your soil is heavy clay, try growing sweet potatoes in raised beds filled with soil designed for that growing environment.
Troubleshooting
Deer love to nibble tender sweet potato leaves, so you may need to deter them with floating row covers. Japanese beetles and other leaf-eating insects may cause light damage, but sweet potatoes are so vigorous that they usually outgrow foliage pest problems. More troublesome are pests that might attack the tubers.
Harvest and Storage
Sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest just as the ends of the vines begin to turn yellow, or just before frost in the North. To avoid injuring tubers, find the primary crown of the plant you want to dig, and then use a digging fork to loosen an 18-inch wide circle around the plant.
FAQs
Sweet potatoes are a tropical vine so they need several months of warm weather. Mulching planting beds with black plastic warms soil - perfect for giving plants a touch of the tropics and reducing weeds. Many of today's varieties are better adapted to growing in shorter seasons than varieties were years ago.
Why are sweet potato plants not edible?
These green fruits that grow from the sweet potato plant’s flowers are not edible because of the solanine they contain . Solanine is a toxic alkaloid. Consuming solanine has a variety of negative effects, including confusion, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, drowsiness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and weak or rapid pulse. ...
Do sweet potatoes flower?
Answer: Not all sweet potato plants flower as part of their growth cycle near the end of the growing season. But, some sweet potato plants will produce flowers on their own. Flowering happens for some sweet potato plants and not others depending on the climate (specifically, whether nighttime temperatures have dropped low enough for the sweet potato plants to flower) and the fertilization. Plenty of fertilizer and nutrition is required for a sweet potato plant to produce flowers. Eventually, the flowers turn into small green fruits that resemble a tomato. Plants that do not flower will not set fruit, but they will still develop the tubers underground that we eat and commonly refer to as the sweet potato.
Can you eat sweet potato plants if you have children?
Those who experience solanine poisoning and do not seek treatment are at risk of death due to respiratory failure. If you have children or children are often exposed to the plants in your garden, it’s safest to remove the small green fruits from your sweet potato plant to prevent the risk of a curious child ingesting them.
