Sweet potatoes aren’t grown from seeds; they are cultivated from slips, which are rooted sprouts from mature sweet potatoes. Whether you’re ordering sweet potato slips online or growing your own, here’s a detailed guide on how to do it effectively.
Timing:
Begin the process 8-12 weeks before your planting date for sweet potatoes. Adjust the timing based on your local climate and planting window.
Methods for Growing Sweet Potato Slips:
There are three primary methods for growing sweet potato slips, each with its own advantages and considerations:
1. Traditional Water Method:
- Suspends the sweet potato in water using toothpicks.
- Suitable if you have ample time before planting and don’t have indoor lighting.
- Pros: Simple
- Cons: Takes longer; requires frequent changing of water.
2. Indoor Soil Method:
- Involves planting sweet potatoes in soil indoors.
- Faster than the traditional water method, usually taking around 4-6 weeks.
- Pros: Quickest method
- Cons: Requires indoor lighting and heat mat, soil must be kept moist.
3. Outdoor Soil Method:
- Best for warm climates, involves planting sweet potatoes directly in outdoor soil.
- Takes 4-6 weeks once the soil is warm enough.
- Pros: Easiest method; does not require any upkeep if your garden is already being watered.
- Cons: Soil must be warm before you begin. Areas with short-growing seasons may not have enough time to produce slips.
Before You Begin:
The first step for all three methods is to choose a healthy organic sweet potato. Organic potatoes are less likely to be treated with a sprout inhibitor.
Do you have a sweet potato beginning to sprout in the cupboard? Perfect! Now you have a head start in whichever method for sprouting sweet potato slips you choose.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Each Method:
Each method has its own set of steps for growing sweet potato slips. Here’s a brief overview:
Traditional “Water Method”:
- Suspend the sweet potato in a jar of water.
- Ensure the rooting end is submerged.
- Provide warmth and light for faster growth.
- Change water regularly until roots and sprouts develop.
Indoor Soil Method:
- Fill a foil pan with potting soil.
- Nestle sweet potatoes in the soil, covering about half of them.
- Keep soil moist and provide warmth and light.
- Remove slips once they reach 5-6 inches long.
Outdoor Soil Method:
- Bury sweet potatoes halfway in warm soil.
- Use a milk jug or cloche to warm the soil.
- Keep soil moist and monitor for sprouting.
- Remove slips once they reach 5-6 inches long.
Next Steps:
- When sprouts are about 5-6 inches tall, remove them from the sweet potato by carefully twisting off or cutting off at soil level.
- Remove lower leaves from sprouts and let “root” in a jar of water. Roots will develop quickly; you should begin to see roots in 1-2 days.
- Placing the jar on a seed germination mat for warmth and under a grow light will speed up the process of developing roots.
- Keep the water level high in the jar. Switch out the water about once a week to keep the water fresh. Discard wilted or rotten slips.
- Once roots are fully formed and several inches long, it’s time to plant.
- Plant the rooted sweet potato slips about 12-18 inches apart and 4 inches deep.
- Water newly-planted slips well.
One sweet potato will produce a dozen or more sprouts. Allow sweet potato to continue rooting and producing slips until you have as many as you (and your neighbors) need.
