Sweet Potato Slips

thedudefrom1976

9 years ago

So there is some info on the internet about getting sweet potato slips going in jars etc., but no info on potential problems of such an undertaking. I have been trying this on 3 separate batches of sweet potatoes.

I can't get one slip to pop.

I bought organic ones that were in a cold storage type area in an organic market and they rotted (I assume the cold killed them).

I bought two types of typical store bought (non organic) and they both molded/rotted in the glass jars.

I tried in sun/florescent and in regular room light, all rotted.

Please, please tell me how the heck to do this because all these videos, blogs etc. on the internet make it like you stick them in water and viola!

Thanks in advance happy growing!

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Comments (12)

User
9 years ago
putting them in jar is wrong way to go.

put them in pot and cover them in fresh damp potting soil water once week. till they sprout

then harvest the slips at four inches in length.
thedudefrom1976
Original Author
9 years ago
Well thanks for that I have the strength to try again now, but what about light? Pretend its a seed basically?
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farmerdill
9 years ago
The water technique usually works. You only put about a quarter of the sweet potato root end down in water. potting soil works as well, just don keep the sprouting end too wet. They need temps of 70 or more once sprouted the need light, but a sunny window is sufficient.
thedudefrom1976
Original Author
9 years ago
I appreciate the tips but as I stated I did a lot of research on it. All these things I know about. What I'm looking for is new info on problems with doing this.
thedudefrom1976
Original Author
9 years ago
Another words yes to changing water, yes to right side up planting. Sorry for confusion.
Shayne Campbell
9 years ago
I see your problem. You stated you bought your sweet potatos at a marker.
Many potatos, including organic are spray with a anti-sprouting agent.

Both the methods mentioned previously work. Just use what is best for you.
dirtguy50 SW MO z6a
9 years ago
grid, putting them in water is NOT the wrong way. It works just fine. There is more than one way to successfully propagating slips .
thedudefrom1976
Original Author
9 years ago
Here's an update and maybe some hope on the horizon. I was looking at my worm bin which I had fed some of the failed sweet potatoes to and noticed i made some of the chunk too big so I decided to take them out and cut them up. I found roots on the cut up sweet potato pieces! I have decided that the best possible chance to grow slips is what Gridgardner said and that is to keep them moist in soil. Thanks for those that posted, I guess as usual sometimes things work for folks that doesn't work for others.
jeanwedding. zone 6
9 years ago
yeah screen colors are hard on my old eyes with eye problems.. but good info here.....

Hey isnt it a little early ?.....luckily still eating mine. but so warm upstairs scared they will dry out.. some did last year.... I hate winter...and snow

anxious to grow my stuff again.. yummy gbeans,,,,, melons,,,,drool thinking about them...... lots of work but God blessed me last year with lots except tomatoes dried up...... ah well

cause I bought quite a bit from nice local guy. so finished all of his, before I started on mine.. ALL organic.....MINE

yall ever cut them up in slices and bake in oven in coconut oil.....YUMMMMMY

heck here in Ky we have prob a foot of snow on the ground and single digit temperatures...

.putting in water worked for me for the last two years.. But I did it late .I am surprised I got many plants. plus was out of room in my 7..... 3 sq feet tall wooden boxes lined with lslandscape fabric and hdwe cloth under that...

need to move the things soon.. Hubby said they need to go closer to the garden itself.... that will be a job emptying and moving all..
Larry Welch
9 years ago
It was suggested to me that anti sprouting chemical could be washed off of super market SPs in order grow slips. Has anyone here done this? I'm tempted to give it a try but wonder if the store would be able to identify the variety on hand.
thedudefrom1976
Original Author
9 years ago
It can't be washes off its soaked through the tuber. That being said a small percentage of tubers resist over time ( maybe the agent wears out???) and sprout anyway. Jean yes its early but I have a grow closet with lights and wanted to get slips growing indoors so that come warm weather I can start a succession planting.