How To Grow Sweet Potato Slips: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding Sweet Potato Slips

To grow sweet potatoes, it is important to understand what sweet potato slips are. Sweet potato slips are the shoots that sprout from a mature sweet potato. These slips are used to grow new sweet potato plants. When the slips are planted, they will grow into vines that produce sweet potatoes.

To produce slips, you can either place a sweet potato in a jar of water or plant it in soil. When the sweet potato begins to sprout, it will produce slips. Once the slips are around 6-8 inches long, they can be removed from the sweet potato and planted in the ground.

It is important to note that not all sweet potatoes will produce slips. Some sweet potatoes are treated with a sprout inhibitor, which prevents them from sprouting. Therefore, it is important to choose a sweet potato that is not treated with a sprout inhibitor if you want to produce slips.

Overall, understanding sweet potato slips is crucial for successfully growing sweet potatoes. By producing and planting slips, you can grow your own sweet potato plants and enjoy the delicious and nutritious sweet potatoes they produce.

Choosing the Right Sweet Potato

When it comes to growing sweet potato slips, choosing the right sweet potato is crucial to ensure a successful harvest. Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting your sweet potato:

Variety

There are many different varieties of sweet potatoes, each with their own unique flavor and texture. Some popular varieties include Beauregard, Garnet, Jewel, and Hannah. When selecting your sweet potato, choose a variety that is well-suited for your growing region and climate.

Size

When selecting a sweet potato, look for one that is about the size of your fist. Avoid selecting sweet potatoes that are too large or too small, as this can affect the quality of your slips.

Condition

Choose a sweet potato that is firm and free from any soft spots or bruises. Make sure the skin is smooth and free from any cracks or blemishes. If possible, choose a sweet potato that has already started to sprout, as this will make it easier to produce slips.

Organic vs. Non-Organic

If possible, choose an organic sweet potato. Non-organic sweet potatoes are often treated with chemicals that can affect their ability to produce slips. Organic sweet potatoes are also free from harmful pesticides and other chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you choose the right sweet potato for growing sweet potato slips.

Starting Your Sweet Potato Slips

Materials Needed

Before you start growing sweet potato slips, you need to gather the following materials:

Materials	Description
Sweet Potatoes	Choose sweet potatoes that are healthy, firm, and free from blemishes.
Container	Use a container that is deep enough to hold sand or soil and has drainage holes.
Sand or Soil	You can use either sand or soil to grow sweet potato slips.
Water	You need to keep the sand or soil moist to encourage the slips to grow.

Step by Step Process

Follow these simple steps to start growing your sweet potato slips:

1. Fill a container with sand or soil: Fill a container with sand or soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top.

2. Plant your sweet potato: Place your sweet potato in the center of the container, burying it about halfway into the sand or soil.

3. Water your sweet potato: Water your sweet potato until the sand or soil is moist but not waterlogged.

4. Keep your sweet potato warm: Place your container in a warm location, such as a windowsill or greenhouse. Sweet potatoes need warm temperatures to sprout.

5. Wait for the slips to grow: In about two to four weeks, you should start to see small sprouts emerging from the sweet potato.

6. Grow the slips: Continue to water your sweet potato as needed, keeping the sand or soil moist. When the slips are about six inches long, gently pull them from the sand or soil.

Congratulations! You have successfully started your sweet potato slips. Now, you can plant them in your garden or a larger container to continue growing sweet potatoes.

Care and Maintenance of Sweet Potato Slips

Growing sweet potato slips takes time and effort, but the rewards of a bountiful harvest are well worth it. Once you have planted your slips, it is important to take care of them properly to ensure they grow strong and healthy. Here are some tips for caring for your sweet potato slips:

Watering

Sweet potato slips need consistent moisture to grow well. Water them deeply once a week, or whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. A good rule of thumb is to water until the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

Fertilizing

Sweet potato slips require regular fertilization to thrive. Use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply the fertilizer every two weeks, starting two weeks after planting. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates.

Mulching

Mulching can help retain moisture and suppress weeds around your sweet potato slips. Use organic mulch such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings. Apply the mulch in a thick layer around the base of the plants, being careful not to cover the leaves.

Pest Control

Sweet potato slips are susceptible to a variety of pests, including aphids, flea beetles, and whiteflies. Monitor your plants regularly for signs of infestation, such as yellowing leaves or small holes in the leaves. If you notice any pests, use an organic insecticide or insecticidal soap to control the infestation.

Harvesting

Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves begin to yellow and die back. Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden fork, being careful not to damage them. Allow the potatoes to cure in a warm, dry place for 10 to 14 days before storing them in a cool, dark place.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your sweet potato slips grow strong and healthy, and produce a bountiful harvest.

Transplanting and Harvesting

Once your sweet potato slips have grown to about six inches tall, it’s time to transplant them to your garden bed. Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose a location with well-draining soil and full sun exposure. Sweet potatoes need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

2. Dig a hole that’s about six inches deep and twelve inches wide.

3. Add a layer of compost or well-rotted manure to the bottom of the hole.

4. Place the sweet potato slip in the hole and cover the roots with soil. Make sure the stem is above ground level.

5. Space your sweet potato slips about 12 inches apart in rows that are 3 feet apart.

6. Water your sweet potato slips well after transplanting. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

7. Mulch around your sweet potato plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Sweet potatoes take about 100 to 150 days to mature. You’ll know they’re ready to harvest when the leaves start to yellow and the vines start to wither. Here’s how to harvest sweet potatoes:

1. Use a garden fork to carefully loosen the soil around the sweet potato plants.

2. Gently pull the sweet potatoes out of the soil by hand. Be careful not to damage them.

3. Brush off any excess soil and let the sweet potatoes dry in the sun for a few hours.

4. Store your sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place. They’ll keep for several months if stored properly.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully grown and harvested your own sweet potatoes!