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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2008 22:09:04 GMT
Glad this has sparked some interest, I am a budget gardener and that is why I wanted to give this a try, although my main concern is that we won't have a warm enough summer for the sweet pototoes to form a decent crop, that is the 'wait and see' bit I suppose. Tig Truly inspirational stuff! As far as I can see you have done everything absolutely perfectly. Will be interested to see how/what you do when you plant them out. Fascinating stuff
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Post by Tig on Mar 26, 2008 11:04:00 GMT
For those who are interested the 'slip' put into water on the 19th March has started to form roots (you should just be able to see them forming from halfway along the stem like two cream fangs, sorry photo isn't clearer) Tig
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 31, 2008 17:41:56 GMT
Tig you have greenfingers, thats a fact. Nothing hapening for me yet, well no slips. The root that was growing from the part in the compo has grown more, I gave it a teeny weeny tug and it tugged back so I'll tug no more ;D Want some slips to grow
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Post by Tig on Apr 1, 2008 13:03:50 GMT
Chuckles be patient If my results were anything to go by you will have your first slip showing by the 10th April. Keep the little fella warm and wet, it is only a matter of time, you started two months after me!! I reckon we will both get a crop of some sort, and that will be result enough for me x Tig
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Post by Chuckles on Apr 4, 2008 10:11:27 GMT
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Post by Tig on Apr 4, 2008 10:49:20 GMT
It must have been very confused Chuckles - but Hope it gets growing soon, upwards and onwards ;D x Tig
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Apr 4, 2008 11:07:06 GMT
Chuckles, It MOST likly isn't You skills at the "root" sorry fer the pun of your problem, it may well be where you purchased your tuber. A majority of market sweet potatoes are treated to prevent sprouting, and IF they do sprout after treatment, the roots and shoots will look like those pics, quite twisted and gnarled. Here, we must purchase tubers for "slipping" at the Organic market!
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Post by Tig on Apr 4, 2008 23:07:31 GMT
That's good to know Phil, although I'm not sure that many idiots adventurous gardeners here in the UK would be trying to grow their own slips Just a couple of 'mad women' x Tig
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Post by Tig on Apr 7, 2008 20:01:17 GMT
I have six potted up now, three 'getting there' size on the mother spud and two eyes just starting to grow. I wonder how many we will get in total? Recommended spacing for planting out is 12"-18" apart, 36" between rows I still haven't decided where they are going to get the best growing conditions in the space I have available x Tig
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Post by Tig on Apr 13, 2008 22:25:16 GMT
Two more 'slips' removed today. One from below soil level with roots attached potted straight away. Other was above soil (compost if I am pedantic) and I removed it before I did the rooted one. It has wilted - wonder if that is 'cos I didn't stick it in straight away I have cut into the stem to give it a chance to take up the water - see how it looks in the morning Chuckles how are yours doing? x Tig
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Post by Chuckles on Apr 14, 2008 7:23:00 GMT
I reckon I'm gonna fail Tig. Go on hols in 10 days and I currently have 5 slips showing but the biggest is only just 1" I'm hoping for a growth spurt so I can at least get 1 or 2 off and potted up. Did wonder about putting it in the HP which is running at 20c atm.
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Post by Tig on Apr 14, 2008 13:10:45 GMT
I would be tempted to leave them on the mother spud until after your hols. Is someone going to water stuff for you? Provided they stay damp and not too hot you could have monster slips to come home to
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Post by Tig on May 2, 2008 19:43:42 GMT
I have put them out into the cold frame today, and hopefully they will be OK. Looking to plant them in about two weeks time if it gets a bit warmer. Tig
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Post by Tig on May 4, 2008 17:43:53 GMT
UPDATE They have grown over an inch since I put them out in the cold frame yesterday It is only a small home-made job and they are now touching the glass lid!! They may be planted out tomorrow x Tig
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Post by Tig on May 6, 2008 23:06:25 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on May 28, 2008 15:22:31 GMT
I'm still with ya Tig Mother still has 2 slips growing, the beige pot is a gonna it was the biggest slip I had just before hols and had good roots on so I planted it, it died The other 3 I took off mother too and just potted them up. 2 are hanging on in there, the one on the left seems to have really gone for it and they were all the same size ish.
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Post by Tig on May 28, 2008 15:38:01 GMT
Well done Chuckles, I have nearly got enough to start a commercial venture ;D Shame you lost a good one, typical isn't it? If you're passing through Staffordshire I can let you have a few more x Tig
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Post by Tig on May 29, 2008 15:47:06 GMT
Here are the ones I planted out, starting to get a bit of growth on them (pomegrantes in pots) ..
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Post by Chuckles on Jun 21, 2008 19:57:39 GMT
Ooooh Tig you are looking very professional there with those plants I watched some of GW on iplayer this morning while munching brekky, as I scanned through I was well excited to see them doing Sweet Potatoes. Managed to make mental note of .......like acidic soil, wigwams, 1kilo off each plant, can nip tops off if get too tall, compo and manure, enjoy moisture, good mulch, can use leaves as salad garnish, frost rots them, make chips, cook in oven or fry, eat raw like carrot ;D I've still got a couple going in the GH, not anywhere near as lush looking as yours are. They are going to be put in larger tubs and take their chance in the next few days. I'm going to keep them in the GH or in the poly kennel, wherever I can find room really I'm not antisipating getting a crop really because I started so late. Next year I'll be on the starting block ;D
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Post by Tig on Jun 21, 2008 20:01:22 GMT
I think they will do better in the GH Chuckles They like warm, mine are having to cope with whatever the weather throws at us I was pleased to hear that the the RHS were trialing them and Joe was a willing 'guinea pig'
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Post by carolann on Jun 22, 2008 9:10:40 GMT
Hi you two, I'm still watching and reading this thread to see how you are both getting on with the Spuds. Tig did all those plants come off just one potato? Chucks I'm sure you will get some kind of crop off yours don't forget that you planted your a lot later than Tig so you may have to look after them towards the back end. Please both of you keep up the great work, you are both Potato Pioneers so be proud of what you have both done so far. I know that I would be. PS. Next time at the GC I will check out if their Sweet Spuds are organic.
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Post by Tig on Jun 22, 2008 11:44:33 GMT
All from the same mother spud Carolann, and she is still producing - I have some more to go in another area when I have harvested some beans I must admit they have not grown a great deal, they are not climbing the little fence yet! x Tig
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Post by carolann on Jun 22, 2008 13:20:21 GMT
Wow thats some potato you have got, all those babies. Thoses on GW on Friday night looked more like climbing beans and Joe was growing them up Wigwams. Will keep finger crossed that you get some kind of crop. Keep us posted on the progress please as its been most enjoyable reading all through this thread, and you never no I just may have a go next year in the little GH. Thanks Tig.
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Post by jean on Jun 28, 2008 21:29:58 GMT
They are looking really good Tig I'm having a go too but I'm miles behind you. I'm hoping that growing them in the GH will give them enough time to get a crop
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Post by Chuckles on Jun 28, 2008 22:08:05 GMT
Well it looks like I've only got one good plant it's now in an 18" deep plastic tub in the GH. I suppose the other two might just put on a growth spurt so I'll try and keep them going. Good luck everyone
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Post by jean on Jul 1, 2008 20:32:18 GMT
Some home grown slips before cutting (They came from the supermarket )
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Post by Tig on Jul 2, 2008 10:17:41 GMT
Hurrah even more (what was it Carolann called us??) ah yes - potato pioneers ;D
Are you growing yours in the GH or PT Jlottie? Have you got them planted and growing up anything?
x Tig
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Post by jean on Jul 2, 2008 21:02:14 GMT
Hurrah even more (what was it Carolann called us??) ah yes - potato pioneers ;D Are you growing yours in the GH or PT Jlottie? Have you got them planted and growing up anything? x Tig Lol Tig, I said you were miles ahead of me - not sure where I'm growing them yet as they have only just getting a good root system, probably will try inside and out just to see what happens
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Post by Tig on Jul 2, 2008 22:32:40 GMT
I reckon they will do better inside, a little bit more heat and control over the water, I can't wait to see if we get anything worth harvesting But even if I don't I will have learned a lot from trying, and enjoyed myself in the process ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 6, 2008 16:57:19 GMT
Hey JL I missed you last time I was on this thread, welcome to the Sweet Potato mad house ;D It's that Tig you know she's the mad one Ok, this is my effort which is now in the GH in a tub that is about 18" deep. It's not doing bad considering it's a late starter and I'm sure hoping it is going to go into grow grow grow mode soooooon, any day now The other one I had I've sort of given up on.
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