Growing Sweet Potatoes: A Guide to Pot and Garden Cultivation
, commonly known as sweet potato, belongs to the same family as bindweed, explaining its rapid foliage proliferation.
Sweet potato cultivation ranks seventh globally, following wheat, rice, corn, potatoes, barley, and cassava, with China leading in production.
Pot Cultivation:
- Materials:
- Large pot with saucer
- Shard or flat stone
- Potting soil or mix with garden soil (50% each)
- Large stake
- Sweet potato
- Pot Selection:
- Choose a large, deep terracotta pot with drainage holes and a saucer. This allows ample space for the growing sweet potatoes, both the mother tuber and its offspring.
- Planting:
- Insert a shard to cover the pot hole, preventing soil escape.
- Optionally, add a layer of fine gravel at the bottom for drainage.
- Fill the pot with potting soil or a mix, creating a blend that retains moisture.
Plant Care:
Light:
Sweet potatoes thrive in various light conditions but prefer shade to avoid leaf damage. Place the pot near a window with indirect sunlight.
Watering:
Water the plant sparingly initially, gradually increasing as green stems emerge. Avoid water accumulation in the saucer. Adjust watering based on environmental conditions.
Fertilization:
Sweet potatoes don’t require frequent fertilization. If desired, use a low-nitrogen orchid-specific fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Additional Tips:
- Provide natural light without direct sunlight.
- Avoid placing the plant against hot windows to prevent leaf burn.
- Keep indoor plants away from heat sources like radiators to prevent drying.
- In outdoor gardens, prevent powdery mildew by allowing sweet potatoes to climb on fences or trees.
Outdoor Garden Cultivation:
- Start sweet potatoes indoors in February and transplant after the frost risk passes.
- Plant directly in the vegetable garden or large containers in April, ensuring sturdy staking for climbing.
- Harvest after 6 months in open ground, ensuring light, enriched soil.
Sweet potatoes, both versatile and resilient, can be a rewarding addition to your garden or indoor space, providing an abundance of nutritious tubers with proper care and attention.
